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A look back at the 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction

  • Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 17:00
The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
Beaune's picturesque charm reached historic heights at the 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, a wine experience that resonated far beyond the vineyards. Organised for the third year running by Sotheby's, the sale was the second-best in the history of the illustrious institution.

A feast of generosity and commitment

Sunday 19 November 2023 marked an exceptional day as the Hospices de Beaune welcomed wine enthusiasts, auction-goers and patrons of the humanitarian cause. The results, a testament to the continued support of buyers, reached an impressive €23,221,000 for 753 items. Although this was slightly less than last year's sale, which fetched nearly €29 million for 802 items, it was still a highly successful event.

Prices fall, but the spirit persists

Albéric Bichot, a key figure in the 6th generation of Hospices de Beaune winegrowers, who was himself born at the Hospices de Beaune, is equally enthusiastic: "Even if prices have fallen, this is a very fine sale for the hospital, with a magnificent result. The figures show a slight drop of 16.12% for red wines and 12.78% for white wines. However, the event rekindled the interest of former aficionados, rekindling their passion for these exceptional wines.

Yoyo' vintage and exquisite promise

The 2023 vintage, described as a "yo-yo" by Ludivine Griveau, manager of the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune, reveals a year of climatic contrasts. From a mild winter to a rainy spring, followed by a hot and stormy summer, the vineyards faced a variety of challenges. However, the harvest, starting on 19 September 2023, promises exceptional quality despite its "heterogeneous and surprising" nature.

  1. The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
  2. The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
  3. The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
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Charity at the heart of tradition

The auction's Presidents' Piece, the Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru, went down in history at €350,000. Under the patronage of Thierry Lhermitte and Michel Cymes, this sale will benefit the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale and the IRLB association (Initiative pour la Recherche sur la Longévité en Bonne Santé). Housed in a special cask made from a two-hundred-year-old oak tree that helped restore the spire of Notre-Dame de Paris, this exceptional wine combines tradition, philanthropy and grandeur.

U'wine at the heart of the Hospices

Invited by Albéric Bichot, Élodie, our communications and events manager, and Naoual, our logistics officer, had the chance to immerse themselves in the city of Beaune's festivities. Our U'wine-Makers were won over by the experience, which included visits to the underground cellars, exceptional tastings, unique dinners and the chance to meet and share with others. Impressed by the quality of their host Albert Bichot's reception, they came back full of stars in their eyes.

A Promising Future for Beaune

Now that the last glass has been raised at this 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, everyone is looking to the future. The extraordinary results, the exemplary patronage of Albert Bichot and the promise of a "surprising" vintage all point to a promising future for this winegrowing tradition rooted in the heart of Burgundy.

  1. The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
  2. The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
  3. The 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine auction, organised by Sotheby's, made history, becoming the institution's second best sale.
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