En Primeur is a French term that translates to “in youth” and refers to the practice of purchasing wines before they are bottled and released to the market. This process is also known as “wine futures,” and allows consumers to secure allocation of highly sought-after wines from prestigious wineries and regions, often at a lower price than the final bottled release.
En Primeur is a system used primarily in the Bordeaux region of France, where it has been in use since the early 20th century. The process begins in the spring, shortly after the harvest, when wine merchants and critics are invited to taste barrel samples of the previous year’s vintage. Based on these tastings, critics will assign scores and ratings to the wines, and merchants will negotiate prices with the wineries.
Once the prices are agreed upon, consumers are then given the opportunity to purchase the wines at a discounted price, often before they are bottled and released to the market. These purchases are made “en primeur,” or “in youth,” with the understanding that the wines will be delivered to the buyer once they are bottled and released, typically two to three years later.
En Primeur is an important system for both the industry and consumers. For wineries, it allows them to secure sales for their wines before they are even bottled, providing a degree of financial stability and predictability. Additionally, the En Primeur system can serve as a barometer for the quality and demand for a given vintage, as the initial ratings and prices set during this process can influence the market for years to come.
For consumers, the En Primeur system provides access to highly sought-after wines from prestigious wineries and regions, often at a lower price than the final bottled release. This can be a cost-effective way to acquire wines that may increase in value as they age and become more scarce. Additionally, En Primeur can offer a degree of excitement and anticipation, as buyers must wait several years for their purchases to be delivered, adding to the allure of these highly sought-after wines.
However, it is worth noting that En Primeur is not without its controversies and criticisms. Some critics argue that the system can lead to inflated prices for wines that have yet to be bottled and tasted in their final form, while others argue that it can create a speculative market that is driven more by hype and marketing than actual quality.
Despite these criticisms, the En Primeur system remains an important part of the wine world, particularly in the Bordeaux region. It offers wineries a degree of financial stability and provides consumers with access to highly sought-after wines that may be difficult to acquire once they are bottled and released. For those interested in investing in fine wines or exploring the world of wine futures, En Primeur offers a unique and exciting opportunity to acquire some of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Wine is sunlight, held together by water.”- Galileo Galilei
