UK government auctions wine

These days, wine lovers can take their pick from a wide range of bottles produced around the world. As well as investing in single bottles, they can purchase cases and, if they are buying bottles as a gift for someone else, they can opt for impressive wine hampers.

Recently, enthusiasts had the chance to purchase bottles from the UK government when it auctioned off some of its wine. The government cellar is thought to contain almost 40,000 bottles and a handful of lots worth a total of around £50,000 went under the hammer in March.

One of the lots was a six-bottle case of 1970 Chateau Petrus. It had an estimate of £6,000. Meanwhile, a 12-bottle lot of 1986 Le Pin was expected to reach around £10,000.

The bottles had been stored in the Government Hospitality Cellar in Lancaster House, which is near Buckingham Palace, since they were bought from UK merchants. The cellar, which is stocked and controlled by a committee comprising industry consultants and government officials, provides wine for government functions.

Commenting on the sale, David Elswood, international head of wine at auction house Christie’s, said: “The government has a huge quantity of wine, and is selling bottles that are approaching or are at peak drinking.”

Speaking to Decanter.com ahead of the sale, he added: “They are rationalising their cellar, making sure they don’t have too much of a particular wine.”

The news source noted that following a decision made in 2011, the government will review and report to parliament concerning the costs, consumption, purchases and value of the wine cellar.

When people are on the lookout for wine, whether they want to get wine gift hampers to hand to others or purchase bottles for themselves, they are increasingly heading online. This is a convenient form of shopping and it provides individuals with considerable choice.