In Issue 19 of Club Oenologique, we take an in-depth look at the fine wine and spirits markets and ask, after three years of falling prices, whether now is the perfect time for savvy collectors to restart buying rare and revered bottles in earnest. Richard Woodard canvasses the opinions and insights of those in the know at the UK’s biggest merchants and auction houses to uncover how purchasing habits have changed in recent times, the bottles currently representing great value and the shape of the future for collectables, one moulded by the latest trends and a new generation of buyers.

In the spirit of discovering new treasures for the cellar from regions on the rise, Victoria Mason MW meets the South African winemakers creating some of the finest Chenin Blancs in the world right now, wines that speak proudly of their origins and will age beautifully for decades to come. In contrast, Essi Avellan MW reports from one of the oldest wine regions in the world, Champagne, exploring how styles and approaches are evolving there to meet the demands of younger consumers. And on the subject of innovation, Sarah Heller MW introduces her wines of the year from Tuscany in our Review section, showcasing standout bottles from both the region’s biggest names and the rising stars doing things differently.

In the rest of the issue, we’re covering the dynamic ageing of spirits, as producers send their liquids out on the high seas, the meteoric rise of Remírez de Ganuza, the relatively youthful estate in Rioja, and the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine. Finally, we share a selection of the top bottlings from this year’s Scotch Whisky Report, the perfect pages in which to find a special dram to sip by the fire as the year draws to a close.

All this and more in this Winter 2025 issue of Club Oenologique.