NONTANDO MPOSO
I RECENTLY received a gift of Natura red and white de-alcoholised wines by Leopard’s Leap.
Natura is made from a traditional wine from which the alcohol has been extracted to leave no more than 0.5% alcohol by volume (abv).
Here is some useful info on the different wine categories:
Non-alcoholic: a non-alcoholic product that has never contained any alcohol.
Alcohol-free: drinks where the initial alcohol has been extracted to be no more than 0.05% abv.
De-alcoholised: alcohol has been extracted from a traditional alcoholic beverage to leave no more than 0.5% abv. The abv should be displayed on the label. LEBOHANG MOSIA
WHY BUY wine at an auction? The breadth of fine and rare wines on offer often exceeds the stock available at retailers, and auction prices generally fall below retail levels and occasionally below wholesale prices.
We’ve compiled a guide to help you navigate the auction world:
Know what you want. For example, are you filling in gaps in a collection, looking to increase your cellar inventory or buying as an investment?
Study the catalogue. “Read the catalogue’s condition reports carefully,” suggests Bina Genovese, the joint managing director of Strauss & Co Auctions, and auction specialist.
Wines kept in professional or home temperature and humiditycontrolled storage are preferable to collections in natural or “passive” cellars, because the latter are often subject to temperature fluctuations, which can affect wines. The air space between the cork and the liquid is a barometer of a wine’s health.
Know what it’s worth. Smart wine collectors cross-reference retail prices with previously realised auction prices and estimates.
Don’t expect a bargain much below the estimate. Estimates are a guideline, not a guarantee and usually based on previous hammer prices.
Factor in supplementary charges as stated in the catalogue. In addition to delivery and insurance being charged, first-time buyers pay a holding deposit of R5000 – which is lifted after 7 days, or added to the buyer’s account if a purchase is made. An extra 12% buyer’s premium is charged on the hammer price, plus VAT.
Consider a dry run. Attend a sale with no intention of bidding.
How to bid. Raise your paddle at the outset of a lot and lower it only when you’ve secured the item or when the bidding exceeds their spending limit. One effective tactic for high-priced wines is to enter the fray at the last minute, when the high bidder thinks he has secured the prize.
Set a limit. You want to end up happy with your purchases and not feeling buyer’s remorse.