What is En Primeur?

Explore the 2023 Vintage

En Primeur

Have you ever heard of the wine term "En Primeur" floating around in the grapevine but felt a bit lost in translation? Today, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of En Primeur, unlocking its secrets, and demystifying its allure.

Where it all began

Back in the 17th century in Bordeaux, France, winemakers were onto something big. Instead of bottling their wines right away, they offered them "en primeur," meaning "first to market." This move wasn't just about being trendy—it was a smart business move, securing future sales while giving enthusiasts a sneak peek into the upcoming vintage. And thus, the tradition of En Primeur was born—a tradition steeped in history, anticipation, and a dash of exclusivity.

How Buying En Primeur Works

So, you're probably wondering, "How exactly does one purchase wine that's still fermenting in barrels?" Let's break it down. Each year, shortly after the harvest, wineries and merchants release En Primeur offers to the eager masses. These offers include samples of the latest vintage, along with critics' reviews and tasting notes. Armed with this information, buyers — yes, that's you—place their orders, securing their allocation of future bottles. It's like pre-ordering the latest smartphone, only before the demand increases the price. Once the wine matures and is bottled, it's shipped off to its new homes, where it awaits its moment to shine on the dinner table or in the cellar.

When and if to buy En Primeur

Is En Primeur the right path for you? That depends. If you're a wine lover with a keen eye for future gems and a taste for exclusivity, it might be right up your alley.

For Collecting

If you’re interested in building a collection of fine wine, it makes sense to buy En Primeur. The En Primeur release price is usually the best price for a wine; buying En Primeur is your best chance to secure highly sought-after wines for your collection, especially if they are produced in very small quantities. Plus, there's the thrill of watching your investment evolve and mature over time, like a fine wine aging gracefully in the cellar.

For Drinking

There is also great merit in buying En Primeur for early drinking. Not all wines are expensive, meaning you could invest a little now in wines that you can enjoy upon release. This ensures you are paying the lowest possible price for wines that can be enjoyed as soon as they are released less than 2 years later. This is wise if the year is a good one.

To Support Producers

There’s also the more personal side to buying En Primeur: investing in a particular producer, and in a particular year, gives you a strong sense of connection with the wine, adding to its appeal. What’s more, you’re supporting the producer now, before they’ve bottled their wines. This lets them invest in their vineyards and winemaking, and in the estate’s long-term future.

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En Primeur FAQ's

What is included in En Primeur prices?

When you buy a wine from us En Primeur the prices quoted are In Bond. The price you pay includes insurance: wines are insured at the original invoice value until ownership of the wines passes to you, at which point they are insured at the full price you have paid at the time of loss or damage.
The price you pay for the wine does not include Duty and VAT or delivery from France to our Irish Warehouse. You don't need to pay Duty and VAT until the wines are withdrawn from Bond.

How much is the duty and VAT on wine?

€3.25 per 75cl bottle of Still Wine
€6.70 per 75cl bottle of Sparkling Wine
€12.00 per 75cl bottle of Port Wine
Irish VAT is 23% (applied after duty)
*Rates are subject to change by the government at any time*

How does shipping and delivery work?

En Primeur wines are usually connected to a specific vintage, with a set closing date for orders. The relevant closing dates will always be included in our specific vintage brochure, or on our website. We’ll indicate an anticipated date by when we expect the vintage to be bottled and shipped to Ireland. Exactly when the wines are shipped is down to when the producer thinks they’re ready, so we can't guarantee exact dates.
After your wines are shipped to Ireland, they’ll be entered directly into your cellar, in Bond. Once the wines are in the warehouse, we’ll let you know by email. You’ll need to pay a storage charge for every case you keep in our Bonded warehouses, but we won’t charge you initial rent until your account’s cyclical annual rent date.