Gildings Wine Auction

Wine and Whisky Auctions

The buying of wine and whisky at auction in recent years has seen steady international growth making this an exciting and potentially surprising area of the market. The demand for matured and fine wines, as well as aged bottlings of single malt whiskies, has been long established at auction. New interest in these areas, particularly the Eastern market, has maintained prices and levels in recent years. One of the developing areas of interest comes from aged bottlings of whisky, and anniversary bottlings of wines and ports, with specialist retailers looking to meet demand for one-off gifts to commemorate certain dates and anniversaries. This has resulted in bottles that have been recently rediscovered in cellars now suddenly worth more than their modern day counterparts if comparing retail prices. To many unsuspecting vendors, the results have proven quite eye-opening! 

 

Buying and selling with Gildings Auctioneers

At Gildings our comprehensive auction calendar covers all budgets when buying or selling wine, whisky, or spirits, at auction. Small quantities of table wine, blended whiskies, and other spirits are offered in our Antiques & Collectors auctions throughout the year. Fine vintage wines, single malt whiskies and scarce bottlings are reserved and offered in our Fine Art & Antiques auctions within specialist sections, with a particular focus in the December Fine Art & Antiques auction. All auctions can be viewed at our saleroom in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, with easy transport links via road and rail.

If buyers are unable to attend the auction, they can bid online, via the telephone, or leave an absentee bid.

If you are interested in buying and are looking for something specific, create an account and set up a Lot Alert - we’ll send you a notification of anything meeting your criteria coming up for auction with us.

 

Wine and Whisky Valuations

Whether you have a single bottle or even a cellar full of wine or whisky that you would like valued for auction it couldn’t be easier. You can first submit an enquiry via our Valuations Form where you can upload images and details of your items. From these details our Specialist will be in contact to discuss further. For larger quantities a home visit may be arranged.

As with any valuation, certain factors will be crucial in determining a more accurate and realistic auction estimate. Not until our Specialist has seen an item in person would the final auction advice be agreed.

Gildings can also provide professional valuations of wine, whisky, and other spirits, for insurance or probate purposes. As a professional valuation there would be a charge for this service. Please contact us to discuss further.

 

Get a Valuation

Upcoming Auctions

Antiques & Collectors

Antiques & Collectors

17th Dec, 2024 10:00
Antiques & Collectors

Antiques & Collectors

7th Jan, 2025 10:00
Will Gilding

Will Gilding

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What wines and whiskies do we sell at auction?

 

Fine, Vintage, and Table Wines

Interest remains for established French producers and regions such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Médoc, and the Rhône valley. Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux, and wines from the Baron Philippe de Rothschild estates are some labels that are forever high on the wishlist for wine merchants and private collectors. The Champagne and Cognac markets are driven by both vintage and also the demand for anniversary years. There is of course good demand from other European countries such as Spain and Italy, and now Eastern European producers, complimenting the New World offerings from Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, South America, and California. We do offer more affordable table wines in quantity as well as the more established vintages.  Consignments are accepted where the presentation and condition of the bottles remain good, and that have previously been laid and cellared.

Chateau Margaux 1969

Port and other Fortified Wines

The Portugese have been producing Port in the Douro Valley in the north of the country for centuries. Often produced as a sweet red dessert wine, it has become a synonymous pairing to a cheese board in Western cuisine and culture. But as with other fortified wines such as sherry and Madeira, the finish can be dry, semi-dry, or white. As with wines, certain years can be regarded as of particular good vintages dictating market prices. But there is also a good demand for bottles of well-presented Port to be given as Anniversary gifts – such as for a significant birthday. There are a number of main producers that form the backbone of the market, including Taylor’s, Warre’s, Graham’s, Quinta Do Noval Nacional, and Sandeman, to name a few.

Quinta do Noval Nacional 1982 vintage port

Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

The world of whisky may seem rather confusing to the uninitiated given the breadth and depth of what can be achieved from the processes involved. The variety and different number of producers in Scotland alone help perpetuate a collectors market, with some concentrating on certain regions, distilleries, or characteristics. It can result in a whisky collection that is as individual as the collector, and with it a fascination to other enthusiasts.  In recent years particular importance has focused on single malt productions, rather than blended malts. The four main Scottish regions of production – Lowland, Highland, Islands, and Speyside – tend to display certain characteristics in the whiskies produced there, but no two distilleries, however close geographically they may be, will produce a similar tasting drop. “Silent distilleries” are distilleries that are no longer producing, and so bottles from these can often command a premium due to their increased scarcity.  Globally, Scotch whisky has become something of a luxury status symbol, and with it certain names have become incredibly sought after, such as The Macallan. World record prices for such bottles have continued to fall in recent years.

Macallan 25 year old in Tudor Crystal decanter

Irish, Japanese, and American Whiskey

Whisky production is now a global industry and as the techniques and practices have spread, so the product has adapted and changed over time. In the 19th century, Irish whiskey was consumed more globally than Scottish whisky, but production and quality declined after that. The second half of the 20th century has seen a big revival, and now aged bottles of Jameson, Midleton Very Rare, and smaller producers are well respected. The Japanese have been accredited with producing some of the World’s best whiskies for some years now. The early distilleries were set up by early Scottish settlers in the 19th century, and these origins have seen a huge market emerge for both single mal and blended whisky. The Suntory and Nikka brands are the main producers, but smaller closed distilleries, such as Karuizawa, are highly sought after. The American producers have further diversity in producing bourbon, rye, and Tennessee whiskey, which are produced using different grains compared to Scotch and Japanese whisky.

Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey 1998

 


 

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