Storing Wine - armit Personal Reserve

Where your wine lies today will most definitely decide its future. The world’s finest wines inevitably come from the world’s finest cellars.

Correct storage for a fine wine is one of the most difficult things to find, simply because the optimum conditions required to protect and mature wine to perfection are exceptionally difficult to produce and maintain artificially. Although many people are aware of the importance of storage conditions, they are often unaware of just how difficult those conditions are to provide. Even subtle or shortterm changes in humidity and temperature, or the presence of vibration or ultraviolet light, can bruise a fine wine beyond repair.

To help ensure that your wine matures to perfection and is without equal, you will need to find a place to store your fine wine that offers the optimum wine storage conditions. The quality and value of your wine is dependent on your selection, the following sections provide you with crucial information about elements that will have a direct effect on your wine.

Storage Options

We are pleased to be able to offer our clients a choice of two world class storage facilities: Corsham Cellars (part of Cert Octavian Group) or Vinothèque (part of London City Bond).

Long standing clients will know that the second storage option at Vinothèque has been offered since 2010. This is not because we are unhappy with Corsham but there has long been a demand for a less expensive solution. Premium, underground, long term storage is still available at Octavian, Corsham. The corresponding extra effort in terms of handling goods underground is reflected both in the rental and RH&D price (goods in charge). For the full breakdown of charges, please click here.

Customer stock, which can be stored either In Bond or Duty Paid, is fully labeled and completely secure. If you already have a Reserve Holding with us and would like to arrange a visit, then please contact the Reserves team on 020 7908 0630. If you wish to transfer your collection to us or are considering starting one, then we would be pleased to hear from you.

Buying wines In Bond

Wines bought In Bond have not yet had the Duty and VAT paid on them. They must be stored in a Bonded warehouse approved by HM Customs & Excise. The wine will become liable to Duty and VAT which will be invoiced (at the prevailing rates) when despatched from the warehouse unless it is transferred to another approved Bonded facility. The majority of our wines can be purchased In Bond.

Why Buy In Bond?

  • You do not have to pay the Duty and VAT. If you sell the wine at a later date In Bond, you will still not have to pay these charges.
  • Wines stored In Bond are more attractive to prospective buyers, be they merchants or private individuals.
  • The provenance is easier to trace if a wine has been kept In Bond which is another critical factor should you wish to sell.

Our Portfolio Management Service

Our portfolio management service, which is free for armit’s top customers, is dedicated to helping you manage your wine collection, be it for investment or drinking purposes. The service can be tailored to suit your specific requirements but primarily involves the following:

  • From an investment perspective: We will monitor the performance of your cellar, advising you of wines that may no longer be suitable for investment or have already reached their optimum value and putting you in touch with your wine advisor who can discuss an alternative investment wine with you.
  • From a drinking perspective: We will monitor the maturity of your cellar regularly to see if there are any wines that need drinking.
  • Reporting: A current market valuation of your portfolio will be sent to you on a quarterly basis, including up-to-date drinking dates for top wines.

Selling Your Wine

armit will either buy the wine back from you on an outright basis or list the wine on your behalf. We take 15% commission for outright purchases and 10% for listings. For outright purchases and listings, payment will be made to your sales ledger account at the end of the following month. This date is subject to condition checks and receipt of the wine. It is not the date an agreement is reached.

armit is always on the look out for back vintages of top wines and would be interested in purchasing well cellared stock from customers. If you wish to sell any of your wine holdings (stored with armit or elsewhere) then please contact the Reserves Team on 020 7908 0630 and we will offer a fair and competitive price. You can also see your Reserves online by logging into your account here.

Security

With armit, you can be safe in the knowledge that your wine collection is secure. Comprehensive insurance included in your reserves charges means that your wines are fully insured against breakages and losses. Should the worst occur, we aim, if possible, to replace your wine, but where replacement is not possible, you will be reimbursed at full market value for the wine. Cases are identified by your name, a unique rotation number, and the wine details (wine name, grower, vintage & case size).

Reserve Statements

In January each year we will send you a statement of your Reserve that itemises the wines we hold for you and acts as a stock certificate. We will also provide valuations for the top Classed Growth Bordeaux, top Burgundies and great Italians that we hold for you. You can also view your reserve report online by logging in.

Transferring your wine to armit Reserves

We are happy to arrange a collection from your home or receive wine for you from another wine merchant. Please advise us in writing when transferring your wines from elsewhere and please instruct delivery to one of the following warehouses:

AR3                                          ARM002
Cert Octavian                        Vinotèque
Gastard                                   Derby Road
Corsham                                 Burton-Upon-Trent
Wiltshire                                 Staffordshire
SN13 9PP                                DE14 1RY

Transfers

Unlike many of our competitors, we are happy to store wines bought from other merchants for you. We charge a Receipt, Handling and Pro-Rata Rental fee on arrival. Please click here for the current charges. We provide a condition photograph of your wine for validation purposes. These should be checked for accuracy and discrepancies notified immediately. Wines to be stored should be advised, in writing/email, before arrival. Where this is not done, armit cannot accept liability for errors, loss or damage on receipt. Transfers from your reserves within Octavian are free of charge.

Withdrawing Wine from your Reserve

Wine can only be released from storage upon receipt of written/email instruction. To arrange delivery please contact your client advisor or email the Reserves team direct at reserves@armit.co.uk. We can deliver within three working days to most UK mainland addresses outside the M25 and we offer a next day delivery service to any location within the M25. Cases may not be split for delivery unless remaining bottles are re-packed. There will be an additional charge for this service.

Delivery Charges

For all wines delivered from Reserves to UK mainland addresses, irrespective of the number of cases delivered, we levy a charge which is currently £15.

Export Service

If you wish to ship your wines overseas we will be happy to arrange this for you. For enquiries please contact the Operations team on 020 7908 0630 or email operations@armit.co.uk.

Mixed Cases

As of March 2009 we are able to insure mixed cases upon request at a cost of £9 + VAT per case. Conditions apply. Mixed cases cannot be split for delivery.