En primeur: the basics

If you receive regular offers from a wine merchant you will have noticed that buying en primeur is offered for a number of wine regions – even England. But only Bordeaux is offered at such an early stage in any significant quantities.

The release dates for red wines from main regions en primeur are as follows: Rhône: the 2016 vintage was offered in January 2018

Burgundy: the 2016 vintage was offered February to March 2018

Bordeaux: the 2017 vintage will be offered from May to July 2018

Delivery dates:

Rhône: the 2016 vintage will be delivered in April 2019

Burgundy: the 2016 vintage will be delivered in April 2019

Bordeaux: the 2017 vintage will be delivered in August 2020

So, while Bordeaux is generally shipped at least 18 months after purchase, other fine wine regions will deliver 12 months after they have been paid for. All en

primeur wines are bought by the case in bond, without duty and VAT.

Aside from considering the leading wine critics’ views, do bear in mind the

overall quality of the vintage as this will affect the wine’s value. Generally,

Bordeaux vintages can be split into categories: the great years (2000, 2005,

2009, 2010, 2015, 2016); the weak vintages (2002, 2013); those in between

(including the current 2017 release).