Ephesians

Invest in Wine Futures En primeur or wine futures is one of the best ways to invest in the wine industry if you want to diversify your portfolio in the fine wine market. However, such an undertaking involves various risks and factors worth considering before spending money. What do Wine Futures Mean? The idea of wine futures has been around since the 18th century when a group of wine merchants in Bordeaux agreed to buy wine before it was bottled. The practice became more popular in the 1970s when it was considered a good investment or business. It became a worldwide practice in 1982 when those who had invested in en primeur wines that year reaped tremendous benefits. Future wines mean buying vintage wine in barrel samples, which usually means a lower purchase price and higher returns. Wine experts taste the wines when they are in the barrels and give reviews and scores used to determine the price, and the wines are bottled after approximately two years.  Some wine producers set their own prices depending on production expenses and other factors. How it Works Many wine regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Port, and Piedmont host wine enthusiasts and tasters to sample certain wines. The en primeur system in those places has well-established supply chains that you follow to buy wine futures, then wait for delivery after a stipulated period. Part of the rules is that only those registered in the Place de Bordeaux system can purchase wines from the top estates – the very top ones show wines at private tastings that require an appointment. Others have central trade tasting. Some estates require well-established buyers only. Being on a list with certain wine merchants increases your chances of buying wine from good producers, but getting the best collectible wines for the first time is impossible. Wine professionals throng the Bordeaux every spring for the en primeur wine futures event. Journalists, buyers, retailers, and importers get samples of the latest vintage wines from oak barrels. Some chateaus send the wines to the merchants through courtiers and categorize previous buyers in the first tranche, an advantage because the second tranche is more expensive. Wine Futures vs. Pre-Orders Wine futures are sold in barrels, while pre-orders are available in bottles. En primeur means taking a chance on a wine that does not exist in the market yet. You wait several months – more than a year – before getting the vintage wine. Despite that, wine investment provides more stability than other options, including gold assets. They appreciate over time and have the potential for high returns that riskier investments lack. Reasons to Buy Wines Before They are Bottled Authenticity You do not risk buying unauthentic wine when you use the en primeur wine system. You forge a relationship with the producers for future purposes, giving you access to new vintage wines as soon as they become available. Great release price The main reason for investing in wine futures is lower prices than what you would pay to purchase individual bottles – they are more affordable than wine that has already reached the market. Given the high demand, prices can increase quickly after good scores during a tasting. Additionally, buying young wines leaves room for maturity and possible growth in value. Accessibility Finding investment-grade wine after it reaches the market is also more challenging because the prestigious ones are often limited. Available wines cost more, even if they are in a different format. Wine futures present an opportunity to acquire limited wines, perfect them for years, and sell them at higher prices to a wine auction buyer. Valuable collection Buying wines directly from producers lays a foundation for starting a collection. You get the wines in their original casing from the producing estate, making an excellent gift choice. You can also celebrate special occasions with them by pairing dates with the wine year. Variations Wine futures can be in various bottle sizes, ranging from double magnums or imperials to half bottles. You can get a distinctive bottle as a collectible for your wine cellar. The unique bottles become scarce after they hit the market; therefore, you can sell them to another wine enthusiast at a higher cost. Some estates produce limited en primeur wines in small sets. Getting a wine bottle becomes impossible. The only way to get limited editions of the latest vintages, including vintage champagne, is to buy futures. Risks Associated with Wine Futures Investments One of the biggest concerns in wine futures is the hiked costs. There was a turning point in 2010, and prices for buying futures have been higher since then, reaching levels that do not bring profits for the investors. Only the best vintages increase in value as they age, but that does not guarantee profits. However, you can understand the quality of each wine from the vintage reports by the professionals as they take time to assess and report each year’s crop. Remember, other factors like weather can influence the quality of wine from some places, including Bordeaux futures. Investment-worthy Wine Futures Wine futures do not guarantee a return on investment – no assurance that you will sell wine at a higher cost than you bought it, even though they are more stable than other investment assets. You can mitigate that risk by identifying fine wines that grow in value - around 1% of the wines produced globally. Examples include wines from Rhone Valley, Vintage Port, Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and Burgundy. You can check for specific en primeur wines from those producers, paying more attention to the critic’s score. Wines with a 96% and above score have an average age of 15 years, meaning you will not sell for at least a decade after it is bottled. How to Purchase Wine Futures Anyone can start buying wine futures, ranging from a wine enthusiast or a collector looking to buy wine for personal use to those investing in wine funds or creating a wine collection for investment purposes.  You can check for pre-arrival wines online or in an auction house to identify the ones yet to be released. Buy the en primeur, then wait for bottling and shipping after around two years. You can also rely on a renowned wine merchant for the purchase.  Start Investing in Vintages The price of wine futures has changed in recent years, affecting the overall market. One of the significant elements for that change is geographic conditions – demand is increasing in North America, Asia, South America, and other regions. However, you can start working with a wine producer to begin a fine wine collection and grow your investment portfolio.

Welcome to our new sermon series on the Book of Ephesians by the Apostle Paul. As we delve into this powerful letter, we will discover its timeless truths and how they still apply to our lives today. Written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, this letter is one of his most profound and theological writings.

Throughout this series, we will explore themes such as unity in Christ, spiritual blessings, grace, salvation through faith, and living a life worthy of our calling. These are all essential elements for us to understand as we seek to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God.

The Book of Ephesians is not just a historical document but a living and active word that can transform our hearts and minds. It challenges us to live out our faith authentically and encourages us to share the gospel with others boldly. We hope that through this series, you will understand God’s love for you and be inspired to live a life that honours Him.