Remember this? It would seem that investors are still putting their money into wine as a safe haven, as opposed to stock, and it’s also great to hear that Australia is starting to be taken seriously when it comes to ultra-fine wine.

Last week, fine wine auctioneers, Langton’s, reported that Australia’s ultra-fine wines increased in value by 64% during the past two years, defying the slump in the international fine wine market. The increase contrasts with an estimated drop of 20% since July 2007 in the Bordeaux-dominated international market.

No-one needs to tell us about how fine Australian wine can be. The upper Glaetzer range, including the Amon-Ra, has great ageing potential, with the likes of Langmeil producing wine to last 15 years and beyond, and the ‘04 Woodstock “Stocks” Shiraz, although drinking well now, could perhaps do with another year or two to fulfil its true potential.

Langton’s fine wine principal, Andrew Caillard, added that there was less ultra-fine wine produced in Australia than in Bordeaux and Burgundy. A top Bordeaux winery produced about 10,000 cases or more a year compared with 100 to 6000 by Australian equivalents. Those Old World die hards can write off Australian vintners at their pearl.

If you’re looking to invest in wine, whether it’s for financial investment or for future indulgence, do your homework first. Remember that the vast majority of wines are to be drank young - many (particularly inexpensive wines) will not drink well beyond three years. Don’t be afraid to ask a member of staff on their opinion. A good wine merchant will know their wines well enough to advise on ageing. When you get the wine home, store it somewhere cool where the temperature won’t fluctuate too much, and lay it on its side to prevent the cork drying out.