For those contemplating investment in fine wine as part of an overall investment portfolio, the latter part of 2008 serves as a good barometer for the resilience of this market.

As predicted, the initial dip seen last October, attributed to the large sell-off of investment grade wines as global economies turned sour, is starting to show signs of sustained recovery, thanks in large part to the unique supply and demand characteristics that influence this market. Increasing worldwide demand for these wines, particularly from the Asian market, has resulted in an inverse supply curve and prices ticking back up.

It would appear that Hong Kong’s intentions are clear in wanting to become the trading hub for fine wines in the region by adopting a zero tax policy on wines and spirits to replace the 40% tax levied previously. This, combined with the weak sterling, has been the catalyst for the major auction houses, (Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Acker Merrill), setting up shop in Hong Kong and enjoying considerable success. Traditionally, these same auction houses hold their monthly sales of fine wines in London and New York to provide added value to their core of art buying clients, which stands in contrast with the fledgling market developing in Hong Kong where wine has taken centre stage.

Rather than being ‘wine investors’, the profile of buyers in the East Asian region suggests that they are buying for consumption rather than profit, however with such a strong track record of performance within the established market, we feel it is only a matter of time before speculation begins to play a greater role and further contribute to the longevity of this present growth cycle.

Although it is often said that the market for fine wines is the last to feel the impact of any economic upheaval and the first to show recovery, there is no substitute for seeing this principal put to the test as indeed we have over the last 10 months.

What has become apparent is that rather than there being a period of inactivity – consumption, collection and speculation have remained unhindered leaving auctioneers bullish and investors currently still able to buy investment grade wines at an advantageous price, indicating probable growth in the medium as well as long term.

www.wilsondouglas.co.uk

[email protected]

What do you buy the person who has everything? Clothes? The latest gadget? One of those experience days? No, not hitting the spot? Then you need to think outside the box. You need something that is both pleasurable but also useful.

So how about something that will tickle their taste buds in the form of their favourite tipple. But not a lone bottle of Champagne picked from the supermarket shelves, or a selection of spirits to make some celebratory cocktails. No, for a truly great gift and something a little different why not opt for wine vouchers?
Satisfying all the senses – sight, smell, sound, touch and most importantly taste, wine vouchers are the ideal present for someone hard to buy for, a gift they themselves can then tailor to meet their specific tastes and will certainly put a smile on their face.

Naked Wines is the ideal place to find such a gift.  A kind of farmer’s market for small wine makers producing some of the most exciting wines in the world, Naked Wines will introduce your gift recipient to delicious, blow-your-socks-off, dazzling wines.

Starting from £30 up to £100, Naked Wines vouchers can be purchased and emailed in seconds to your gift recipient, giving them access to some of the finest wines from producers who don’t have the financial muscle to get on to the UK supermarket shelves. The vouchers are redeemable against any of the wines featured on the Naked Wines’ site, and the recipient can browse at their leisure!
What’s more, before they buy, your gift recipient can speak directly to the winemakers and other Naked Wines customers to get a feel for the wines they’ve picked out. Experienced wine advisors are also on hand to offer free advice. Next day delivery is standard as is a full refund if you don’t like any of the wines.

So instead of popping to the supermarket and picking up a bottle of what you think is half decent plonk, why not try out a Naked Wines Gift Voucher? Delivered to the recipient via email as soon as it’s purchased, the recipient can pick out something to suit their tastes.

To buy your wine vouchers of for more information visit- www.nakedwines.com

Contact Details:
Francesca Krajewski
Web Site: http://www.nakedwines.com
Email:[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tel:07905 449 592
Direct Line – 020 8732 8867
Mobile – 07930 408 224

Address:
Sackville House
44-44Magdalen Street
Norwich
NR31JU
United Kingdom

What could be better for Christmas than a case of wonderful wine to enjoy with your friends and family?

Laithwaites are rolling out the red carpet. They have selected a range of the very best wines around at the moment and invite you to join them in drinking them. This very special selection of wine is called – Wines of the Year 2008, the Grand Champions.  This is because they are all super medal winners and wines that have been recognized by the industry as being the best of this year.

In fact you could say that these six wines deliver more drinking pleasure in a single sip than most wines on the supermarket shelves do in a whole bottle.  Not just for connoisseurs, these are wines that can be enjoyed by anyone but one word of warning you could find that once you have tasted the delights of these you will not be able to go back to your former favourites.

All of the wines are an excellent choice of wine for Christmas.

And what’s more there is a special offer available to customers who buy two Grand Champion cases. When you order 24 bottles of wine you will receive a FREE Pillastro magnum. To ensure you get yours, simply click on the link below, and ADD your FREE magnum to your basket when ordering.

For more information visit at- www.laithwaites.co.uk/mailing~brochure~M1LW1006~control~oct1_new.xml.pasp

Contact Details:
Fiona Muller
Web Site: http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/mailing~brochure~M1LW1006~control~oct1_new.xml.pasp
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)118 903 1196

Address:
Direct Wines Ltd
New Aquitaine House
Exeter Way
Theale
Reading
Berks
RG1 5QJ
United Kingdom

Christmas is a great time to enjoy a glass of red wine.  This collection of wines are perfect for this occasion as they have a deep full bodied flavour that will enhance the sumptuous rich food that you enjoy at Christmas.

Black reds are a special treat for the red wine enthusiast, the grapes used in the production of these have been ripened by hours of sunshine, creating a smooth red wine which is bound to evoke passionate responses from even the most placid of wine drinkers.

This collection includes The Black Stump 2007 which winemaker John Casella reckons this is his best to date so why not find out by tasting it for yourself.  There is also a wonderful wine from Argentina.  Made from a sumptuous blend of Petit Verdot and Shiraz, The Waxed Bat has already won a coveted Best in Class Trophy. This truly is impressive stuff for its very first vintage!

So while the bad weather sets in why not settle down indoors with a glass of red wine to snuggle up to.

For more information visit at- www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~sku~M2660001.aspx

Contact Details:
Fiona Muller
Web Site: http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~sku~M2660001.aspx
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)118 903 1196

Address:
Direct Wines Ltd
New Aquitaine House
Exeter Way
Theale
Reading
Berks
RG1 5QJ
United Kingdom

It’s Christmas time and despite the awful financial crisis happening on all of our doorsteps it is a great opportunity to get a few friends together and have a few glasses of wine.

With this in mind Laithwaites have put together a special case of wine for your Christmas enjoyment. Full of classic wines it will ensure that you have the best sort of wine to serve with every meal of your Christmas break.

But these are not any kind of wine, they are fine wines. Medal winners and other classics which will not only be a great addition to any collection but will also make sure each sip of each bottle is a wonderful wine experience.

What’s more they are delivered straight to your door so there is no need to brave the horrible Christmas crush in the shops.

Order online now at- www.laithwaites.co.uk

Contact Details:
Fiona Muller
Web Site: http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)118 903 1196

Address:
Direct Wines Ltd
New Aquitaine House
Exeter Way
Theale
Reading
Berks
RG1 5QJ
United Kingdom

If you are not sure which wine to buy for Christmas now you have the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a selection of wines especially chosen by expert wine enthusiast Tony Laithwaite.

This case of wine which is only available online at Laithwaites is the perfect choice to accompany your Christmas and New Year. It will ensure that you have a wine for every possible occasion. This fabulous line-up of wine will really enhance your Christmas. The flavours are fantastic and there are a host of medal winners in the selection. You can even add a bottle of triple GOLD Bubbly to your Christmas Collection for the ultimate yuletide feast! Here is what Toney has to say about a couple of the medal winning wines in this collection:

Duca Petraccone Primitivo

‘This trumps the lot! The Colluci family’s ancient-vine red is stuffed with blackberry jam richness plus the comforting assurance of a top Gold, and it’s looking for a big, meaty dish to befriend …’
Viña Tarapacá Sauvignon Blanc

They never seem to stop winning Sauvignon awards, this lot. Cristian Molina is an obsessive; picks fruit by hand at night! He puts the vibrancy and sheer mouthwatering-ness of this down to a cooler than normal Summer.

So get your case of fantastic wines today – at only £79.99, which includes a bottle of bubbly you’ll be toasting Tony for the whole of the holiday www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~id~A1474104.aspx

Contact Details:
Fiona Muller
Web Site: http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/article~id~A1474104.aspx
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)118 903 1196

Address:
Direct Wines Ltd
New Aquitaine House
Exeter Way
Theale
Reading
Berks
RG1 5QJ

There’s never been a better time to shop online for your wine. Laithwaites have announced that despite the pre-budget report saying that duty on wine will go up by 8% they are keeping proces the same so that everyone can have a happy Christmas.

Laithwaites are an independent online wine retailer and therefore they have a range of wines that you won’t see on the supermarket shelves. They pride themselves on having sourced some of the best wines from around the workd and each wine has a detailed write up by the Laithwaites experts so you know exactly what you are buying.

Laithwaites has been supplying you with ‘real wine’ direct from the vineyard, for over 30 years because they cut out the middlemen you are guranteed great-value and quality every time.

Currently they have some great deals on cases of wine. You can make up your own case or choose one of the preselected ones. Whether you drink red, white, rose or sparkling wine there is something to suit every palate. We even have brandy, port and whisky on sale too!

And if you really get hooked by all the great wines on offer you could consider becoming a member of the Laithwaites wine club – that way you will never be without a great bottle of wine.

To find out more go to:
www.laithwaites.co.uk/mailing~brochure~MLW1102~control~nov1_christmas08.xml.pasp

Contact Details:
Fiona Muller
WebSite:

http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/mailing~brochure~MLW1102~control~nov1_christmas08.xml.pasp

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)118 903 1196

Address:
Direct Wines Ltd
New Aquitaine House
Exeter Way
Theale
Reading
Berks
RG1 5QJ

Christmas just wouldn’t feel right without a bit of a sparkle to start the day. That’s why we have some great offers at Laithwaites which will really get your Christmas off to a great start.

If you get online now you will find some great deals which could save you up to £40 on your Christmas Champagne.

And you don’t have to be conventional and stick with the fizzy white stuff. There are fantastic sparkling reds and of course pink champagne which will really make your Christmas. In fact at the moment we have a fabulous first – Veuve Clicquot was the first champagne house to make pink fizz in 1775 and is now launching a non-vintage rosé. Sophsticated and stylish, it is much more approachable than its vintage sister (it won’t break the bank either) and the perfect choice for an apéritif among friends. So why not splash out now? Buy 6 bottles and save £40.

Also don’t forget New Year. If you are having a party you can’t toast the New Year without a bottle of fizz.

So whether you have a big family party or are just spending Christmas with someone dear to you don’t forget the fizz!

Order online now at
www.laithwaites.co.uk/webdeals~xmlDataFilename~webdeals2.xml~selectedTabId~mixed.aspx

Contact Details:
Fiona Muller
Web Site: http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/webdeals~xmlDataFilename~webdeals2.xml~selectedTabId~mixed.aspx
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)118 903 1196

Address:
Direct Wines Ltd
New Aquitaine House
Exeter Way
Theale
Reading
Berks
RG1 5QJ