(TDB) - Italy’s regions have leap-frogged Burgundy to become the second most widely traded fine wines on Liv-ex so far this year.

Bordeaux still accounts for the lion’s share of trade every month although it has seen its piece of the fine wine pie shrink from over 95% to 73% over the last five years.

Burgundy was the next biggest category, particularly in value thanks to the big bucks labels such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Henri Jayer are able to command.

A close third was Italy – with a heavy slant towards the Super Tuscans – but as Burgundy’s price continues to reach its upper limit, the more affordable and liquid Italian wines have gained ground and so far this year have accounted for 7% of all activity to Burgundy’s 6.7%.

Sassicaia in particular has given Italy the leg-up it needed with the 2011 and 2012 vintages of the Bolgheri icon being among the most traded Italian wines of the year.

Argiano’s 2010 Brunello Montalcino also caused a “flurry of activity” when it was released earlier this year.

Only the Rhône has so for failed to gain more ground at Bordeaux’s expense, although the reasons for this were examined briefly in the look at wines from the 2007 vintage.