Wines have always been collected for various motives, especially special qualities or vintages. From the 1980s onwards, a scene of its own developed worldwide, in which the focus is not on consumption but on acquisition and the expected profit on resale. This is popular above all with well-funded private individuals, but also with companies in Asia(China, Japan, South Korea), in Germany and in the USA. Special, expensive rarities are mostly offered in auctions by famous auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's. In connection with an intention to make a profit, subscription (advance sale) is also not uncommon. A famous collector of old and special wines is the Frenchman François Audouze (*1943). Another was the German music manager Hardy Rodenstock (1941-2018), although there have been rumours of forgery in some cases. Another related collector is the US entrepreneur, oil and energy magnate William "Bill" Koch (*1940). On this topic, see also oldest wines, wines of the century and most expensive wines in the world, as well as other superlatives in viticulture under records.
There is a vast number of sources on the web where one can acquire knowledge about wine. But none has the scope, timeliness and accuracy of the information in the encyclopaedia at wein.plus. I use it regularly and rely on it.
Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen