Every two years, Liv-ex — the global marketplace for fine wine — releases its Classification, ranking the world’s leading wines by average market price. Modelled on Bordeaux’s historic 1855 Classification, this modern list uses trading data to reveal which wines are most in demand, most valuable, and most resilient in the secondary market.
The 2025 edition comes at a fascinating moment: three years into the longest downturn in recent fine wine history. With the Liv-ex 1000 index down around 23% since the last release, only the strongest wines have held or improved their position. That makes this year’s Classification as much a story of resilience as of prestige.
Caption: Liv-ex 1000 index. Source: Liv-ex
How the classification works
For a wine to qualify, it must:
- Have traded on Liv-ex between July 2024 and June 2025.
- Be represented by at least five vintages.
- Have traded at least 12 times during that period.
Once qualified, wines are grouped into five tiers based purely on average trade price (per 12×750ml case). This year, the thresholds were adjusted downward to reflect the market correction. For example, the entry-level Fifth Tier now includes wines priced between £284–£354 per case, while First Tier wines are those averaging over £2,839
Key takeaways from 2025
1. France still dominates
No surprise here: France continues to anchor the fine wine market.
- Burgundy leads at the very top, boasting more First Growths than any other region.
- Bordeaux retains its strength through breadth, with 106 wines (nearly one-third of the entire list) qualifying across tiers
2. Italy strengthens
Italy had a strong showing, jumping from 65 wines in 2023 to 86 in 2025. Names like Sassicaia, Solaia, and Rinaldi highlight both global recognition and domestic momentum
3. “Safe” regions prosper
In uncertain times, collectors seem to gravitate toward well-understood regions. The US, Spain, Italy, and France all gained wines in the ranking, while Australia slipped from five wines in 2023 to just two in 2025 — a reminder that global demand doesn’t always track with local reputation
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Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Qualifying wines by Country Source: Liv-ex
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Qualifying wines by Country/Region Source: Liv-ex
4. Big movers in the middle tiers
- Giacomo Conterno’s Barbera d’Alba Francia and Vieux Télégraphe both leapt from Fifth Tier to Third — proof that consistency and value can propel wines upward
- Tier Two, the largest with 140 wines, showed wide regional spread: Chave Hermitage and Quintarelli Amarone even outranked household names like Sassicaia and Angélus
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Tier 2. Source: Liv-ex
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Tier 2 continued. Source: Liv-ex
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Tier 3. Source: Liv-ex
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Tier 4. Source: Liv-ex
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Tier 5. Source: Liv-ex
5. Burgundy’s dominance at the top
The First Tier (66 wines) is half Burgundy. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) took the top three spots — Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, and Richebourg. Romanée-Conti alone averaged £172,461 per 12×75 — dwarfing even Petrus, which came in fourth
California also held its own, with Screaming Eagle, Harlan, and Scarecrow ranking ahead of Bordeaux First Growths. It’s a clear signal that global collectors are widening their gaze.
Caption: 2025 Liv-ex Classification Tier 1. Source: Liv-ex
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Why it matters for investors
The Liv-ex Classification isn’t just a leaderboard — it’s a barometer of where demand (and money) is flowing in fine wine. For collectors and investors, it offers three important signals:
Resilience matters: Wines that hold position in a downturn (e.g., DRC, Petrus, Screaming Eagle) show their staying power.
Opportunities exist: Regions like Burgundy dominate the First Tier, but value can be found in the Third and Fourth Tiers — where rising stars like Conterno and Vieux Télégraphe are climbing.
Global diversification: While Bordeaux and Burgundy remain foundational, Italy’s surge and California’s continued relevance highlight the benefit of spreading bets across regions.
Final sip
The 2025 Liv-ex Classification is both a snapshot of today’s market and a roadmap for tomorrow’s opportunities.
With indices back near pre-pandemic levels and prestige names continuing to command record prices, the list underlines two truths: fine wine is cyclical, but the very best labels — from DRC to Petrus to Screaming Eagle — remain evergreen.
For newer collectors, it’s a chance to spot undervalued entrants. For seasoned investors, it’s confirmation that the classics endure.
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