Buying wine at auction is a rewarding experience, whether you are expanding your cellar, exploring new varietals, or seeking rare and mature vintages. Auctions offer access to wines from the cellars of serious collectors and estates, often at prices below retail. Chiswick Auctions’ November 2024 wine sale includes a selection of fine, mature wines, some from historically significant vintages, all ready to enjoy now.
Chiswick Auctions offers a buyer’s premium of 21% plus VAT on all lots in this sale, which is lower than the standard 26% plus VAT. There are no additional fees for commission or live bidding through the Chiswick Auctions website, whether you are using a laptop or bidding via phone from anywhere in the world.
New to auctions? Read our guide to buying at auction here . If you would rather talk to someone directly, please email info@chiswickauctions.co.uk and a member of the client services team can talk you through the process.
Ullage refers to the unfilled space between the cork and the wine — also known as the fill level or headspace. It indicates how much wine has evaporated over time and can give insight into a bottle’s condition.
Christopher Burr MW explains:
"The older wines in our sale have lower ullage due to natural evaporation over decades. This is normal. For wines with ullage below mid-shoulder, we have sometimes tested the wine and included tasting notes on the individual lot pages. If ullage is significant, estimates reflect this.
‘Top shoulder’ is typical for claret over 15 years old. ‘Mid shoulder’ is expected for bottles 30 to 40 years old. Ullage in Burgundy wines is measured in centimetres, and a 7cm gap is not unusual for a Burgundy more than 30 years old."
Diagram courtesy of Christie’s Wine Department and Christopher Burr MW
Submit an online valuation or get in touch with our dedicated Wine, Whisky and Spirits specialist for a complimentary appraisal.