How to Buy Burgundy Wine at Auction: Expert Guide

Knowing how to buy Burgundy wine at auction means navigating a landscape of varying fees, condition assessments, and logistical requirements. Successful acquisition hinges on understanding the specific terms of each auction house, from buyer's premiums and applicable taxes to storage deadlines and shipping regulations. Thorough due diligence, including reviewing condition reports and planning for post-sale transport, is essential for securing your desired bottles from regions like Burgundy and ensuring a smooth transaction. This guide will help you understand the nuances of auction purchases, allowing you to make informed decisions for your cellar.

What are the primary costs when buying Burgundy at auction?

The total cost of a Burgundy wine purchased at auction extends beyond the hammer price. You will pay a buyer's premium, various taxes, and potentially storage and shipping fees.

Buyer's premiums vary significantly between auction houses:

Auction House	Wine/Spirits Buyer's Premium	Notes
Sotheby's	25%	Global Wines & Spirits rate: 24% plus 1% Overhead Premium.
Christie's	25%	London Wine rate. VAT is payable on the premium.
Bonhams	24%	Wine and Whisky rate in the United Kingdom. VAT at 20% is added to the premium.
Zachys	25%	Unless otherwise indicated.
iDealwine	25.8% incl. tax (21.5% excl. tax)	As of March 27, 2026. This is for auctions by SARL International Wine Auction.
WineBid	17%	Added to the final hammer price.

In addition to the buyer's premium, taxes can significantly impact your final cost. Christie's, for example, charges VAT on the buyer's premium at the applicable rate, and this VAT may not be shown separately on the invoice. For lots shipped to the United States, Christie's may collect sales or use tax on the hammer price, buyer's premium, and other charges, with the rate determined by the shipping destination. Zachys collects New York sales tax on purchases fulfilled in New York, but not for sales in Delaware. WineBid collects sales tax on purchases in Napa County, California, and in Direct Shipper States such as Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Wyoming. International shipments from WineBid are exempt from sales tax.

If you choose to purchase wines "in bond," such as those marked with a ‡ symbol at Christie's or iDealwine, no excise duty or clearance VAT will be charged on the hammer price. However, VAT will still be charged on the buyer's premium. If you opt to take wine duty paid, excise duty at current rates and clearance VAT on the duty-inclusive hammer price will be added to your invoice. HMRC specifies the duty for wine with an alcohol by volume (ABV) between 8.5% and 22% at £30.62 for each litre of pure alcohol in the product.

Additional fees can include credit card processing charges. Zachys applies a 2% processing fee for credit card payments. Christie's notes that payments made with a credit card issued outside the region of sale may incur a cross-border transaction fee. Storage fees also apply if wines are not collected promptly. Christie's charges storage costs from the 90th day following the auction. iDealwine accrues storage fees at €0.15 per bottle per day, effective from the 31st day after order confirmation. WineBid provides a minimum of two months of free storage at Global Storage Network (GSN) for all customers, with Collector tier members receiving four months and Pro tier members receiving six months.

How do auction houses describe wine condition?

Understanding condition descriptions is critical when buying fine wine, especially for older vintages. Auction houses generally sell lots "as is," meaning the buyer accepts the wine in its current state at the time of sale. Christie's states this explicitly, as do Zachys and WineBid.

Christie's emphasizes that their description of any lot, including its nature or condition, is their opinion rather than a statement of fact. They do not provide a guarantee regarding the nature of a lot, apart from their authenticity warranty. Condition reports serve as a convenience and for guidance only, providing an opinion that may not refer to all faults or defects. They are not an alternative to personal examination or professional advice.

Key terms you will encounter include "ullage," which Christie's defines as "the amount by which level of wine is short of being full." For old wines, natural variations in ullages, case conditions, labels, and corks are normal. Christie's states that it accepts no returns for these variations.

iDealwine also notes that information regarding wine levels, cork status, capsules, and labels is indicative only. They cannot guarantee the condition of the cork and are not responsible for information on bottle, back, neck labels, and corks, as these serve simply to identify the product. iDealwine's experts appraise wines and may remove bottles from sale if deemed unsuitable due to condition, such as levels "way below low shoulder," wine seepage past the cork, depigmentation, or labels that are too damaged. Those experts systematically test cork resistance for vintages prior to the year 2000, and pull bottles with depreciated or falling corks. For more on fill levels, consult our guide to wine ullage levels.

WineBid conducts a multi-point inspection by WSET Level 2 or 3 certified staff, providing high-resolution photographs and detailed condition notes for each bottle. Despite this rigorous process, WineBid states that all purchases are made "as is" and does not offer refunds or exchanges for issues like cork taint or oxidation that cannot be observed until the bottle is opened.

What are the registration and bidding processes?

Participating in a fine wine auction requires advance registration and adherence to specific bidding protocols. Each auction house has its own requirements and procedures for bidders. For a comprehensive overview of auction buying, refer to our guide on how to buy wine at auction.

Registration: New bidders at Christie's must register at least 48 hours before an auction. They require photo identification (such as a driving licence or passport) and proof of current address. Corporate clients need a Certificate of Incorporation and proof of directors and beneficial owners. Christie's may also request a financial reference or a deposit.

Zachys requires all bidders to register in advance and provide valid identification. New bidders may need a government-issued photo ID, a valid credit card, and a bank reference or proof of funds. If registering as a company, you need business documentation. Zachys uses Stripe Identity for verification, which may require a live photo. Bidders must confirm they meet the legal age to purchase alcohol: 21 years or older in the U.S. and 18 years or older in Hong Kong.

iDealwine requires bidders to be 18 years or older and to meet the legal requirements of their country. They must provide personal information, banking details, and proof of identity (ID card or passport) for wine auctions. iDealwine and its subsidiary, International Wine Auction SARL (IWA SARL), are legally obliged to implement systems to protect against fraud and money laundering.

Bidding: Auction houses offer various ways to place bids:

• In-person: You can register for a numbered bidding paddle at least 30 minutes before the auction at Christie's.
• Telephone bids: Christie's accepts phone bids if staff are available, with requests made at least 24 hours prior. Zachys offers telephone bids for lots valued above 16,000 HKD or 2,000 USD, with arrangements confirmed 48 hours prior.
• Internet bids: Christie's accepts bids through Christie's LIVE™. Zachys allows online bidding for live auctions approximately 3-4 weeks before the auction date. iDealwine conducts internet-only auctions.
• Written/Absentee bids: You can submit a Written Bid Form at any Christie's office or online at least 24 hours before the auction. Zachys also accepts absentee bids submitted at least 24 hours before the auction starts. iDealwine allows bidders to place bids based on the current price or by using a maximum bid feature.

Maximum Bids and Reserves: Many platforms offer a "maximum bid" feature. WineBid's system will auto-bid on your behalf against other bidders until it reaches your maximum. iDealwine's maximum bid system automatically readjusts your bid until another bid exceeds your set maximum.

Most lots are subject to a confidential "reserve," which is the minimum price below which the lot will not be sold. Christie's states that the reserve cannot be more than the lot's low estimate. The auctioneer may bid on behalf of the seller up to, but not including, the amount of the reserve. iDealwine allows consignors to set a reserve price, which cannot be higher than the low estimate. For a lot offered without reserve, the starting price may be 50% of the low estimate at Christie's or €1 at iDealwine.

Bidding increments vary by auction house and current bid amount. For example, Zachys' increments range from $10 for bids up to $100, to $2,000 for bids above $20,000. WineBid's increments range from $1 for bids up to $99, to $500 for bids of $5,000 and up.

Once you submit a bid, it is generally final, and you cannot cancel it. This is explicitly stated by Zachys, WineBid, and iDealwine. iDealwine also employs an "Overtime bidding" system: a bid in the final 5 minutes of an auction extends the lot by 5 minutes. Another bid in the last 30 seconds of that new closing time extends it by another 30 seconds, repeatable up to 9 times, for a maximum extension of 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

What are the storage and shipping considerations for auction purchases?

After a successful bid, managing the storage and transport of your new Burgundy acquisitions is a critical step. Understanding the terms for risk transfer, collection, and export/import is essential for protecting your investment. For more information on maintaining your collection, explore our guide on how to store wine.

Risk Transfer and Collection: The point at which risk and responsibility for the lot transfer to you varies by auction house. At Christie's, this occurs at the earlier of when you collect the lot or at the end of the 30th day following the date of the auction, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Zachys states that title passes to the buyer in the state or region where the auction occurs. iDealwine specifies that risks and responsibility transfer at the moment of collection by the buyer or delivery to the buyer.

Prompt collection matters. Zachys requires buyers to pick up purchases or make shipping arrangements within 14 calendar days of the auction. If you do not collect them, Zachys will transfer the wines to its storage at the buyer's expense. iDealwine states that it delivers lots only after full payment, and releases them only on presentation of the sales receipt.

Storage Services: Many auction houses offer or partner with storage facilities. WineBid places all wines purchased on its site into storage at Global Storage Network (GSN). WineBid customers receive a minimum of two months of free storage at GSN. Collector tier members receive four months of free storage, and Pro tier members receive six months.

Transport and Shipping: Buyers are generally responsible for arranging transport and shipping. However, auction houses can often assist. Christie's can arrange to pack, transport, and ship your property if requested, at your cost. They recommend asking for an estimate for large or high-value items. Zachys can assist with packing, transit insurance, and shipping at the buyer's expense, direction, and request. WineBid partners with GSN for "white glove storage and shipping services." Wines are packed in molded Styrofoam shippers for insured, alcohol-compliant transit.

Export and Import: Navigating international shipping for wine requires careful attention to regulations. Both Christie's and Zachys state that it is the buyer's sole responsibility to determine and satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws or regulations relating to the export or import of any lot purchased. Many countries and states impose limitations on the quantity of alcoholic beverages that can be imported, along with high duties and taxes. A delay in obtaining necessary licenses will not justify the cancellation of a sale or excuse delayed payment. Christie's charges a processing fee of £35.00 per invoice to check shipping/export documents, which Christie's waives if its Shipping Department arranges the export. iDealwine informs non-resident customers that the buyer's premium excludes customs and excise duties, which apply in accordance with local legislation.

How do different auction houses' fees compare?

Understanding the fee structures of various auction houses is essential for calculating your total acquisition cost. The buyer's premium is a significant component, but other charges like taxes and processing fees also contribute.

Auction House	Buyer's Premium (Wine/Spirits)	Credit Card Processing Fee	Storage Fees (Post-Free Period)	Notes on Taxes/Duties
Sotheby's	25%	Not specified	Not specified	Excludes local taxes and artist resale rates.
Christie's	25%	Cross-border fees may apply	From 90th day post-auction	VAT on premium; sales/use tax may apply to hammer and premium. Buyer responsible for export/import duties.
Bonhams	24%	Not specified	Detailed in catalogue	VAT at 20% on premium and charges.
Zachys	25%	2%	From 14 days post-auction	Sales tax collected in NY, not DE. Buyer responsible for tariffs/import duties.
iDealwine	25.8% incl. tax (21.5% excl. tax)	Not accepted (bank transfer/card)	€0.15 per bottle per day from 31st day post-order	VAT on gross margin regime or standard VAT. Customs/excise duties for non-EU residents.
WineBid	17%	Not specified	After 2-6 months free storage	Sales tax collected in CA and Direct Shipper States.

This comparison highlights the varying financial commitments beyond the hammer price. Always review the specific conditions of sale for each auction before bidding to understand the full cost implications for your target Burgundy wines.

What are the key considerations for condition and authenticity?

When investing in fine Burgundy, ensuring the condition and authenticity of the wine is paramount. Auction houses employ various measures and disclaimers to address these concerns.

Christie's states that they do not provide any guarantee in relation to the nature of a lot apart from their authenticity warranty. This warranty allows a buyer to claim a refund if, within 21 days of the auction, they notify Christie's in writing that the lot was short or ullaged, or that a catalogue statement of opinion was not well-founded. The lot must be returned in the same condition as at the auction date within 14 days of such notice. However, this warranty does not apply if the defect was mentioned in the catalogue, or if the catalogue description was in accordance with generally accepted expert opinion, or if the defect could only be established by a scientific process not generally accepted at the time of publication or one that was unreasonably expensive or damaging to the lot.

iDealwine's subsidiary, International Wine Auction (IWA SARL), guarantees that wines will be authentic and conform to their published descriptions. However, they cannot guarantee the condition of corks, and information on wine levels, corks, capsules, and labels is only indicative. iDealwine's experts conduct assessments, including testing cork resistance for vintages prior to 2000, and will remove bottles deemed unsuitable for sale due to issues like abnormally low fill levels, wine seepage, or damaged labels.

WineBid's process includes a multi-point inspection by WSET Level 2 or 3 certified staff to verify authenticity and protect against counterfeit wines. This system, built over nearly 30 years, includes validation checks specific to producer, vintage, and region. Every bottle carries a barcode, a high-resolution photograph, and detailed condition notes. Despite these efforts, WineBid states that all purchases are made "as is," and they do not offer refunds or exchanges for issues like cork taint or production imperfections that are only discoverable upon opening.

Ultimately, while auction houses provide descriptions and some guarantees, they generally advise buyers to conduct their own due diligence. Christie's states explicitly that condition reports are for guidance only and are not an alternative to examining a lot in person or taking professional advice. Zachys strongly encourages prospective buyers to examine any lots carefully before the auction at their temperature-controlled warehouse.

To track the market value of your Burgundy acquisitions and identify optimal selling or holding periods, use our feature to watchlist price history on /market-index.