Webber's Wine Sale

If you ever want to get a feel for how the other half lives, check out the sales at Sotheby's Auction House. Though more famous for itself world renowned art auctions, if it has the patina of bling -- or rather, cha-ching -- you just might find it here.

Last week at Sotheby's Hong Kong, the wine collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber was sold of for $5.6 million dollars. The wine cellar sellers were anticipating $2.8 to 4 million, so there will no doubt be bonus checks cut from that event.

Now what, pray tell, could possibly give a wine collection that kind of value? I've had fine wine and, yes, it is better than cheap wine, but....

It's likely the history of the wine that makes it special. A drawing of a kitten on a napkin may not mean much, but when J.F.K. puts his initials on it, you suddenly have a collectible.

A story in the International Business Times offers additional details...

"This was a tremendously exciting sale which reflected the great quality and range of Andrew Lloyd Webber's cellar. Top Bordeaux and red Burgundy really 'took off', but it was particularly warming to see knowledgeable Asian buyers snapping up the fabulous white Burgundies from what must be the best selection so far offered in the region," said Serena Sutcliffe M.W., Head of Sotheby's International Wine Department.

According to the article the collection included "first growths in key vintages such as 1982, 2000 and 2005." I'm no wine snob, but it sounds like you might impress someone by remembering those key years. I have to assume this is a reference to select European wines and not just any old wines from Argentina, Australia, or South Africa.

In case it escaped you, this is the same Andrew Lloyd Webber who wrote Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar and a host of additional credits too numerous to list. The most commercially successful composer in history? Some have said so. I never knew he was a wine aficionado. But then again, there's a lot you don't know about me, either.

Till next.