How to Maximize Returns by Investing in Wine

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Contributor, Benzinga
May 31, 2024

Investing in wine is a unique and increasingly popular alternative investment strategy that has caught the attention of both seasoned investors and newcomers looking to diversify their portfolios. The appeal of investing in wine lies in its potential for high returns, as fine wines tend to increase in value over time due to limited production, increasing global demand, and the scarcity of certain vintages.

Unlike traditional investment options, wine offers tangible assets that can be enjoyed and collected, making it a more personal and enjoyable investment choice for many.

Why Invest in Wine?

Investing in wine comes with some major advantages, here's what to know.

Limited Supply

Wine is a finite asset. While lower-quality wine is relatively common, fine wines are rare. These wines can be classified as investment-grade since they have sufficient demand in the secondary market to support ongoing price growth.

Vintners bottle fine wine in limited amounts under strict conditions and have to attain many standards. For example, most fine wines come from well-established vineyards like those in Bordeaux and Tuscany. These wines should have the right mix of acidity, alcohol, flavor and tannins to increase in quality as they age.

Every investment-grade wine must be rated classic or 95/100 by a professional wine critic. Once these wines enter their drinking windows, demand grows and supply falls, resulting in stable long-term growth.

Diversification

Wine, as an alternative asset class, exhibits a low correlation to traditional financial markets such as stocks and bonds. This means that the performance of wine investments tends to be influenced by different market factors, providing a level of diversification that can help reduce overall portfolio risk. During times of economic uncertainty or market volatility, the stability of wine investments can offer a hedge against potential losses in other asset classes.

Long-Term Returns

Furthermore, the wine market has shown resilience and consistent growth over time, making it an attractive option for investors seeking long-term returns. Fine wine has a track record of outperforming many traditional assets, with some vintages appreciating significantly in value over years or decades.

By including wine in a diversified investment portfolio, investors can potentially benefit from capital appreciation while also enjoying the unique pleasure of owning a tangible, luxury asset.

Invest in Wine Today with Vinovest

Sponsored

Vinovest is a unique platform that makes it easy for anyone to invest in fine wines. By leveraging Vinovest's expertise and technology, investors can access a curated selection of premium wines from around the world, carefully chosen for their investment potential.

One of the key advantages of investing in wine through Vinovest is the potential for strong returns over time. Fine wines have historically shown a steady increase in value, making them a stable and profitable investment option for both experienced and novice investors.

Additionally, Vinovest takes care of all aspects of wine investing, including sourcing, storage, insurance, authentication, and selling, ensuring a hassle-free experience for investors. This hands-off approach allows investors to enjoy the potential benefits of wine investing without the complexities typically associated with it.

Consumer Staples ETFs

Besides investing in physical wine bottles, investors can gain exposure to this sector via consumer staples ETFs. No ETFs specifically focus on wine, but consumer staples ETFs own companies that produce alcoholic beverages.

This method won’t be as direct compared to VinoVest, but these ETFs could be more accessible for the average investor. These ETFs are easier to buy and sell since it can take two to three weeks to amass wine portfolios with VinoVest.

One top consumer staples ETF is the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA: XLP), with one of its top holdings being Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) at 2%. Constellation brands owns several popular wine brands including The Prisoner Wine Company and Kim Crawford.

This ETF also has exposure to beverage companies like Molson Coors Beverage Co. (NYSE: TAP) and Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO). Altria is mainly known for producing tobacco products but it has a significant ownership in the beer company, Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD). This level of ownership makes both Altria and the ETF that much more powerful.

From a financial standpoint, this ETF offers a respectable 2.21% yield and a low P/E ratio of 3.55%. However, it has a relatively high expense ratio of 1%, which is much higher than the average asset-weighted expense ratio of U.S. funds of 0.45%.

Diversifying Your Investment Portfolio with Wine

Wine is often overlooked as an alternative investment class compared to real estate, private equity and venture capital. However, wine tends to stay in demand regardless of the economy. Wine is a physical asset, with the best quality wines being considered investment grade.

It’s becoming easier to invest in fine wine thanks to sites like VinoVest and consumer staples ETFs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is the average return on wine investment?

A

Certain wines may outperform others, and there could be opportunities to realize returns sooner than anticipated. Based on historical data, a return of 15% can be anticipated over the lifespan of your cellar.

Q

Can I make money investing in wine?

A

Yes, you absolutely have the potential to make money investing in wine.

Q

Is wine a better investment than stocks?

A

While some people may find success in investing in wine and benefit from the potential appreciation in value over time, stocks generally offer more liquidity and the potential for higher returns in the long run.