Last week we spoke about the history of the Hospices de Beaune. This week I would like to go deeper into the customs surrounding the auction itself, and the recent turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hospices de Beaune wine auction is both the world’s oldest charity wine auction, and a cultural touchstone for the Burgundy wine trade. This year, 2022, will be the 162nd edition of the auction.
The auction itself takes up only a single evening, but the events surrounding it are orchestrated to bring together the growers, negociants, eleveurs, critics, and aficionados who make and make up Burgundy. The auction is bookended by two social events, and the three are collectively known as Les Trois Glorieuses. Even if you are not so lucky as to be part of the closed events of Les Trois Glorieuses, the walled city of Beaune is transformed into a grand street festival with fun for all comers.
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When night fell and the auction began, we had a heart wrenching moment as the first lot went for double the price of the previous auction! This is of course very fortunate for the charities which benefit from the auction, but nerve wracking as a bidder. In the final tally, the 2021 Hospices de Beaune auction would raise the most of any auction. And, even better for us and for you, we were able to secure three incredible crus to bring home for you.
Our first win was the Corton Grand Cru cuvée Charlotte Dumay. A Burgundy Grand Cru is a benchmark in the world of Pinot Noir.
Secondly, we were able to bring home Beaune Premier Cru Grèves cuvée Pierre Flocquet, which showed magnificently in the tasting and has continued to develop well.
And last but not least, the Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru cuvée Fouquerand will round out our Burgundy selection for 2021.
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The contrasting terroirs of these three crus illustrate the incredible range of expression which Pinot Noir offers at the height of its development, and we can’t wait to share both these classic crus and our splendid California crus with you soon.
From our hearts and hands to your glasses.
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Roberto
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