A dedicated reference guide to the language most commonly used when buying and selling through LANGTONS.
Whether you are new to collecting or already deeply familiar with fine wine, a shared language helps make every purchase and sale more informed. This guide explains the terms you are most likely to encounter in lot descriptions, catalogues and account settings.
For auction bidding, payment and shipping terms, you may also wish to read our related help articles.
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How to use this guide
When reviewing a lot description, it is helpful to consider several elements together, including:
- age of the wine
- fill level
- bottle size
- label condition
- capsule condition
- packaging
- provenance notes
No single detail tells the full story. A bottle with light cosmetic wear may still be highly desirable if provenance is strong, while a pristine label does not guarantee perfect storage history. The best results come from reading the full lot description carefully and understanding how these factors work together.
Auction and buying terms
| Lot |
A Lot is a single item, or multiple items grouped together, sold as one unit for a single price. A Lot may include:
Lots are sold as listed and cannot be divided after sale. |
| Estimate per bottle |
The estimate per bottle is the expected price range for a Lot, expressed per bottle unless otherwise stated. Estimates are based on historical sales data, current market conditions and availability. They are provided as a guide only and are not a guaranteed sale price. |
| Bid |
A Bid is an offer of a specified amount for a particular Lot during an auction. At LANGTONS, bids are generally placed per bottle, except where the listing states otherwise, such as for:
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| Current bid | The Current Bid is the highest bid currently placed on a Lot in real time. |
| AutoBid |
AutoBid allows you to enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a Lot. The system will then bid on your behalf, only as needed, up to your nominated maximum. This helps you remain competitive without having to increase your bid manually throughout the auction. |
| Passed in |
A Lot is Passed In when bidding does not reach the seller’s Reserve. A passed-in Lot may later be offered through a second chance process, where eligible bidders or watchers may be invited to purchase the Lot at reserve. |
| Reserve |
The Reserve is the minimum price at which a Lot may be sold. Reserve prices are confidential and are not published to bidders. |
| Buyer’s Premium |
The Buyer’s Premium is the fee LANGTONS charges on successful auction purchases. It is currently 18% including GST The Buyer’s Premium is added to the final Hammer Price at the close of the auction. It is only payable if you are the successful bidder. |
| Vendor Commission | Vendor Commission is the fee paid by the seller to LANGTONS for the sale of wine through LANGTONS auctions. |
| Hammer Price | The Hammer Price is the final successful bid for a Lot, before the Buyer’s Premium is added. |
| GST |
GST is included in the Buyer’s Premium. Where GST also applies to the Hammer Price of a Lot, this will be clearly identified in the catalogue or lot listing. |
| Auto shipping | When selected, Auto Shipping means LANGTONS will dispatch your eligible auction purchases on the next business day after the auction closes. |
| Consolidated shipping |
When selected, Consolidated Shipping means LANGTONS will automatically group eligible auction purchases for dispatch every 30 days. Automatic consolidated shipping is calculated based on the oldest unshipped invoice in your account. If that invoice is more than 30 days old:
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| Storage |
If a shipping option is not selected, LANGTONS may store eligible auction purchases in its temperature-controlled warehouse. Current storage fee:
Please note that storage charges, shipping fees and buyer charges may change from time to time. |
Ullage and fill levels
Ullage, sometimes referred to as the fill level, describes the level of wine in a bottle and is one way of assessing a wine’s condition.
Wine is naturally lost over time through evaporation. The ullage level can provide useful insight into how a wine has been stored and cared for over its life.
If no ullage or fill-level note appears in the lot description, the bottle is generally considered to have a fill level within the normal acceptable range for its age and style, unless otherwise stated.
Why ullage matters
Fill level should always be considered in the context of:
- the wine’s age
- bottle shape
- rarity
- storage history, where known
For example, a fill level that may be acceptable in a 40-year-old Burgundy could be considered poor in a much younger wine.
Freight and storage risk
Bottles with the following conditions, may carry a higher risk of leakage during transit or long-term storage.:
- low ullage
- signs of seepage
- compromised closures
Buyers should take this into account when bidding on older wines or bottles with lower fill levels.
Bordeaux-style bottle fill levels
These fill-level descriptions apply to:
- Bordeaux
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Penfolds Grange
- similar bottle shapes
| Base of neck |
Indicates very minimal reduction due to evaporation. This is considered an excellent fill level for any wine 10 years or older. |
| Just below base of neck |
Indicates minimal reduction due to evaporation. This is considered a very good fill level for any wine 15 years or older. |
| Very high shoulder |
Indicates a slight natural reduction due to evaporation through the cork and capsule. This is considered a good fill level for any wine 15 years or older. |
| High shoulder | A normal fill level for Bordeaux-style wines 20 years or older. |
| Mid-high shoulder |
Indicates natural reduction through easing of the cork and evaporation through the cork and capsule. Buyers should inspect the wine carefully or request a condition report where available. |
| Mid-shoulder |
Indicates some weakening of the cork and an increased risk of oxidation. This is not unusual in wines over 50 years old, and estimates generally reflect this. Bottles from important older vintages may still appeal as collector pieces. |
| Low-mid shoulder | Indicates a high risk of oxidation and will generally attract lower estimates. |
| Low shoulder | Indicates a pronounced loss of fill and a significantly increased risk of oxidation or leakage. |
Burgundy, Rhône and Riesling-style fill levels
These definitions apply to:
- Burgundy
- Rhône
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- similar bottle shapes
Because Burgundy-style and Riesling-style bottles have more sloping shoulders, fill levels are measured differently. Instead of shoulder position, the space between the base of the cork and the wine is measured in centimetres.
| 2cm or less |
Considered an excellent fill for wines of any age. At this standard, the fill level generally does not need to be noted. |
| 3cm or better | A normal fill for wines aged 10 years or older, and an excellent level for wines aged 25 years or older. |
| 4cm |
Considered a normal fill for wines aged 15 years or older, and an excellent fill for wines aged 35 years or older. However, it may be a cause for concern in wines aged 15 years or younger. |
| 5cm |
Not uncommon in wines aged 30 years or older. Some risk is associated with this level. |
| 6cm or more | A poor fill level for any wine, unless the wine is extremely rare. |
Bottle size names
The guide below outlines the most common bottle sizes and their equivalent volumes.
| Size Name | Description | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Half Bottle | Equals half a regular bottle | 375 ml |
| Bottle | A regular bottle | 750 ml |
| Magnum | Equals 2 bottles | 1,500 ml |
| Marie-Jeanne (Bordeaux) | Equals 3 bottles | 2,250 ml |
| Tregnum (Bordeaux) | Equals 3 bottles | 2,250 ml |
| Double Magnum | Equals 4 bottles | 3,000 ml |
| Jeroboam (Sparkling/Burgundy) | Equals 4 bottles | 3,000 ml |
| Jeroboam (Bordeaux) | Equals 6 bottles | 4,500 ml |
| Rehoboam (Sparkling/Burgundy) | Equals 6 bottles | 4,500 ml |
| Imperial (Bordeaux) | Equals 8 bottles | 6,000 ml |
| Methuselah (Sparkling/Burgundy) | Equals 8 bottles | 6,000 ml |
| Salmanazar (Sparkling/Burgundy) | Equals 12 bottles | 9,000 ml |
| Balthazar (Sparkling/Burgundy) | Equals 16 bottles | 12,000 ml |
| Double Imperial (Bordeaux) | Equals 16 bottles | 12,000 ml |
| Nebuchadnezzar (Sparkling/Burgundy) | Equals 20 bottles | 16,000 ml |
Why bottle size matters
Bottle size can influence:
- rarity
- collectability
- drinking evolution
- storage and shipping cost
- value
Larger formats are often sought after by collectors and may command stronger interest depending on producer, provenance and condition.
Label condition terms
The condition of a wine’s label is taken into account when determining value. LANGTONS makes every effort to describe label condition accurately and in detail.
| Minor label damage | Small marks, scuffing or a slight tear. |
| Damaged label |
More noticeable imperfections, such as:
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| Badly damaged label |
Used only for severe issues, such as:
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Why label condition matters
For collectible wines, label condition may affect:
- presentation
- market value
- buyer confidence
- suitability as a gift or display bottle
In some cases, label condition may matter less for rare drinking stock than for pristine collector examples, but it remains an important part of valuation.
Wine closure types
Wines sealed under cork typically have a sleeve or capsule covering the top of the bottle. In addition to being decorative, the capsule helps protect the cork beneath.
| Wax capsule |
The original capsule is wax rather than metal or plastic. Wax capsules are common on larger-format bottles and certain traditional bottlings. |
| Screw cap | An alternative closure consisting of a metal cap that screws onto threads on the neck of the bottle. |
| Vinlock (Vino-Seal) | A glass stopper closure with a plastic seal. |
| Missing capsule |
No capsule is present. Wines without the original capsule, but with a branded cork, may still be offered for sale. |
Wine closure condition terms
As with labels, the condition of the capsule or closure is taken into account when determining value.
| Minor capsule damage | Generally small nicks, tears or scrapes. |
| Damaged capsule |
Describes capsules that are soiled or damaged by:
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| Badly damaged capsule | Used only for severe issues, such as a major portion of the capsule being damaged or missing. |
Why closure condition matters
Closure condition can provide clues about:
- storage environment
- seepage risk
- handling history
- the likelihood of oxidation or leakage
Packaging descriptions
| Original case | Wines packed in the original case supplied by the winery. |
| Original presentation box | Wines packed in the original cardboard presentation box. |
| Original timber case | Wines packed in the original timber case supplied by the winery. |
Why packaging matters
Original packaging may enhance:
- presentation
- provenance
- collectability
- resale value
This is especially relevant for high-profile wines, special releases and larger-format bottles.
Special mentions and provenance notes
| Signed by 'winemaker' |
Indicates that the bottle or label has been signed by the winemaker. Where applicable, this will be noted in the lot description. |
| Penfolds Wine Clinic | Refers to wines that have been assessed through the Penfolds recorking program. See Penfolds Recorking Clinics below. |
| Jimmy Watson Trophy | A prestigious award presented to the producer of the best one-year-old dry red wine at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. |
| Henschke Quality Assurance Program |
An in-house re-corking program for older bottles of Henschke red wines still owned by C. A. Henschke & Co. The program was conducted by Henschke in conjunction with LANGTONS Fine Wine Auctions. |
| Anders Josephson Collection |
Indicates that the wine originates from the Anders Josephson Collection. Where a named collection is referenced, it highlights the wine’s provenance and may provide buyers with additional confidence regarding:
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| Export labelling |
Refers to labels, packaging or bottle markings produced specifically for sale in an export market rather than the wine’s domestic market. Export labelling may differ in:
This does not necessarily indicate any difference in the wine itself. |
| High risk |
Indicates that a wine presents an elevated level of uncertainty due to factors such as:
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| Vintage is disgorgement date |
Used for sparkling wines where the stated year refers to the disgorgement date rather than the original vintage year of harvest. Buyers should read this carefully, as the date shown may indicate when the wine was disgorged, not when the grapes were harvested. |
Penfolds Recorking Clinics
Penfolds wines aged 15 years or older may be assessed, topped up, re-corked and re-capsuled at biannual wine clinics held in state capitals in conjunction with LANGTONS auctions.
Bottles in acceptable condition receive back labels signed by a Penfolds winemaker, certifying that the wine has been topped up and re-corked under proper supervision.
Clients are strongly advised not to purchase Penfolds Grange without a company capsule.
For more information, please see the Penfolds Re-corking clinic website.
Suggested articles
- Auction bidding guide
- What is AutoBid and how does it work?
- Can I get a refund for auction items?
- Selling with LANGTONS
Need assistance?
From buying and selling to delivery, storage and account support, our team is here to assist.
For personalised guidance, please contact your Private Client Manager or submit an enquiry via our Customer Experience and Auction contact form.
If you would prefer to speak with us, please call 1300 946 347 and follow the prompts so we can direct your enquiry to the appropriate team.