Vin.auction

Vin.auction runs wine sales on a clear two-stage rhythm that is worth understanding before you plan around it: the auction has a fixed date — a Saturday — but online bidding opens a full week earlier. So the sale is effectively eight days long, with the room simply closing it.

What you can buy

• Collectable wine, consigned by private sellers and estates.

How the bidding works

Registration is required. Each auction has its own page with the catalogue and the two dates — online bidding opens on the Friday, the auction itself runs the following Saturday. On the selling side the house offers a free valuation of wines offered for consignment. The site runs in Dutch, French and English.

What to check before you bid

The week-long bidding window means an early bid tells you very little about where a lot will end up; the movement happens near the close. As with any wine auction, storage history and fill level matter more than the vintage on the label — ask if the catalogue does not say. Belgium's position makes collection practical for buyers across the Benelux and northern France.