GRAPEVINE BUZZ

Wine may not be the most liquid investment, but it is definitely an asset that can build your collection, and nest egg, if done right. Here's barrelling through some basic pointers.

- MAGANDEEP SINGH

‘In Vino Veritas’. In wine, there is truth, say the ancients. Also, taste. Undeniably! But now, there’s even money. If financial adverts have taught me anything it is this, ‘mutual funds are subject to market risk’. No risk, no gain, may be a market mantra, but mine is a simpler philosophy—an investment should be that one enjoys possessing; no pride in owning a fixed deposit. Of course, if the investment in question is a painting or a sculpture, we’re on to something. But consider the investment opportunity that art presents as a comestible. I did. And shortly after, I was investing with Liv-ex (London International Vintners Exchange), buying and selling like a day-stock-trader. Sadly, it was just as boring as stock-trading; speculating in wine and not a drop to drink?

Which is when someone advised me to invest in wine through a proper fund. These companies invest deep, that is, park their money when it’s just a grape and then wait patiently for it to turn into wine and only then (plus a few years) do they reap the benefits of their, pun intended, seed investment. Of course, I am over-simplifying, it’s not all so, pun encore, grass- roots level; the process involves a lot of experience and expertise in the field. However it take the guesswork out of the process, when you can have savvy investors who get flaunt rights with wine investments on their portfolio and also the cheeky possibility of getting their hands on their liquid assets...okay, quitting with the puns.