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Forbes
8 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
From Grapes To Gains: Considerations For Investing In Burgundy Land
Anthony Zhang | Cofounder of Vinovest , a leading wine and spirits investment platform. getty Once dominated by multigenerational farmers, Burgundy's wine country is increasingly shaped by balance sheets, not birthrights. In the past few years, high-profile acquisitions by luxury conglomerates, tech billionaires and global family offices have transformed the region's landscape. These deals reflect a broader thesis: For investors looking for scarce, tangible assets with embedded cultural value, Burgundy can offer long-duration exposure. With just about 30,000 hectares under vine and grand cru representing around 1% of output, Burgundy is one of the most supply-constrained agricultural markets on the planet. Top parcels in the Côte de Nuits now change hands at 30 million-plus euros per hectare. But these valuations are not supported by yield alone. Burgundy is functioning more like an alternative asset class—comparable to fine art, trophy real estate or classic cars—with returns tied to scarcity, legacy and social capital as much as operational income. In 2024, LVMH purchased 1.3 hectares of grand cru vineyard land. The parcels were acquired for an estimated 15.5 million euros, and operations are continuing under the existing domain structure. This adds to LVMH's growing Burgundy footprint, signaling a strategy of high-prestige land banking. Alibaba Cofounder Buys Parcels In Côte de Nuits A French holding company backed by Joe Tsai's investment vehicle acquired grand cru plots in Gevrey-Chambertin. This marks one of the most notable entries of Chinese tech wealth into the Burgundy vineyard market. The move is consistent with Tsai's broader portfolio of agricultural and symbolic cultural assets. Artémis Domaines Acquires Clos de Tart In a landmark 2017 transaction, François Pinault's Artémis Domaines acquired the Clos de Tart monopole—a 7.5-hectare grand cru vineyard in Morey-St.-Denis—for just under 200 million euros. This made Pinault only the fourth owner in the vineyard's nearly 900-year history. Clos de Tart is Burgundy's largest walled grand cru monopole and represents one of the region's crown jewels. This acquisition is part of a broader luxury wine strategy by Artémis Domaines, which also owns other luxury wine brands. Revenue Potential: A hectare of grand cru typically produces around 4,500 bottles annually. With some bottles selling for over $64,000, top estates can potentially generate millions in gross revenue. Operating Margin: Vertically integrated producers (owning the land, making the wine, controlling allocations) can achieve 60% to 70% gross margins, based on my conversations with wine producers in the region. Internal Rate Of Return Characteristics: Based on my observations, hold periods of 10 to 25 years, low liquidity and strong appreciation potential make these plays similar to private equity real assets—but with added prestige. However, short-term profitability is often not the objective. With land prices already elevated, most acquisitions do not underwrite to immediate yield. Instead, they represent: • Long-term capital preservation with upside tied to land appreciation • Non-correlated luxury asset exposure • A high-status flex: Ownership of Burgundy grand cru land is one of the most exclusive forms of global cultural capital. Barriers To Entry And Investment Risks SAFER Oversight: All vineyard transactions in Burgundy must pass through SAFER, France's rural land agency, which retains the right of first refusal. Foreign or financial buyers must structure deals via French-registered entities (EARL, SCEA, SARL) with local operators. Fragmented Ownership: Many holdings are micro-parcels, sometimes just rows of vines, requiring legal structuring or co-ownership. Reputational Scrutiny: Burgundy is protective of its traditions. New owners must be perceived as stewards, not speculators. Climate Volatility: Frost, hail and drought increasingly affect yields, making this investment potentially unpredictable and costly. Conclusion: Scarcity, Legacy And Strategic Capital What we are seeing is not a speculative rush—it's a strategic reallocation of long-term capital into one of the world's rarest real assets. Burgundy offers investors more than income: It offers embedded cultural value, legacy positioning and the signaling power of owning land that few others can access. In a financial world increasingly dominated by intangibles, Burgundy remains visceral, finite and timeless. For those with capital, patience and the right structure, it can be one of the last great investment flexes. The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Do I qualify?
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Forbes
Napa Is The Best Wine Country Trip You Can Take Without A Car
Napa Valley is the best-known wine country destination for good reason Napa is not the place to test your tolerance. Or your relationship. Or your ability to reverse park a rental SUV after two glasses of Zin. Yet, year after year, people arrive with an inevitably doomed plan: that is, forcing someone to drive. They alternate pours. They sip and spit. Or worse, they abstain entirely. This guide is for the non-martyrs; the ones who understand that wine tastings aren't meant to be rationed, that driving post-Cabernet is lunacy, and that modern Napa has finally evolved into the car-free, carefree destination it always should have been. Think wine trains, walkable towns, and a new wave of tasting rooms that make you want to linger, rather than tick boxes. Start with the Wine Train The Napa Valley Wine Train has been around since the '80s and, yes, it can feel a little like a moving photo opp, but it's also hands-down the most enjoyable, efficient way to drink your way through the valley without regret. If you're doing the flagship Legacy Tour (and you should), it runs from 10:30am to around 4:30pm and includes breakfast, on-board tastings, two winery visits, lunch, and a steady stream of wine that starts early and doesn't ask you to spit. By the time you reach Charles Krug—your first stop—I can almost guarantee you'll be proud of the decision. The wineries are the best of the best, too. Charles Krug is the oldest in Napa (est. 1861), and the barrel rooms smell like something your faovurite sommelier dreams about. Their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is as good as it gets, and it's also the farthest winery on the train's circular route—therefore impossible to reach efficiently without a car—which makes the train not only a fun excuse, but functional one. Next up: V. Sattui, a more low-key affair with a market-style buzz. While most people come for the picnic vibes (because, silly sausages, they're driving), the sleeper hit is their Madeira—shockingly good, even if dessert wine usually gives you flashbacks to your nan's dusty Christmas bottle. It normally does for me and I nearly asked for a second tasting. Back on board, there's a three-course lunch served with startling finesse for a train kitchen. It's social without being sloppy; less 'party bus,' more 'cool table at a wedding,' and a guarantee you'll be in no condition to operation machinery by the time you roll back into downtown Napa. Just as you planned. Napa Valley Wine Train Don't stay in Downtown Napa With that said, I wouldn't recommend staying in downtown Napa if you're keen to keep things car-free. It's fine, if fine is what you're after, but is much more to discover outside of its many tourist traps. If you want to experience Napa at its most walkable, photogenic, and idyllic, stay in Yountville. And if you're not already using Blacklane, this is your sign. Their pre-booked chauffeurs are the antidote to flaky ride shares (particularly helpful after a day getting sozzled on said train), and and are reliably professional, early, and blissfully unfazed by six half-drunk bottles of Pinot rolling around in the trunk. You can book them by the hour, too, making town-hopping (or continued winery-hopping) a realistic dream. I should warn you, of course, that your eventual departure from Yountville won't be an easy one. Without erring too close to Stepford WIves territory, it's the kind of idyllic place where linen-clad locals take their lunch to the picnic bench for fun. There's money here, obviously, but also a kind of small-town charm. Somehow, it all works. And I'm not sure I've ever been quite so sad to leave a place where I didn't know another person. Jessup Cellars in Yountville, Napa Where to go in Yountville, Napa After your morning coffee and a few litres of water, Jessup Cellars has to be your first stop. It's the platonic ideal of a tasting room: friendly, chic, and serious about its wines without ever feeling pretentious. The walls are hung with rotating art, the pours are generous, the playlists tasteful, and if you ask for Laurel, you'll get a host who's warm, sharp, and blessed with that rare gift of knowing exactly how much wine talk you want before your eyes glaze over. I walked out with the strong urge to empty my suitcase and fill it with bottles and bottles of the silky, tannic, tobacco-rich Juel. In fact, as I write this, I still regret not doing so. Nonetheless, everything in Yountville is a short stroll, or stumble, from Jessup. Walk five minutes and you're at Bistro Jeanty, still the best place to submit to buttery French classics. Yes, the tomato soup in puff pastry is iconic, and yes, it really is worth it. Across the way, Kollar Chocolates will ruin all other chocolate shops for you (the dark salted caramels are lethal) and, for something fresher, North Block is a newer star: seasonal small plates, gorgeous courtyards, and a confident 'Valley to Coast' tasting menu at a fraction of the cost of The French Laundry's (which, if you have the spare hundos to pay for it and the foresight to book months in advance, is also conveniently just down the road). Tacos Garcia, the unassuming taco truck parked near the top of Washington Street, is one of the best you'll find in the region, too. The French Laundry in Yountville, Napa As much as I hate to share hidden gems like this for fear I'll soon be priced out, you have book a room at Lavender—a B&B that nails the elusive 'romantic' sweet spot without feeling cringe. There's a fire pit, proper breakfasts, fantastically friendly service, and high-end rooms that don't look or feel like they were designed by Pinterest boards. The nightly wine and cheese hours are pretty useful in helping you keep the tasting party going, too. If you've somehow still got room (in your liver or your luggage), there are a few more tasting rooms worth weaving into your Yountville stroll, as well: Handwritten Wines for elevated small-lot storytelling, Hope & Grace for a quieter, boutique feel with knockout Pinots, and Hill Family Estate, where the pours are generous and the vibe's wonderfully welcoming. All walkable, all worth it, and—like everything I've recommended above—all best enjoyed without having to sip, spit, or sacrifice a designated driver.
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The World's Best Sauvignon Blanc Wine—According To The 2025 Decanter
Sauvignon Blanc wine with grapes on old wooden table getty Six Sauvignon Blanc wines took top honors at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards. One wine was awarded Best in Show, and five received Gold Medals, each scoring 96/100 points. The DWWA is the largest wine competition globally and is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. Over 18,000 wines were entered in the recently completed 2025 judging. Here is a brief overview and tasting note for each of these wines. Domaine Landrat‑Guyollot is based in Pouilly-sur-Loire, on the eastern side of the Loire Valley. A boutique operation, they specialize in two premium cuvées. Gemme de Feu is produced from flinty soils, and Gemme Océane comes from calcareous-clay sites near the river. Their aim is a pure expression of terroir, with minimal oak and stainless-steel aging. It was the highest-rated Sauvignon Blanc wine and was awarded Best in Show in the category. The wine exhibits floral and fruity aromas of orange blossom and white flowers, complemented by notes of grapefruit, green apple, and gooseberry, with a subtle hint of smoke and flint. It's smooth and silky on the palate, with a pronounced acidity and intense flavors of ripe grapefruit, citrus zest, and a flinty minerality. The finish is long and brisk, with lingering citrus notes and a chalky minerality. Château de Tracy is one of the oldest Pouilly‑Fumé domaines. It's located on the banks of the Loire. Renowned for distinctive smoky, flinty Sauvignon Blancs that reflect the silex-rich soils and cooler microclimate of the appellation. The wine features aromas of pear, apple, and grapefruit, with an underlying note of gunflint and white floral notes. It's medium-bodied and savory on the palate, with brisk acidity, showcasing flavors of citrus fruit framed by a tangy, flinty, and mineral core. The finish is long and refreshing with smoky accents, lingering salinity, and a chalky minerality. Vineyards of Sauvignon Blanc in Eppan municipality of South Tirol, Italy. getty Founded by Markus Prackwieser in Alto Adige/Südtirol, Gump Hof is known for terroir-driven whites. The Praesulis sits near Tramin, at elevations of 1,000 feet or higher, thriving on mountain soils of dolomitic limestone and metamorphic soils. The wine exhibits notes of citrus, green apple, peach, and herbaceous flavors, complemented by a delicate minerality. It's fruity on the palate, with crisp acidity and a persistent minerality, showcasing flavors of orchard fruit and citrus zest. The finish is long, slightly resinous, with lingering stone-fruit freshness. Rapaura Springs, Rohe Rapaura, Sauvignon Blanc, 2024, Marlborough, New Zealand, 14% ABV, 750 ml. $11 Rapura Springs is a family-run winery in Rapaura, Marlborough—New Zealand's premium Sauvignon producing region. It's known for juicy, expressive whites that channel classic Marlborough herb, melon, and passionfruit characters. The wine exhibits pronounced aromas of passion fruit, ripe melon, citrus, and fresh-cut grass. The palate features a brisk acidity, showcasing tropical fruit flavors of mango and passionfruit, accompanied by layered crisp green apple and herbal tones. The finish is long and refreshing with lingering notes of tropical fruits and citrus zest. Durbanville Hills, The Tangram, 2023 Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, 14.12% ABV, 750 ml. $12 Durbanville Hills is a pioneering estate near Cape Town, specializing in cool-climate whites produced from ancient shale and decomposed granitic soils. 'The Tangram' is their signature Sauvignon Blanc cuvée. The wine features aromas of citrus zest, green fig, gooseberry, and hints of herb and wet stone minerality. It's crisp and layered on the palate with a crisp acidity showcasing flavors of lime, pear, grapefruit, accompanied by a stony minerality. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering saline and tangy lemon notes. Clos du Val, 2023 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Yountville, California, USA, 13.6% ABV, 750 ml. $75. Clos du Val, founded in 1972, is a cornerstone Napa Valley estate in Yountville. It was the top-ranked American Sauvignon Blanc wine at the 2025 DWWA. Its white wines emphasize balance and food friendliness, pairing well with a wide assortment of foods. The fruit comes from well-drained gravel and alluvial soils. The wine features aromas of ripe pear, melon, honeydew, and fresh citrus zest. It's fruity on the palate, with a touch of minerality and brisk acidity, showcasing flavors of ripe orchard fruit layered with lemon-lime notes and subtle herbal hints. The finish is long and crisp with a touch of minerality and lingering citrus peel. These selections showcase how Sauvignon Blanc adapts and thrives across diverse climates, both cool and warm, and soils—from the flinty terroirs of the Loire and Italy's alpine foothills to Cape Town's cool shale and California's gravel beds. Each wine brings a distinct expression of acidity, aroma, and finish, offering a global tasting tour of this increasingly popular grape varietal. More From Forbes Forbes The Top American Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Wines, According To The Top Wine Competitions By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Best California Sauvignon Blanc Wines, According To The Top Wine Competitions By Joseph V Micallef
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
14 best supermarket wines, chosen by experts and sommeliers
Whether you're after a crisp French rosé for a summer dinner party, a zesty Chardonnay to enjoy at a barbecue or a softly bubbly pét nat to try, the wine selection from supermarkets has never been better. From the viral 'chicken wine' (La Vieille Ferme Rosé) and Asda's tongue-in-cheek alternative to Whispering Angel, Screaming Devil, to Aldi's £9.99 orange wine, social media has helped democratise the wine world. 'Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable, more savvy; they can look anything up on the internet,' says Libby Brodie, wine consultant and columnist. 'Wine is a whole aisle now, as people want more variety as well as value, and supermarkets have wisely chosen to invest in their wine buyers and relationships with producers – because this is how most of us buy our wine.' This means that supermarkets are catering to more refined tastes, explains Sinead Murdoch, sommelier and co-founder at Tasca. 'Now top wine buyers are working for supermarkets, and the growing competition is raising the standard of what ends up on the shelves.' But discovering a truly great bottle at a supermarket is still tricky, so I went to the experts. From sommeliers to wine influencers, these are the best vinos from the local shops, as chosen by industry heavyweights. Meet the experts I spoke to qualified wine consultants, restaurant sommeliers, TikTok-viral influencers and wine critics to find the best bottles to sip in summer 2025. Libby Brodie is a qualified wine consultant with years of experience in the industry. She is the founder of Bacchus & Brodie Wine Consultancy, which personally curates wine selections for individuals or events. Katie Brook is a journalist with a specialism in wine and a decade of experience as a wine reviewer. She is the founder of Run To Wine - a London- and Surrey-based running club that ends its sessions with a wine tasting. Sinead Murdoch is a sommelier and co-founder of Tasca, a restaurant in London. Following a formal training, she headed up front of house at Shoreditch restaurant Bistro Freddie. She then spent time in Provence at Gallifet Art Centre, where she curated the wine list. Lucy Hitchcock is the wine enthusiast behind the @Partnerinwineuk social media account. She has nearly 100k on Instagram and 65k on TikTok, with her reviews of Aldi or M&S bottles regularly going viral.
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
Eating Around Malta
Colourful Boats in Harbour of Marsaxlokk, Malta at springtime. This small island in the Mediterranean is one of the closest to North Africa and has been a hotbed of conflict, colonization and military maneuvers during the war. The Maltese national language is closer to Arabic than any other language. Residents say that the language of Malta is completely copacetic with Lebanese Arabic and is it said the pronunciation of basic numbers is exactly the same as Arabic. The back street of Valletta. This island is a UNESCO heritage site and Gladiator II was reportedly filmed in Valletta, given its resemblance to ancient Rome. While the island is full of great food offerings, it is a bit disappointing that many of the shops and bigger restaurants have moved out of the historic center, as more modern areas such as Sliema have become a bigger draw. The Wines and Wineries Glass of red wine with brie cheese with view of harbor with boats and historic city center of Birgu ... More in Malta. Malta has been producing wines for centuries. The winemakers use a number of international varietals but also have their own indigenous grapes—such as Girgentina and Ġellewża—which are challenging to pronounce. The heat of the island works against local wine producers, as well as the fact that Maltese—like the Swiss and Austrians—also enjoy their own wines so much few of them make it out of the country. The bottom line is that unfortunately not much Maltese wine is available in the States. I had a chance to visit a few great wineries. One was Markus Divinus, whose owner is making completely unique wines with a mix of local and international varietals. I particularly liked the white Zafrana, which is primarily based on the the indigenous Girgentina grape with international varieties, on the nose it has stone fruit and mineral notes. Only 1,434 bottles were made of the 2023 vintage, which clearly demonstrates why these wines are hard to find outside the country. The winery's tasting room is darling with lights hung outside and black and white pictures of owner Mark Borg's family producing wine. Unfortunately, the bulk of these wines, when sold directly, from the winery are coming in at more than $50 a bottle retail which is a price point that few Americans would be willing to experiment with an unknown wine. It's the same issue that Georgian, Armenian and Serbian wines are facing. Only a small set of locals can afford to buy the wines and the math doesn't work on exporting them profitably. However, I totally enjoyed tasting the local wines and seeing them paired on menus. Another winery I enjoyed visiting was Meridiana, which is owned by noted Italian winemaker Piero Antinori, who has been an aggressive player in the international wine industry. He also owns a winery called Metaforsis, that I have visited in the Dealu Mare region of Romania, and he instinctively seems to quietly understand how to expand his empire. At Meridiana the Nexxus Merlot was good with intense cherry and berry flavors. The Restaurants Malta is home to a pretty impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants. So, the destination is playing in the big leagues for a 122 square-mile island. I had the privilege of going to two of them. Ion Harbour, a two-star Michelin, is run by British chef Simon Rogan. The views of the harbor are stunning. Its location on the harbor is peerless: you can stare at endless ocean for hours. While its food merits the two stars, the restaurant could probably use a little support in managing reservations and guest arrival, which were bumpy. Highlights from the meal included a rosemary-infused pumpkin from Hokkaido Japan with sticky yolk and cheese sauce. I also loved the playful beef fat and koji waffle made with with sheep's yogurt and orange jam. Another great Michelin dining experience was had at LeGV. It is in the trendy heart of Malta's Sliema district, so the views aren't classic but the food is great. The space sits atop a modern building with stunning views of the surrounding area. The staff is flawless and local wines, like Marcus Divinus' are offered in abundance. Quail, white asparagus and veal: sign me up. I just wish the portions had been smaller and I had had space for cheese (and that I didn't need to wake up at 2am to catch my flight). Valletta is a charming preserved city much like Ortiga in Siracusa. It's beautiful and historic but is somewhat limited in terms of its food and shopping options. This is a fantastic local place. Leglegin, nestled on a back street, was one of the best meals I had in the area. It is run by an enthusiastic, second generation restaurateur. Check: great local wines, small bite and an amazing typical rabbit dish. A great new fact that I learned was that Maltese rabbits are plumper than American ones, as they are farm raised. The Hotel If there is one hotel that says it all about history, and war, in Malta it is the endlessly gracious The Phoenicia. It sits within the City's ancient fortifications, just outside Valletta proper, and even has an infinity pool that juts out over the City. The pool at the Phoenicia. It was once, of course, where Queen Elisabetta once stayed. She and Prince Philip even lived in Malta for a few years as a newly married couple. The Phoenicia's gardens are divine and the restaurant has a gracious perch. Specialties include a lobster salad and crispy corn on the cobb. It features a number of local wines on the list, such as sparkling Marsovin wines.
