The U.S. matched Hong Kong in wine auction sales by the five largest houses in the final three months of last year after outstripping it in the second quarter, in a sign of weakened Chinese demand for top Bordeaux in 2012.
Sales in the U.S., excluding internet events, totaled $46.5 million in the quarter to Dec. 31, compared with $46.0 million in Hong Kong, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from Acker Merrall & Condit, Christie’s International, Sotheby’s, Zachys and Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. Second-quarter wine sales amounted to $37.0 million in the U.S. and $31.2 million in Hong Kong.
