Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s wine goes on sale

HONG KONG - A wine collection owned by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is to be sold in Hong Kong and was expected to fetch up to $4.1 million, Sotheby’s said.

A total of 748 lots owned by the 62-year-old British composer behind “Phantom of the Opera”, “Evita” and “Cats” is to go under the hammer Jan 22, the auction house’s Hong Kong office announced Thursday.

The collection, including a 1982 Bordeaux and a Domaine de la Romanee Conti red burgundy, was expected to fetch $2.8 million to $4.1 million, Sotheby’s said in a statement.

“Andrew Lloyd Webber’s vinous devotion is to France, and this sale contains mature, classic wines that can be broached immediately to stupendous vintages that can age further,” the statement said.

Hong Kong has this year emerged as the world centre for wine auctions, outselling London and New York combined, according to the major auction houses, including Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

More than 60 percent of the world’s best wines are now bought by Asian collectors through Hong Kong auctions. Experts estimated that Hong Kong residents own 18 percent of the world’s rare and fine wines.