Alternative Outlook

A collection of Chateau Lafite Rothschild valued at 850,000 pounds ($1.3 million) and a “super-lot” of Romanee-Conti estimated at as much as $800,000 are among the December highlights as another record year of international wine auctions draws to a close.

Global wine sales by the leading five international auction houses — Acker Merrall & Condit, Christie’s International, Sotheby’s, Zachys and Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. — have reached at least $367 million so far this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. The figure is …

Asia’s growing thirst for fine wine has helped Hong Kong become the world’s biggest centre for auction sales, and makes a compelling case for investment, according to wine auctioneer Acker Merrall & Condit, reports Finance Asia.

Europeans are spending less money on wine these days, due to a change in drinking habits and the weakening economy, but strong demand in Asia is keeping the industry’s growth story alive, according to M&A International, an M&A boutique.

Indeed, Hong Kong has even overtaken New York as the world’s big…

With many stocks setting records, it is tempting to open a fine bottle of wine and celebrate. But richer rewards might await investors who let it age.

After a bout of monetary easing, the hunt is on for scarce physical assets that offer protection against inflation and potential for strong returns. The Mei Moses World All Art Index, for instance, rose an annualized 5.8% in the past 10 years, while the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index was flat.

Even more profitable, though, were rare wines—up an annualized 6.8%. That is based …