Bordeaux prices to 'firm up' in 2012

Wine investors could see the price of Bordeaux fine wine fall slightly in 2012 and supply tighten at the same time.

Speaking to Reuters, Jamie Ritchie from auction house Sotheby's said that the trend will come from changing demand in Asia.

"Demand in Asia has changed from 'buy at any price' to 'buy at what I consider a reasonable price," he said.

"We'll see less wine coming onto the market in 2012 and I think that as supply tightens, pricing will firm up."

Evidence of this trend was seen towards the end of 2011, with wine at auction selling within their estimate rather than soaring past it like before.

"The fine wine market is in constant evolution," Mr Ritchie added. "I still have a pretty good outlook in terms of the growth of the fine wine market in the long term. There will be new buyers, new collectors, new drinkers from around the world."

Prices of Domaine Romanee-Conti will likely remain high as bottles are produced in small numbers and demand from Asia is strong.