On the Cost of Classified Bordeaux Wines

Lindsay Morriss is a very good young writer based out of Bordeaux. She has an article on the Cork'd website about the cost of Classified Bordeaux wines. She makes some excellent point, most notably that most Bordeaux wines are actually quite affordable. But, the classified growths will always be more expensive because:

However, looking ahead, basic supply and demand factors virtually guarantee that the region's Grand Cru wines will continue to fetch high prices. The supply is static - government regulation ensures that vineyards don't overproduce in order to maintain high quality. Globally, demand is actually rising, with new markets emerging in China, Russia and beyond. Couple this with a great image and reduced wine tariffs (just look at Hong Kong) and you've got your answer to the original question..basic supply and demand.

A very good article.