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The pattern is very similar to the fall in 2008, the market hit bottom in December ‘08/January ’09 and then made a fantastic recovery. We believe that we are going to see recovery this year and profits abound for those who are in the position to take advantage of the remaining ‘well priced’ investment grade wines on offer.

Unfortunately the 2008 vintage has been the one that has fallen the furthest. Like the 2005 vintage, in the 2008 market fall, this is mainly due to their fantastic success. The prices rose so much from their release combined with their age – still infants in wine terms – and their delivery last year, meant that those looking to raise cash had a valuable commodity to sell. Traditionally the market has always recovered and continued to climb above its previous high. We believe that 2012 is going to be a fantastic year for the fine wine market.

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Due to the continuing unrest in the Eurozone, the resignation of both the Greek and Italian Premiers and the roller coaster ride in the financial markets the wine market like every other has been affected. Prices fell sharply in September resulting in the largest decrease in prices since November 2008; however the rate of decline started to slow in October and again in November. We have seen an overall decrease of approximately 20-25%, again not dissimilar levels to those seen three years ago.

We have different problems to those being faced following the Lehman collapse but once again people will look for alternative homes for their money, something tangible that they own and have full control over. Most importantly once the wine is made and stored in the correct conditions we no longer rely on people to make the product better/work/sell. It does it all by itself, no political agendas involved.

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The continued turmoil in Europe has finally had an effect on Fine Wine prices with post millennium wines being affected more heavily than pre–millennium. The softening of prices in August is not unusual given the summer season however the usual increase in trade at the beginning of September has not been as robust as in previous years. September has seen the sharpest fall in prices since October 2008 but the market is showing much more resilience this time round and we are seeing encouraging signs for the last trading quarter of the year.

Following the crash in 2008 and the subsequent recession we at Premier Cru Fine Wine Investments saw a marked shift in investor attitude towards tangible asset classes. The Fine Wine market didn't hit bottom for 6 months before starting its rise back to previous levels and above. The current crisis should once more drive disillusioned investors to seek alternative ways to invest their money. Economists are openly promoting alternative asset classes for disillusioned investors.

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During the period under review, the delay by the Chateaux in the release of their wines to market created lethargy and initial concern, as merchants held back from their usual trading to wait for the 'imminent' April release. Unfortunately the Chateaux waited until the beginning of June until the first of the 'big names' released. This delay led to a softening of prices in the top wines, while the less expensive stock has held pretty firm; this market movement is not unusual and should be temporary. We do not expect to see a big movement over the summer months as many buyers and sellers take their summer holidays. It's a great time to buy, before the busy final quarter of the year.

In September, the market generally sees a big upsurge in trading as retail buyers get ready for the festive season, buying for Christmas and New Year; September also sees the start of the gift giving season in China which has in the past had a positive effect on prices.

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I am delighted to be able to report on this years' vintage having had the pleasure to taste the finest most exclusive wines on the planet. Paula Golding, Managing Director, Lara Jacobson, Director of Broking and I visited some of the most beautiful estates in the world, steeped in history, oozing with passion and mystique

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It has been a few months since our last newsletter, a period which has seen Premier Cru Fine Wine Investments further expand within Asia, and a renewed enthusiasm and high investment input from UK based investors buying heavily in a highly demanding environment.

There has been a higher than average growth in the market yet again this year with a plethora of opportunities opening and closing as the market continues to recover from the hangover of 2008 and the recovery in 2009. The index is up 38.69% year-on-year and 37.52% year-to-date. Traditionally the investment team at Premier Cru Fine Wine Investments beats the Liv-Ex Index growth by a considerable margin. This year was no exception. The majority of vintages have returned to their market high of 2008, earlier in the year, and have continued to gain financial weight. The outlook for 2011 is as exciting as it was heading into 2010.

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Bordeaux was fantastic! Premier Cru were, as expected, the only all female team out of an estimated 5000 visitors from around the globe; a distinction we are very proud of. The vintage showed very well, some chateau have made an outstanding wine but unlike the 2005 the quality of the vintage was not uniformly good, so making the right selection is essential. This means that the demand for the best wines will be high, added to which the demand for China's favourite three or four wines which include three of the five first growth's will make allocations very hard to secure in any quantity. Now all we have to do is to wait for the prices to be released and then fight for our allocations with the rest of the world. Our extensive negotiating skills will be tested to their fullest extent as we are expecting the campaign to be brutal this year, especially with the introduction of the Chinese buyers into the En Primeur market.

Key Points

• The 2009 is a great vintage, but not uniformly good across the board as was the case for the outstanding 2005.
• The rise in visitors to this year's En Primeur Tastings will push prices higher due to an increased demand.
• The wine trade as a whole expect the opening prices to be very high.
• Amazing investment opportunity - as long as you know what to expect.

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This is just a brief outline of the main news in the market since our previous update at the end of last year. We are off to Bordeaux at the end of the month and will be giving a full vintage report upon our return.

Premier Cru will have been featured on the CNBC-Europe business television network, following an invitation to forecast our views on where we, as Europe's leading investment house, see the market moving over the next twelve months. We have been invited back to give a report on the 2009 vintage and will let you know when the next interview is. If you want to see the interview please go to http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1432313695&play=1

A good place to start this latest update is by looking back at the quarter just gone, which saw the fine wine market lift by 5.8%i - setting the scene for another exciting year.

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The countdown has officially begun to Christmas and 2010, and following the upswing in fine wine prices since the Summer, now is the optimum time for you as an investor to think about how best to diversify your investment portfolio for next year. You don't have to be an ardent investor to make what Premier Cru believes to be a significant return in 2010, but you do need an adviser who can advise on the best wines to fill your stockings with and most importantly when to sell out at the best price.

Fine wine was not immune to last year's downturn; however, since the downturn sparked in October 2008, the market for quality wine has enjoyed a rapid turnaround with an average upswing of 12% across the board and leading wines returning in excess of 20%.

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Welcome to another bumper edition from your team here at Premier Cru. In this newsletter we address:

• What is En Primeur?
• How does an En Primeur Campaign work?
• What is unique about investing with Premier Cru?
• How the new vintage will affect the existing vintages?
• What makes the 2009 a good or great vintage?

Premier Cru strives to provide clients with information, especially when there is a great investment opportunity on the horizon. As expected and highlighted in our last newsletter we have some great news, and it comes in the ripened and juicy form of the 2009 harvest.

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For those of you who acted on our last 'call to arms' and purchased the 2008 parcel offered in last month's bumper newsletter we are proud to announce that once again we have scored a bull's-eye with our offers and advice. All the wines in the parcel have been well received in the trade, have established healthy secondary trading markets and have increased in price in the open market. We made you aware of the higher price we paid for the chateau Lafite-Rothschild, and assured you that we believed that it still represented a great investment opportunity and once Parkers scores were released Lafite was confirmed as one of the great wines of the vintage, this partnered with his score of 98-100points (out of 100) has increased the price by over £1,000 per case. The wine is continuing to increase in price and if, when the wine is re-tasted once it goes into bottle it has continued to improve and scores a final grade of 100 points the profit available in such a purchase is huge. Recent 100 point Lafite's such as the 2000 and 2003 vintages are trading between £8000 and £11,000 per case even at today's prices, and if it scores 98 points we still believe it will be in excess of £4,500 in just a few years, so there is still plenty of profit to be had. We have also secured allocations of some terrific and well priced Chateaux at under £650 per case so the investment opportunities are available for all.

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Dear Premier Cru Investor

At times this year, it did feel like the world as we all know it was beginning to spin uncontrollably off its axis. And while undoubtedly there will be more seismic judders in the months ahead, we will quickly have to get used to our new living, working and playing reality.

Change is all around us. A new President in the US, state ownership of much of the UK financial system, the list is endless. An end does however have a start, and we hope that the rewarding and resilient commodity that is fine wine remains at the forefront of your investment portfolios.

To help you along, and keep you as well informed as possible, the investment team here at Premier Cru is delighted to welcome you to the first of its highly anticipated Market Updates. There is so much happening in the world of fine wine investment with many compelling opportunities. This newsletter will hopefully not only arm you with a glimpse of our specialist insight, but will offer you the investor opportunities that are not available in such flexibility elsewhere in the market.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Monthly updates to keep you abreast of the market - April Newsletter Enclosed
• Re-designed and improved website launching May 2009. - New Improved Features
• Sign up to receive the Monthly Update by email or visit the new www.premiercru.com to view
• The 2008 En Primeur Campaign - 11th Hour Reprieve - Offer enclosed
• Please see the April Market Report for more detail about the vintage
• The Chinese Concept Special Offer - Offer enclosed

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