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Welcome to iDealwine, world leader in online wine auctions, and an online shop for Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne...

iDealwine in a few figures

50+

auctions per year

Sell your wine at the best price:
online auctions and outright purchases

Whether you'd like to sell a few bottles, an entire collection or find out the value of an inheritance, we'll provide the solution that suits you best, with a free estimate and no obligation.

How do I sell my wine on the internet?

Sell your wine at the best price in 4 easy steps:

  1. 01

    Send us your wine list (it's free and without any obligation to sell)

  2. 02

    Transport, valuation and storage

  3. 03

    Sale

    Online wine auctions

    4 to 5 sales a month, reaching 650,000 wine lovers in more than 65 countries. Each auction runs for 10 days to maximise competition.

    Outright purchase

    iDealwine offers you a fixed price to buy your bottles outright with no bids or delays – the ideal option for quick payment.

  4. 04

    Results and payment

Why consign your wines with iDealwine?

  • Over 25 years of experience from France's leading fine wine auctioneer

  • A quick, free estimate of your wines from our experts, based on the current market

  • A bespoke advisory service to support you every step of the way (how to create lots, etc.)

  • A comprehensive guarantee covering transport, storage and sale preparation

  • Secure payment, guaranteed by our status as a licensed auction house

  • Effortless system from appraisal to delivery to the final buyer

  • Every bottle showcased on the website (photos, detailed description, information about the estate and the wine)

  • Maximum visibility: your bottles seen by a global audience. Our New York, Hong Kong and Singapore offices enhance our reach with buyers in these markets.

How do I sell my wine? Online auction or outright purchase – what's the difference?

There are two ways to sell. Here we compare the options so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Best price

Auction

It's the ideal solution for wines with high potential. Showcasing your bottles to 650,000 buyers worldwide creates competition like no other. Grand crus, mature vintages and sought-after estates often go under the hammer for more than their pre-sale estimates, especially if you've built up your collection as a passionate enthusiast – a talent-spotter ahead of the crowd.

How it works: your lots are put up for sale with a reserve price (set at the low estimate), below which they cannot be sold. You can also choose to start bidding at €1, an option that sparks healthy competition and can deliver some welcome surprises by attracting a large number of bidders to follow and bid on the lot.

Request an auction estimate
The quickest option

Outright purchase

If your wines are in line with those that iDealwine regularly sells on its website, we may make you an offer for a lump-sum purchase of your wine. In that case, the price will be based on the low estimate provided to you, minus the consignor's fees. No bidding, no waiting, no risk of lots going unsold. Outright purchase is ideally suited to substantial collections or whenever swift payment is required.

Request an outright purchase
AuctionsOutright purchase
Price obtainedBest possible priceFixed price guaranteed
Payment time~35 days after the saleImmediate
Ideal forGrand crus, mature vintages, rare winesEntire collections, quick sale, recent vintages
If the lot does not sellLot reoffered free of charge in a subsequent auctionNo unsold stock, guaranteed purchase

Give your wines international exposure

iDealwine finds you the right buyers

Free estimate

What wines can you sell on iDealwine?

iDealwine is the best site to sell wines from all the leading French and international appellations, as well as rare wines and mature vintages... You can sell anything from a single bottle to an entire collection of several hundred bottles.

The most coveted regions and appellations

  • Burgundy

    Romanée-Conti, Gevrey-Chambertin, Meursault, Chablis Grand Cru...

  • Bordeaux

    Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Médoc, Sauternes...

  • Champagne

    prestige wines, mature vintages

  • The Rhône Valley, the Loire Valley, Jura, Alsace, Languedoc

    renowned producers

  • Wines of the world

    Italy, Spain, California, Australia...

Rare wines, icons, rising stars, mature vintages and large formats

A wine's value depends on its appellation, vintage, estate and how well it has been stored. To find out what your bottles are worth, check our wine price guide or request a free estimate.

A few notable recent sales

  • Georges Roumier 1988 Musigny - iDealwine auction

    Georges Roumier's 1988 Musigny

    €14,089 (+49%)

    1 bottle

  • 1999 Côtes du Jura Les Vignes de mon Père, Domaine Jean-François Ganevat - iDealwine auction

    1999 Côtes du Jura Les Vignes de mon Père from Domaine Jean-François Ganevat

    €7,440 (+35%)

    1 bottle

  • 1990 Hermitage Cuvée Cathelin, Jean-Louis Chave - iDealwine auction

    1990 Hermitage Cuvée Cathelin by Jean-Louis Chave

    €1,635 (+22%)

    1 bottle

Sell privately or via iDealwine?

Many sellers wonder whether it's better to sell wine privately (online or among friends, etc.) or to use a specialist website. Here is the reality:

The risks of private sales between individuals

  • Under- or overpricing: without a grasp of the market, you risk letting bottles go for far less than they're worth or, conversely, pricing them too high and failing to find a buyer.
  • No legal safeguards: no contract with a risk of disputes and non-payment
  • Limited visibility (no advertising or marketing support to promote your sale)
  • Lack of expertise: an uninformed buyer may question a wine's value

Why iDealwine is the best website for selling your wine to fellow wine lovers

  • Guaranteed market price: our auctions bring together 650,000 buyers worldwide who compete for your wines.
  • A secure legal framework: iDealwine operates through International Wine Auction, a registered auction house with the French Conseil des Maisons de Ventes (CMV).
  • Complete service: insurance, valuation, transport, photography, listing for sale
  • Traceability: every bottle is authenticated by our experts

In short: selling privately may seem easier, but you run the risk of selling below the market price, sometimes very significantly so. With iDealwine, you reach a worldwide audience on a secure, professional website, with nothing to manage.

Selling an inherited collection or mature vintages

Do you have bottles that are covered in dust and don't know what they're worth? Yellowed labels, fill levels that have dipped a little, vintages you can no longer even date? That's often where the finest surprises are hidden, and iDealwine is the website to uncover them.

Mature vintages of prestigious wines are among the most sought-after lots at our auctions. A Bordeaux from the 1980s, a Burgundy from the 1990s, an old bottle of prestige Champagne: these wines can fetch prices far above their original purchase price, sometimes 15 or even 20 times as much.

What you need to know before selling your mature vintages

  • The condition of the bottle matters, but not as much as you might think: a slightly damaged label or a slightly low fill level won't put off our expert buyers, though a modest price reduction may be applied.

  • Some wines increase dramatically in value over time. Appellations once considered modest have become highly sought-after today (Jura, for example).

  • Free estimate: if you're in any doubt, just ask. Expect the occasional surprise.

Have you just inherited a collection? iDealwine regularly assists with estate settlements and will support you every step of the way:

  • Inventory and valuation

    valuation of each bottle at current market prices, with a document suitable for probate and estate distribution

  • Strategic advice

    auctions for high-potential bottles, outright purchase for the rest, organising bottles into lots...

  • Transport and logistics

    our team organises how your wines get to us.

  • Flexible payment terms

    immediate (outright purchase) or within 35 days (auctions)

Would you like to find out more about having inherited wine valued? Discover our complete guide to selling inherited wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is iDealwine the best website for selling your wine online?

Whether you are looking to sell collectible wine, mature vintages, or simply good wines, iDealwine is the best site to do so. Through International Wine Auction – a licensed auctioneer and subsidiary of iDealwine – we have been the leading wine auction house since 2014 and the world leader, trusted by more than 650,000 wine lovers worldwide. By bringing your wines to a global audience, iDealwine guarantees a real market price – one that no wine merchant or private sale can match. Since 2000, iDealwine has been the go-to place for price estimates, selling and buying fine wines.

Auctions or outright purchase of your collection: how to choose?

Both solutions co-exist at iDealwine and cater to different needs. Auctions are ideal for achieving the best price: your lots reach 650,000 buyers, competitive bidding drives prices up, and payment is made within 35 days. Outright purchase is the quickest solution: iDealwine buys your wines directly at an agreed price, ideal for clearing a cellar quickly, settling an estate, or receiving immediate payment. If in doubt, our experts are on hand to offer free advice, and a single collection can easily combine both options.

Which wines do you accept? Is it possible to sell a single bottle?

iDealwine accepts a wide range of wines, including from all the major French and international appellations: Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, the Rhône Valley, the Loire Valley, Alsace, but also Italy, Spain, the United States, Australia and many more. There's no minimum quantity: you can offer anything from a single bottle to an entire collection of several thousand bottles. A bottle of a sought-after wine, whether a grand cru or from a mature vintage, can find a buyer on the same terms, and sometimes at a price that will surprise you. Some less sought-after wines or bottles in very poor condition may not be accepted. If in doubt, we offer a free estimate with no obligation to commit.

Can older bottles, or those not in perfect condition, be sold?

Yes, older bottles can be sold at auction – mature vintages included. In fact, the age of the vintage, which goes hand in hand with rarity, is one of the key drivers of value for fine wines.

By contrast, for wines that are not made for long ageing, age may simply mean the peak has passed, leaving a bottle valued mainly as a collector's item or as a snapshot of its era.

Condition issues are not a barrier to sale, provided they do not affect the quality of the wine. For example, a moisture‑marked label or a slightly scuffed capsule can, in some cases, even signal to our passionate buyers that the wine has been well stored, for instance, in a natural cellar with good humidity.

By contrast, the wine level in the bottle (relative to its age) and the condition of the cork remain crucial indicators that our experts examine closely, as they can signal poor storage or a quality fault.

In that case, the bottle will be withdrawn from sale. Our specialists assess each bottle individually and advise you on resale. If in doubt, send us your list and we'll provide you with a free estimate.

How do you sell your collection as part of an inheritance estate?

iDealwine regularly assists with inheritance and estate matters and has developed a bespoke support service. In some cases, our experts can visit you to take an inventory and value the collection, producing a useful report to support a fair division among heirs. We then advise you on the best sales strategy: auctions for high-potential bottles, or outright purchase for immediate settlement if the probate timetable requires it. Our teams take care of all the logistics; there's nothing for you to manage. Contact us with details of your situation via our valuation form. Our team will respond promptly.

What is the estimate based on?

The iDealwine Price Estimate is regularly updated and is an average calculated from most recent auction results from throughout France. It corresponds to the hammer price plus the buyer's premium. The estimation sent to consignors excludes the buyers premium which is why there is a difference in price. In practice, the amount you can expect to receive is very close to the price estimate, minus the consignor's commission.

How do online wine auctions work?

Each auction runs for about ten days on our website. Buyers place bids from across the globe, around the clock. The reserve price, set at the lower end of the estimate range, is the minimum price below which your lot cannot be sold. You can also choose not to set a reserve price and start the bidding at €1. This option often sparks a bidding frenzy that sends prices soaring. An automatic extension at the end of the auction in the case of bids being placed in the final seconds ensures fairness for all bidders. Your results are sent to you within 24 hours of closing.

Can I fix a minimum price for the sale of my wines?

During the evaluation of your collection, iDealwine will give you a high and low estimate for each lot. The reserve price, set at the lower end of the estimate range, is the minimum price below which your lot cannot be sold and also serves as the starting price at auction. You can also choose not to set a reserve price and start the bidding at €1. This option sparks competition between bidders and often proves a great success - with many buyers tracking the lot. Our specialists reserve the right to revise estimates downwards if the bottles do not match the original description. In such cases, your approval will be required. iDealwine also reserves the right to refuse lots whose condition is deemed unsatisfactory.

What are the fees and payment terms?

The consignor's fee is charged once the wines have been sold and is calculated on the basis of the number and value of the bottles. It covers the cost of appraisal, insurance, storage and promotion to our buyers around the world (we have offices in Paris, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore). Our fee is calculated as a percentage of the price of your wines and varies with volume; we will set it out transparently when we provide you with your estimate. In the case of an outright purchase, the commission is deducted directly from the amount paid.

Your guaranteed payment will be issued within 35 days of the auction ending, by cheque or bank transfer (if you send your bank details to estimate@idealwine.com). Unlike most auction houses, iDealwine guarantees payment even if the buyer has not yet paid for the lot by the scheduled payment date. For an outright purchase, payment is made immediately after the wines have been checked, by cheque or bank transfer. In both cases, iDealwine guarantees your transaction will be completed successfully.

Can I follow the auction in real time and see the results?

Yes. You can monitor your wines throughout the auction process. Use your iDealwine account to track bids on each of your lots in real time. Once the auction is closed, you will receive an email detailing the results for each of the lots up for sale 24 hours after the end of the final auction.

How will my wines be transported?

iDealwine is the best place to sell your wine as there is no logistics to worry about. You have several options:

1/ Transport arranged with a partner or by you. Send your wines via Colissimo with special packing and pre-paid labels supplied by iDealwine (France only - fees payable by you) or use a carrier of your choice (we recommend a specialist wine carrier with ad valorem insurance).

2/ Dropping off the wines at our warehouses. You can make an appointment with our Sales department on +33 (0)1 56 05 86 10 (with at least 72 hours' notice), bringing a form of ID and the list of wines prepared in advance.

In all cases, please send us the shipping details and a packing list before dispatch. Our teams are available to advise you on the best solution.

Are the wines insured and correctly packaged during transport?

All of the transportation options organised by iDealwine is value insured (ad valorem insurance). In the case of an accident during transport, your wines are reimbursed at the median value of the estimation given (the average of the high and low estimates). In the case that you choose to send your wines with Colissimo, we will provide specially adapted packaging. If you are organising transport yourself, the wines must be shipped in suitable packing (wooden cases or reinforced cardboard boxes). We're happy to send them upon request, depending on the quantity and where you're based.

Where are my wines stored and how will I be informed when they arrive?

At every stage of the sale from receipt to dispatch, the bottles are stored in a secure facility at an appropriate temperature. iDealwine has taken out insurance that covers the company to store wine for third parties. We'll email you as soon as we receive your wines. Once the bottles have been verified, you will receive confirmation of reception by email.

What happens if some of my wines do not find a buyer?

If your wines don't find a buyer during the auction, they are automatically entered into the next sale at no additional cost. You can lower the reserve price or split the lots to attract more buyers. If you would prefer to collect your bottles, you can do so free of charge (excluding any applicable transport costs) by making an appointment with the Consignors Team (estimate@idealwine.com / info@iwa-auction.com) at least one week before your preferred collection date. However, lots cannot be withdrawn before the end of the first sale.

How to resell your spirits?

Do you have a nice bottle of whisky, rum, Chartreuse, gin, Armagnac, Cognac, vodka, tequilla, brandy, or saké in your collection? Have your bottles valued so you know its current market value. Once you have the estimated value, you could resell it on our sister website Fine Spirits Auction, which regularly organises auctions of rare and collectable spirits.

Sell your wine by region

Explore our in-depth guides