NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acker Merrall & Condit, the world’s premier wine auction house and America’s oldest fine wine merchant, today announced results from its April 21st auction of fine and rare wines, which totaled $3,498,106 and 97% sold.
“The market for fine and rare wine continues to gain strength as seasoned collectors and first time buyers recognize the potential of fine wine as both a significant investment opportunity and a source of great personal pleasure,” said John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit. “The success of our April auction confirmed these facts once again – and reaffirmed New York’s position as one of the world’s most important auction centers.”
Auction Highlights
The highly successful event, held at New York City’s acclaimed Al Fiori restaurant, totaled 829 lots. A 60-magnum collection of the 1996 Krug Vintage Champagne took the top position, selling for $48,800. Burgundy continued it long run of desirability, taking three out of the top five positions, with a six-magnum collection of 1978 Roumier Bonnes Mares achieving $36,600. A 12-bottle assortment of 1999 Domaine de la Romanée Conti shared the third position with a 12-bottle collection of 2000 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, both achieving $34,160. A five-magnum lot of the fabled 1961 Comte de Vogue Musigny rounded out the top five, selling for $29,280. Additional highlights included a three-bottle case of 2004 Romanee-Conti that sold for $24,400, 12 bottles of 1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild at $24,400, and 12 bottles of 1996 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which brought $23,180.
Mr. Kapon continued, “Looking ahead, 2011 is on track to be another record breaking year, with several exciting auction events, including the historic sale of two of the world’s oldest and rarest bottles of champagne, circa 1840, recovered from a shipwreck off the Åland Islands of Finland. In addition, we look forward to the re-launch of our website and several other exciting initiatives as we continue to provide our clients with unique access to and experience of the world’s finest and rarest wines.”
Acker Merrall & Condit and all of its affiliates have at least ten other live auctions planned for Hong Kong and New York this year, with the next live auctions scheduled for May 21, 2011, at Marea in New York City and May 27th and 28th in Hong Kong. The Company also hosts a monthly online auction, opening on the first of every month, at www.ackerwines.com.
In an historic live auction on June 3rd, Acker Merrall will auction two of the oldest and rarest bottles of wine in the world – Champagnes recovered in 2010 from a 19th century shipwreck off the Åland Islands of Finland. The auction will take place at Alandica Culture and Congress Center at 3pm EET (8am ET). Bidders can participate in person, via telephone, or on the Internet. Prospective bidders must register for the auction by emailing info@ackerwines.com or visiting www.ackerwines.com/aland.
About Acker Merrall & Condit
Founded in 1820, Acker Merrall & Condit is America’s oldest fine wine merchant and the world’s largest fine and rare wine auction house. With affiliates in New York and Hong Kong, Acker Merrall hosts over two dozen live and internet auctions annually, and conducts retail operations from its historic headquarters on New York’s Upper West Side as well as in Asia. Acker is devoted to helping customers buy, sell, and experience the world’s foremost wines.