The 161st Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction, led for the 1st time by Sotheby’s took place on Sunday November 21st.
Eventually the sale reached an amount of €11,678,000 for a total of 351.5 barrels (i.e. an average price of €33,223 per barrel): this was an extraordinary and very unexpected result very close to last even though there were 280 barrels less for sale.
Despite the sanitary situation which is till tense, the main French and international buyers were present to support the Hospices de Beaune and fought strongly for every single barrel, to an unprecedented increase in prices of 100% for whites and 60% for reds compared to last year.
The “Pièce des Présidents”, a barrel of Corton Renardes Grand Cru reached a historical record of €800,000, to be shared between two associations defending women in their own way. The French actress and singer Jeanne Balibar came to support the “Fédération Nationale Solidarité Femmes” which acts for the protection of women victims of violence. The French actor Pio Marmaï was the sponsor of “Institut Curie” which develops a research project namely on breast cancer.
Albert Bichot and the Hospices de Beaune
A family-owned and independent Maison since 1831, Albert Bichot is a major patron in the preservation of Burgundian culture and heritage.
“Buying from the Hospices de Beaune is a tradition as much as it is a commitment”, says Albéric Bichot, 6th generation of the family and born at the Hospices de Beaune himself.
Albert Bichot has been the first buyer of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction for more than 20 years now. It has been the case again this year with the acquisition of 45,5 barrels for an amount of €1,989,000 or 17% of the total amount of the sale.
“No one had bet on such a soaring auction. This sale remains excellent news for the Beaune hospital.” says Albéric Bichot.
A unique vintage
2021 will remain in winegrowers’ memory for the 3 nights of severe frost early April which dramatically impacted most of chardonnay and to a lower extent pinot noir.
From this chaotic vegetative start, disease pressure and unsettled weather continued to jeopardize the harvest potential. However the relentless work from the teams in the vineyards and the very good weather before and during harvest enabled to craft racy and elegant wines, expected to be full of flavor in their prime.
White wines are already shiny and pure, with beautiful aromatic intensity.
Reds will reveal themselves through our careful and custom barrel aging even though they already express typical pinot noir freshness and elegance.
We are back to a more Burgundian classic style after a few more solar vintages.
Alain Serveau, Head Winemaker
Albert Bichot, based in Beaune since 1831, is a family owned and independent winery. The House owns 6 exceptional estates with a total of 105 hectares of vineyards divided among Burgundy’s most prestigious appellations. In addition to this expertise as estate grower, Albert Bichot is a renowned négociant, producer and winemaker who carefully selects and buys grapes to ensure the best possible quality of its wines. Due to a high respect of terroir and a perfect control of vinification, the House has earned a reputation for outstanding wines and one of the greatest names in Burgundy.
