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What You Need to Know When Buying Wine En Primeur

Every time spring arrives, Bordeaux becomes the centre of attention in the entire wine industry. Many people eagerly await to taste the latest and greatest vintage there is to be had, and this is where the en primeur custom starts.

Now, if you’re not too sure about what “en primeur” means, it is the custom that revolves around purchasing and selling wine before it’s bottled. Think of it like booking a hotel room ahead of time, only this time, you’re buying wine straight from the producer while the wine itself is still maturing in châteaux cellars. 

That said, if you are interested in purchasing en primeur wine, here’s everything you need to know about it:

Why Should You Consider Buying En Primeur?

In general, this is an excellent way to buy wine that is still maturing in the châteaux cellar.

By participating in the wine auctions, you get an early look at the future of the wine industry, and you are able to taste wines that you won’t necessarily be able to get your hands on in the open market.

Of course, there are other reasons to buy wine en primeur. For example, you may buy it as an investment, where you decide to sell it later when it has developed and matured further for more money. But of course, you can just as simply buy it so that you have access to good wine when you want it. In fact, some people even purchase the wine in a show of support for the property, which put the hard work and time to create stunning Bordeaux wine.

Really, there are so many reasons to buy wine en primeur, and if you’re interested in doing so, you should definitely give it a try. As you can hopefully see, purchasing wine en primeur is a fantastic way to get your hands on wines that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. And as such, if you’re an avid Bordeaux wine fan, you should definitely give this a try!

What Are the Benefits of Buying Wine En Primeur?

By buying wine en primeur, a buyer is able to get their hands on the most exclusive and sought-after wines from Bordeaux, and that too before the wine is even available in the open market. This means you’re guaranteeing wine for yourself that would otherwise be in high demand and sold out before you can even act.

Additionally, by purchasing en primeur, you get to purchase wine in its youth, and as such, it may have a lot of room for improvement. This can give you a unique experience on the wine’s journey to maturity, allowing you to enjoy all the unique and deep flavours it has to offer as time passes.

How Do I Buy Wine En Primeur?

For those who are interested in getting their hands on en primeur wine, you have to be invited by a wine merchant to participate in the auction. This is why it is vital to find a trustworthy merchant that you can rely on.

Once you are invited, you will be able to peruse the list of wines available at each of the vineyards, and you may even request to visit the vineyard itself before or after the auction takes place.

To ensure that you get your hands on the wine that you want, it is highly advised that you place your bid as early as possible, especially for those vineyards that have limited stocks available.

How Do I Know Which Wine En Primeur to Pick?

When buying wine en primeur, you have to be extremely careful because this is an investment, and just like with any investment you make, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. This means getting a high-quality wine that is worth the money you’re spending regardless of the reason behind investing in en primeur wine.

The best way to do so is by taking the following factors into account:

  • The year itself
  • The châteaux
  • The vineyard and terroir
  • The price

Of course, you should also always remember that no two wines are exactly alike, but it never hurts to get tips from a professional when making this investment. Not only does it save you time and effort, but you also get the peace of mind that you’re making the right choice.

Where Do I Buy Wine En Primeur?

If you are interested in buying wine en primeur in your area, you should talk to your local wine merchant. This is a great way to ensure that you’re getting top quality wines because they generally have access to the best wines in their area.

If you’re looking to buy wine en primeur online, you should be careful to only go with a highly trusted wine merchant to ensure that your investment is safe. After all, you wouldn’t want to put all that hard work into purchasing en primeur wine only to find out that you’ve been scammed and that you’re never going to get your money back, would you? Of course, this also applies to local wine, where you want to do plenty of research to know where to buy your en primeur wine from.

Purchase Wine En Primeur Today!

So there you have it, everything you need to know about the en primeur custom. If you’re interested in buying wine en primeur yourself, you should talk to a wine merchant to find out if they have access to any en primeur wines near you.

If they don’t, you can always search online for reputable merchants to get your hands on some of the best wine en primeur that you can find in the market. Just be sure to carefully review the merchant and the quality of the wine they offer to ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth. After all, you should always remember that en primeur wine isn’t exactly cheap. It is, in fact, just like an investment, where you want to maximise the returns from your purchase, whether that return comes in the form of more money down the line when you sell it or simply the wonderful wine-tasting experience you get.

Cru Wine offers fine wine made accessible through an enriched experience. If you are looking to buy wine for investment, check out what we offer!

Cru Wine Ltd.

Registered company 08579498. Cru Wine Limited, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, United Kingdom, W14 0QH. VAT Number: GB180547111. All rights reserved.