Off the back of the hugely successful Sotheby’s rare Champagne auction, held in Paris in June, Langtons (Australia’s premier destination for fine wine auctions), is kicking-off the largest single-region champagne auction over two weeks, commencing on November 26 and concluding on December 8.
Langtons are expecting to double the current record for the largest champagne auction in its history, which was the famed Danny Younis Collection, earning $210,951 of champagne sales in September 2023.
Many of the lots have been sourced – unusually – ex-Maison, which is sure to excite affluent collectors and drive even more awareness for ultra-luxe categories of champagnes in Australia.
At a time when on premise (hospitality) champagne sales are hugely challenged by a broad suite of economic factors, Langtons say that they have seen year-on-year growth in the secondary market (auctions) for prestige, vintage, single cru, rare releases and top grower champagnes.
Internationally renowned champagne expert, Tyson Stelzer, has been recruited as the auctioneer’s partner to highlight the collection and drum-up business for the summer auction.
The collection features back-vintage releases, low-dosage and large format bottles from Champagne’s leading Maisons as well as iconic growers and an opportunity to purchase ‘ahead of the curve’ for those looking to invest longer-term.
Headlining wines include the Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1971 magnum (expected to reach $10,000 to $12,000 AUD) and Dom Pérignon’s Brut Karl Lagerfeld Edition 1998 (expected to fetch $8,000 to $10,000 AUD). But there’s also more accessible opportunities, like the 2002 Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Millesime Brut (expected to reach around $600 AUD).
Michael Anderson is Langtons’ Head of Auctions and Secondary Market. He says that what makes champagne so collectible is its ability to develop further, over time, but slower than other wines due to the pressure inside the bottle.
“Whilst champagne is synonymous with celebration and luxury, it is still a fine wine,” he says. “Champagnes like Salon or Krug’s Clos du Mesnil are always statement-making wines, and the older or rarer they are, the greater the impression they can make.”
Australia has been a long-standing top market for champagne exports, currently holding sixth place by volume, with 8.9 million bottles shipped in 2023. With the results from the auction, Langtons hopes to add to this strength, and confirm Australia’s position as a strong secondary market for older and rarer champagnes.
Bidders can join Langtons’ Champagne: Auctioning the World’s Finest on Tuesday 26 November to Sunday 8 December by visiting: Luxury & Fine Wine Auctions | Bid or Browse | LANGTONS’ label. It’s also limited to just 10,000 bottles.
