Japan's First Live Auction!

The "Acker Merrall Fine Wine Auction," marking its inaugural event in Japan, boasts an impressive lineup befitting its name: four bottles of "Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti 2005" for 400,000 Hong Kong dollars (¥7,968,000) and twelve bottles of "Château Petrus 1982" for $340,000 (¥6,772,800). However, according to Ernest Singer, representative of Acker Merrall Wines Japan, "The core of the auction will be wines priced around 800,000 yen per case (12 bottles)."

Acker Merrall & Condit, headquartered in New York, is America's oldest wine shop. Under the current CEO John Kapon, the company has focused on wine auctions. Since Hong Kong abolished its wine tax in 2008, the company has also established a strong presence there, holding monthly auctions in both New York and Hong Kong.

The history of wine auctions dates back to ancient Rome, where wine was sold in barrels. The practice evolved in the 17th century with the widespread adoption of glass bottles sealed with corks, enabling the trade of aged wines. British aristocrats and bourgeoisie were the first to embrace this new market. In the 1960s and 70s, British auction houses established wine departments. Following the fine wine boom in the United States during the 1980s, New York and Los Angeles emerged as the primary centers for wine auctions.



The wines featured in the auction are all historically acclaimed. The selection includes classified Bordeaux and Burgundy châteaux, top Champagne houses, and renowned Ports and Rhône wines from producers like Taylor and Fonseca. The lots primarily consist of private collections, inherited items, and stock from closed restaurants. Buyers are often wine collectors, with many also purchasing for investment purposes.

While participation is possible online, "nothing compares to the glamour of a live auction," says Ernest Singer. He invites attendees to "enjoy bidding while savoring some of the auction wines in the salon."

Acker Merrall Fine Wine Auction
Date | Saturday, September 19
Time | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Venue | Grand Hyatt Tokyo, "Coriander" Room
Wines to be auctioned (scheduled): (Burgundy) Armand Rousseau 19 vintages, Romanée-Conti 18 vintages, La Tâche 20 vintages, DRC assorted cases in original wooden boxes (7 cases), over 20 lots from Leroy dating back to 1949, 11 bottlings from Jayer, 7 vintages of Musigny from Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier, 7 vintages of La Romanée, 9 vintages of Corton-Charlemagne from Coche-Dury, 3 bottles of Montrachet from Leflaive, 8 vintages of DRC Montrachet, and more. (Bordeaux) Le Pin 6 vintages, Petrus 20 vintages, Latour 21 vintages, Lafite Rothschild 15 vintages, and more.
https://www.ackerwines.com/UpcomingAuctions



＜How to Participate in the Auction＞
1. Complete pre-registration to receive your paddle (a numbered card required for bidding).
2. Bid under the guidance of the Tokyo auctioneer, while viewing the live feed from the main auction in Hong Kong on monitor screens.
3. When the current bid price is displayed on the screen, raise your paddle to bid a higher amount if you wish to win the lot.