"Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy’s famous vineyards, Pommard, Corton-Charlemagne, Romanée-Conti, Meursault, Santenay and Savigny-les-Beaune bring a twinkle to the eyes of wine lovers; Beaune is famous for the Hospice de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu)," the

Tourist Office Beaune says.

"A hospital foundation from the Middle Ages, the Hospices de Beaune is one of France’s most prestigious historic monuments. Its flamboyant Gothic architecture, its polychrome roofs and a renowned vineyard make this museum one of Burgundy’s gems. The Hospices de Beaune is also famous for its 60 hectares wine estate, producing prestigious wines, sold at auction on the third Sunday in November.

"In 1457, Guillemette Levernier made the first gift of vineyards to the Hospices de Beaune, and this tradition was to continue for five centuries. Today, the wine estate is around 60 hectares, of which 50 are devoted to Pinot Noir and the rest to Chardonnay. Entrusted to 22 winemakers handpicked by its manager, this exceptional vineyard accounts for 85% of premiers crus and grands crus sold at auction on the third Sunday in November. The sale, today organised by Sotheby's auction house, is the most famous wine charity auction in the world. The proceeds of the sale are used to improve the hospital’s equipment and in the conservation of the Hôtel Dieu."

"Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy in the Côte d'Or department in eastern France. It is located between Lyon and Dijon. Beaune is one of the key wine centers in France, and the center of Burgundy wine production and business. The annual wine auction of the Hospices de Beaune is the primary wine auction in France.

"The town is surrounded by some of the world's most famous wine villages, while the facilities and cellars of many producers, large and small, are situated in the historic center of Beaune itself, as they have been since Roman times. With a rich historical and architectural heritage, Beaune is considered the "Capital of Burgundy wines". It is an ancient and historic town on a plain by the hills of the Côte d'Or, with features remaining from the pre-Roman and Roman eras, through the medieval and renaissance periods.

"The 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, in the town center, is one of the best preserved renaissance buildings in Europe. Other landmarks in Beaune include the old market (les Halles), the Beffroi (clock tower), and the collegiate church of Notre Dame. Beaune is the main center for the "Burgundian tile" polychrome renaissance roofing style of the region. Because of its historical importance in wine production and the unique system of terroir in the region, the town of Beune was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015 as part of the Climats, terroirs of Burgundy site.

"Beaune is one of the wine communes of the Côte de Beaune subregion of the Burgundy wine region, which bears the name of this town. Although Beaune is lacking a Grand Cru vineyard in the commune, it is the hub of the region's wine business, as most of Burgundy's major négociants are here. Beaune is renowned for its annual charity wine auction on behalf of the Hospices de Beaune." (Wikipedia)

"BEAUNE, the chief town of an arrondissement in France, in the department of Côte-d'Or, situated on the River Bourzeoise, twenty-three miles S.S.W. of Dijon, on the railway from Paris to Lyons," the Encyclopædia Britannica says.

"The town is of poor appearance, but has several buildings of interest, such as the churches of Notre Dame and Saint Pierre, both of the 12th century, the hospital, founded by Nicholas Rollin in 1443, and the belfry of the old town-house. Of more modern erection are the public baths, the theatre, the communal college, and the library.

"In the 18th century there were no fewer than seven monastic buildings in the town besides a Bernardine abbey, a Carthusian convent, and a society of priests engaged in educational pursuits. Beaune enjoys considerable commercial prosperity as the principal seat of the Burgundian wine-trade; it also manufactures cloth, cutlery, and leather, and has dye-works, flour-mills, and distilleries. Population in 1871, 10,415."

"The Hospices de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune is a former charitable almshouse in Beaune, France. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor. The original hospital building, the Hôtel-Dieu, one of the finest examples of fifteenth-century Burgundian architecture, is now a museum. Services for patients are now provided in modern hospital buildings. An important charity wine auction is held in November each year (formerly in the great hall of the Hôtel-Dieu).

"The charity auction has been arranged annually since 1859, taking place on the third Sunday in November amid a three-day festival devoted to the food and wines of Burgundy called Les Trois Glorieuses. The charity is preceded by a black-tie dinner at the Clos de Vougeot on day one and followed by the lunch La Paulée de Meursault on day three. The Domaine des Hospices de Beaune is a non-profit organisation which owns around 61 hectares (150 acres) of donated vineyard land, much of this classified Grand and Premier cru. With bidding by professional and private buyers, the barrels, from 31 cuvées of red wine and 13 of white wine, attain prices usually well in excess of the current commercial values, although the results give some indication of the trend in expected bulk wine prices for the vintage from the rest of the region.

"The auction was organised by Christie's from 2005 to 2020 and Sotheby's since 2021. Setting a record total figure at the 149th auction in 2009 when 799 barrels were up for sale, and 40% bids by telephone, internet, or fax connecting some 500 participants from around the world, the auction has in recent years evolved from a wholesale market to a retail market." (Wikipedia)

"The 50 Hospices de Beaune wines put up for auction are sold ‘en primeur’ (as futures). It is always the current year’s vintage that is put up for auction. During the auction on the third Sunday in November, the wine has only just been vinified by Ludivine Griveau in the Domaine des Hospices winery. It is therefore a very young wine, too young of course to have delivered all its complexity and potential," the Hospices-Beaune.com says.

"Once acquired at auction, its ageing must therefore be entrusted to a professional with real savoir-faire such as Albert Bichot, a great Burgundy wine company and the top buyer at the auction for the last 20 years. The ageing stage lasts between 12 to 18 months before bottling and shipping. The ageing of the Hospices wines, like all Burgundy wine, is a vital step, a combination of savoir-faire, technical work and experience.

"Learn more about the Albert Bichot art of wine ageing on this page, i.e. the precision, high standards and attention to detail we apply to the ageing of the Hospices wines that our customers entrust into our care.

The Hospices de Beaune wines are not the only fine wines that are sold ‘en primeur’. It is the same for the most prestigious Bordeaux ‘crus classés’, but these are sold in the March following the harvest when the wines are around six months old. (NB: The wines from the Hospices de Nuits are sold in the March following the harvest)."

"Every year, the Hospices de Beaune in Burgundy sell their wine production at a grand auction organised by Christie’s, an unmissable event for wine lovers with three days of festivities," the Explore France says.

"On the third weekend of November, Burgundy wines are at the heart of a great festival in Beaune. For three days, the richness of the Burgundy vineyards is celebrated during the "Trois Glorieuses", of which the Hospices de Beaune wine auction is the high point. Amateurs and connoisseurs meet for cellar visits and other tastings, while the Palais des Congrès de Beaune hosts the Fête des Grands Vins, an event bringing together the hundred or so appellations that make up Burgundy. A great moment for wine and tourism in the region, attended by visitors from all over the world.

"The auction, the most famous and oldest charity wine auction in the world (1859), can include more than 500 items from the hospices' vineyards, presented in the Grande Halle de Beaune. As every year, the President's piece is sold for the benefit of charities. For the 2019 edition, for example, it was a 228-litre piece from the Corton Grand Cru - Les Bressandes appellation."

"Ahead of the 162st annual Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction, hear about the altruistic history behind this auspicious charity sale, and how the funds raised are looking to the future. In this interview with Francois Poher (Director, Hospices Civils de Beaune) and Ludivine Griveau (Manager, Hospices de Beaune Domaine), learn about the founding of the Hospices de Beaune in the 15th century, as a hospital for the local community," the Sotheby's says.

"Over the course of time, vineyards were donated by grateful patients and the wine produced has been sold to fund new, state of the art hospitals and technologies. Sotheby’s is proud to host the 162^st Edition of the auction, which will be held at the Halles de Beaune on 20 November, the third Sunday in November, as per tradition."

"The 2022 Hospices de Beaune wine auction, to be held on Sunday, November 20 in Beaune, will be one of the biggest in its 162-year history. The sale will offer 802 barrels of wine, both white and red, from all 51 cuvées of the Hospices de Beaune’s vineyard holdings across Burgundy," the Yahoo! Life says.



"The proceeds from the auction, which benefit children’s charities, local hospitals, the upkeep of the Hotel Dieu Museum and the preservation of the Hospices’ 148 acres of vineyards, are also expected to be among the largest in history because of the excellent and abundant harvest this year. Said to be the oldest charity auction in the world, Hospices de Beaune is also among the most important wine events of the year.

"The sale of this special barrel benefits Vision du Monde, which aids vulnerable children around the world, and the Princesse Margot Association, which supports children with cancer and their families. The 2021 auction took in €12.6 million ($13 million), including €800,000 ($827,224) for the Pièce de Présidents, the highest ever paid for the special barrel."

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