Norway’s first legal wine auction this week was deemed a success, after nearly all the wine on the block attracted winning bids and one bottle, of a Chateau Petrus from 1950, sold for NOK 32,000 (USD 5,300).
All sales of wine and liquor are strictly regulated in Norway, and must be carried out under the auspices of the state Vinmonopolet. It finally teamed with Oslo-based auction house Blomqvist and the auction was well attended Monday night. News bureau NTB reported that by the time it was over, only 22 of 188 items on sale were unsold.
All told, the auction generated NOK 1.6 million after private collectors had dug into their cellars. The bottle of Chateau Petrus fetched the highest price of the evening, with wine importer Christopher Moestue telling state broadcaster NRK that it is one of the most sought-after wines and 1950 was a very good year.
NRK reported that buyers weren’t allowed to take their bottles home with them Monday evening, though. They had to wait to collect their purchases when Vinmonopolet, still firmly in control of wine sales, opened for business the next day.
newsinenglish.no staff
