Wine as a business and investment: how billionaire collectors make money from elite bottles

A glass of wine in the world of millionaires has long since become more than just a drink. It's a status symbol, a cultural marker, and even a financial instrument. Rare bottles sell for millions of dollars at auction, are stored as investment assets in private cellars, and some collectors open them only once a year, savoring the moment.

But what really drives people to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single bottle? Are collectible wines a reliable asset that yields better returns than stocks and real estate? Which brands and regions traditionally bring investors the highest returns? And most importantly, is an expensive glass of wine today more about status and prestige than about taste?

About all this LIGA.net I spoke with Oleksandr Karpus, the owner of the largest collection of alcohol in Ukraine, a researcher of beverage culture, and an advocate for conscious consumption.

Reasons for buying expensive wines

– What motivates collectors and connoisseurs to buy the most expensive wines?