Quick answer After falling in 2024 and 2025, the fine wine market is stabilising in 2026. Liv-ex shows the Fine Wine 1000 up 1.3% year to date, with Champagne 50 (+4.1%) and Italy 100 (+3.5%) leading.
For collectors, the key question is where the market stands now. The data suggests a cautious stabilisation rather than a boom: the main index is up modestly this year after a long decline, and the gains are concentrated in specific regions.
Key takeaways
- Fine Wine 1000: +1.3% year to date and +2.2% over one year, but −10.8% over five years.
- Champagne 50 and Italy 100 lead 2026 gains; Bordeaux 500 is still slightly negative.
- Risks remain: fewer buyers in some regions, higher shipping costs and macroeconomic uncertainty.
How has the fine wine market performed in 2026?
According to Liv-ex’s indices page, consulted on 10 October 2026, the Fine Wine 1000 stood at 354.2, up 1.3% year to date and 2.2% over one year. The Fine Wine 100 was up 2.1% in 2026. Italy 100 (+3.5%) and Champagne 50 (+4.1%) were among the strongest performers; Bordeaux 500 was −0.2%.
What happened before the recovery?
The market fell through 2024 and into 2025. Liv-ex data reported in May 2025 showed the Fine Wine 1000 down 10.5% over the previous twelve months, and by September 2025 it was still 5.3% lower for the year, though that month saw a +0.4% rise.
Where does the Liv-ex 1000 stand over the long term?
The chart below shows selected points: the July 2011 peak of 279.69, the August 2014 low of 242.6, the February 2017 record of 303.15, and the 354.2 level shown in October 2026. These are selected data points, not a continuous series, and show that the index moves in multi-year cycles.
What is driving the market now?
WineNews reported in July 2026 that in the second quarter more vintages fell than rose, with an average gain of 5.2% for rising wines and an average loss of 4.1% for falling ones. The United States was the only region where buying activity grew in 2026, private collectors remain the main force in the market, and the Italy 100 index was a driver of growth in the first half. Pre-2017 Bordeaux has been more resilient than younger vintages, according to the same report.
What should collectors watch?
- Region mix: Italy and Champagne have led in 2026, while Bordeaux remains weaker.
- Millésime : older, proven vintages have been more resilient than young ones in Bordeaux.
- Costs and demand: higher shipping costs and fragile buyer confidence can affect prices.
- Your time horizon: fine wine is a medium to long-term holding.
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Important: this article is general information, not financial advice. Fine wine prices can fall as well as rise, wine is not easy to sell quickly, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Figures in scenarios are illustrative assumptions, not forecasts.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fine wine market recovering in 2026?
Liv-ex shows a modest stabilisation: the Fine Wine 1000 was up 1.3% year to date and 2.2% over one year as of 10 October 2026, after a decline in 2024 and 2025.
Which wine regions are performing best in 2026?
Champagne 50 (+4.1%) and Italy 100 (+3.5%) led year-to-date gains on Liv-ex’s indices page.
How much did the market fall before 2026?
Liv-ex data reported in May 2025 showed the Fine Wine 1000 down 10.5% over the previous twelve months; it was still down 5.3% for the year in September 2025.
Who is buying fine wine in 2026?
Private collectors remain the main force; WineNews reports the United States as the only region where buying activity grew in 2026.
Is now a good time to buy fine wine?
No one can say for certain. Prices move in cycles, so focus on provenance, region, producer and your time horizon, and do not rely on short-term moves.
Sources
- Liv-ex — Indices (Fine Wine 50, 100, 1000 and sub-indices) — Index definitions and 1-month, YTD, 1-, 2- and 5-year changes; values as displayed when consulted on 10 October 2026.
- WineNews — Fine wines, still uncertain framework but improving perspectives for the second half of 2026 (23 July 2026) — Q2 2026 averages, US buying activity, drivers and risks.
- WineNews — Fine wine: Liv-Ex shows signs of rebound (30 October 2025) — Liv-ex 1000 September and year-to-date 2025 figures.
- Wine Intelligence — Wine investments under pressure (10 May 2025) — Liv-ex indices 2025 year-to-date and 12-month changes.
- Liv-ex — Fine wine market report, February 2017 — 2011 peak, 2014 low and February 2017 record values.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Index values are as displayed on the cited pages on the dates stated.
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