An investment look at fine wines from Portugal, from century-old fortified wines to Douro blends

Sergey Glekov

Senior financial advisor

Portugal’s wine culture has been developed in relative isolation. As a result, many local grape varieties are grown only in Portugal.

There are over 250 indigenous varieties and a few imports that have adapted well to the Portuguese landscape.

To many wine experts, Portugal is the last frontier of wine in Western Europe and there is still so much to be explored in Portuguese wines.

This article is devoted to exciting Portuguese wines offered by Alti Wine Exchange and their comparative price and investment analysis with other top Portuguese wines.

Portuguese wines listed on Alti Wine Exchange are:

• 2014 Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro (current lowest ask on Alti Wine Exchange: 190 €)

• 1888 Quinta do Vallado ‘ABF’ Very Old Port (current lowest ask on Alti Wine Exchange: 2,700 €)

• 1918 Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal Superior (current lowest ask on Alti Wine Exchange: 4,000 €)

Click on each wine to know more about it and invest:

1888 Vallado ‘ABF’ Port

1918 JMF Moscatel Roxo

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Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro is the top Portuguese red blend produced by Quinta do Vallado. The vineyards are located in north-eastern Portugal, in the Douro River basin.

Although the Douro wine region is best known for its fortified wines, Douro’s total production is fairly evenly split between Port and non-fortified table wines.

We selected three top Portuguese red blend wines from the Douro region to create a peer group for Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro:

• 2013 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa, Douro

• 2013 Quinta da Boavista ‘Vinha do Oratorio’ Vinhas Velhas, Douro

• 2013 Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto, Douro

Exhibit #1 – Price dynamics of peer group for Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro

All wines from the peer group have shown a strong price performance. The best result was demonstrated by 2013 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa, Douro which has a similar retail price (€189 according to wine-searcher.com) as 2014 Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro.

Being a well-positioned in terms of price and quality, 2014 Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro is a brilliant opportunity to invest in Portuguese wines.

Investing in Portuguese wines

Besides rich, ripe, table Quinta do Vallado Adelaide Douro, Alti Wine Exchange offer includes old and rare fortified wines: 1888 Quinta do Vallado ‘ABF’ Very Old Port and 1918 Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal Superior.

The legendary 1888 Quinta do Vallado ‘ABF’ Very Old Port is also produced by Quinta do Vallado and exemplifies an extraordinary Port Wine that stands out immediately for its extremely seductive color, reminiscent of mahogany, with hints of green when stirred, an evident sign of its age.

1918 Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal Superior is produced by José Maria da Fonseca, the oldest and one of the most prestigious wineries in Portugal. José Maria da Fonseca is located on Setúbal peninsula. This region is known primarily for its fortified Muscat wines known as Moscatel de Setúbal.It is classified with the highest quality distinction, the noble superior category. This Moscatel is charming in the nose, having an unbelievable freshness. In the mouth it has an exquisite attack and an energetic finish, with pungent acidity that transports it to an overwhelming conclusion.

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The peer group for 1888 Quinta do Vallado ‘ABF’ Very Old Port and 1918 Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal Superior includes unique, old and rare fortified wines and consists from the following constituents:

• W & J Graham’s ‘Ne Oublie’ Tawny Port

• Real Companhia Velha Quinta das Carvalhas ‘Memories’ Very Old Tawny Port

Exhibit #2 – Price dynamics of peer group for fortified wines

Both wines, W & J Graham’s ‘Ne Oublie’ Tawny Port and Real Companhia Velha Quinta das Carvalhas ‘Memories’ Very Old Tawny Port, are from premium, expensive category. Their prices have shown low volatility and positive modest return.

We can expect similar price dynamics – not very volatile and steady growth – from these two fortified wines listed on Alti Wine Exchange: 1888 Quinta do Vallado ‘ABF’ Very Old Port and 1918 Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal Superior.

 

 

 

 

 

Very old fortified wines are similar to art objects. Storing in a proper condition and validating provenance are paramount for fine wines just as for paintings.

Old fortified wines should be cellared in a right condition (temperature and humidity). Moreover, to prove wine provenance – all paperwork should be done, purchasing receipts and invoices should be kept properly.

How to ensure full authenticity?

Buying fine wines in any store does not guarantee 100% of wine provenance. Besides, there is no guarantee that wine has been stored in the right condition and has not been already denatured.

What distinguishes Alti Wine Exchange-listed wines listed is that these come directly from producers to their initial bottle offerings (IBOs), making them unique.

By investing in wines at Alti Wine Exchange, you can be sure that bottles in your portfolio are authentic, with confirmed provenance and stored in the best conditions in Bordeaux City Bond.

Age and pedigree make these old fortified wines undervalued in old wine shops and create an investment opportunity in this new concept of Alti Wine Exchange that just needs the test of time.

More wine investment articles by Sergey Glekov