Every year, iDealwine publishes its auction barometer which analyses the previous year’s auction market and the emerging trends. With over 200 pages of data-driven insights, the Barometer is an invaluable resource for serious wine enthusiasts looking to manage their collection and discover rising producers.
2025 – a record year for iDealwine
In 2025, 297,654 bottles of all sizes (the equivalent of 309,924 standard 750ml bottles) were auctioned by International Wine Auction, an iDealwine subsidiary. This represents a 19% increase in volume for a value of €33.9m (or €42.4m including commission), itself a 9% growth. Meanwhile, the sale of fine spirits also reached new heights on the dedicated Fine Spirits Auction website, a joint venture between iDealwine and La Maison du Whisky, achieving €2.1 million in sales (fees included). As iDealwine consolidates its position as the world’s leading online wine auctioneer, it continues to complement its digital activity with traditional in-house auctions, namely the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges charity auction, which raised €0.9m in March 2026.
Identifying tomorrow’s great estates
Each chapter of the Barometer is devoted to a major wine region, in France and beyond, and highlights a selection of rising winemakers and estates. This methodology sets iDealwine apart from traditional guides, which are typically based on tastings. Instead, the Barometer analyses bidder behaviour and purchasing patterns to establish a hierarchy of estates appearing at auction. Covering more than 1,000 producers, the watchlists are based on a combination of criteria: volumes traded, frequency of appearance, number of bids received and performance relative to price estimates. Region by region, the result is an objective, data-driven overview of the market – offering both a reliable guide to established names and a valuable insight into the ‘rising stars’ to watch as collectors seek out the bottles of tomorrow.
5 trends from the Barometer
1. And the highest-priced wines of 2025 is…
The highest price achieved by a single bottle in 2025 was for a 2006 Musigny from Domaine Leroy, which reached €25,416. This result sees the estate return to the top of the rankings, ahead of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Since 2020, these two iconic producers have alternated in leading the table, with results largely dependent on the availability of exceptionally rare bottles. When a Musigny from Domaine Leroy does appear at auction – a relatively rare occurrence – it consistently commands the highest bids.
2. A calm year for fine wine prices
Against a turbulent global backdrop and a decrease in wine consumption, wine auctions retained their momentum. The average price of wine auctioned in 2025 dropped by 8.2%, a trend that sees great disparities across the different regions. This slight drop in prices was no doubt welcomed by wine enthusiasts who came to bid on bottles in droves in 2025, marking a good increase in the volume that went under the hammer. However, we can see the average price has been climbing again since the start of 2026.
3. Organic and natural wines are on the rise
As has been the case for several years, the share of organic and natural wine sold at auction continues to grow. In 2025, the volume of organic and biodynamic wine rose slightly from 28.4% to 29.9% and their value grew from 35.6% to 36.2%. These wines, which are increasingly difficult to produce due to climate change, enjoyed a strong price effect. Natural wines also continue to gain ground, accounting for 8.5% of lots sold and 8.9% of the value. More often than not, the highest-priced wines for each region are an organic or biodynamic wine and sometimes even a natural one.
4. A tie in the eternal Bordeaux vs Burgundy match
Burgundy remains the leading region by value (41.3%), while Bordeaux dominates in terms of volume (34%).
5. Champagne, Beaujolais, Alsace, South West, Corsica, wines of the world – ever so popular
The three largest regions – the “classics” – Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley retained the lead, making up 72% of the volume auctioned, but this statistic has reduced by 10% over the last 10 years. This does not, however, signal a drop in interest for traditional regions, since all three of them have individually increased their sales value year after year. What we’re seeing, rather, is an evolution in the distribution of all regions at auction. Champagne and smaller French regions such as Beaujolais, Alsace, South West and Corsica have experienced great success at auction. While the average price of wine auctioned in 2025 dropped by 8 % to €137, this is a trend that sees great disparities across the different regions.
Champagne
5th best-selling region at auction for volume, and 4th for value. Price effects are notable: total value rose by 21%, with an average price of €201 (+16%).
Beaujolais
8th region in terms of volume and 9th in terms of value. The region saw its volume soar by 48% but its average price remains stable at €44.
Alsace
9th region in terms of volume and 10th in terms of value. Alsace’s volumes grew by 25% and its average price rose slightly too. It stands at €56 (+5%).
South West
11th region in terms of value and volume. South West France is still a small region at auction but its volume sold at auction increased by 21%.
Corsica
This is another tiny auction region but Corsica has seen a monumental shift with is volume at auction growing by 155% and its value by 129% in 2025.
Wines from beyond France
Wines from beyond France have been highly sought after these past few years and in 2025, Italy, Spain, and the USA saw their volume and value increase at auction.
The iDealwine Barometer is available to customers in the highest levels of the Loyalty Programme. They will be able to find the digital version in their iDealwine account. It is also available to buy on the iDealwine website.
