Got a note from my Burgundy allocation last month that made me wince. Prices for the 2024 vintage are expected to jump about 20 percent. Smaller yields, strong collector demand, same old story.
Frost damage during spring hit several prestigious appellations hard this year. Premier and grand cru sites were particularly affected, with some vineyards losing half their normal harvest. When supply drops and demand stays constant, basic economics takes over.
Negociants are preparing for their annual en primeur campaign with these projections in hand. Collectors continue showing strong appetite for top Burgundy despite the climbing prices. Many view these wines as both drinking pleasures and investments, which justifies the expense in their minds.
The allocation systems at top domaines mean that willing buyers far outnumber available bottles. I’m on a couple lists, and getting anything at all feels like winning a small lottery. Increasing my allocation? Not happening anytime soon.
For those of us who actually want to drink these wines rather than flip them or watch them appreciate in a cellar, the situation grows frustrating. I’ve started exploring other regions that offer similar quality at saner prices. Oregon Pinot, certain Cru Beaujolais, cooler-climate bottles from unexpected places. Burgundy remains special, but my budget has limits. Maybe that’s healthy. Forces me to explore more broadly than I otherwise would.
