Beaune auction points to pricey Burgundy 2009

Bidders at last Sunday’s Hospices de Beaune charity auction witnessed price rises of 20% over the previous year.

It’s an indication that there’s a more positive mood in the fine wine market, a reflection of the quality of the vintage as well as a sign of an increasingly costly Burgundy vintage to come.

Private buyers and Burgundy wine merchants bid 20% more per barrel on average than in 2008, ensuring the sale raised a total of US$8.1 million.

This made this year’s auction the second highest total since the charity sale began in 1859 and the best results since Christie’s became involved in 2005.

Although prices tend to be inflated at the auction because of the cause – proceeds of the sale go to the hospital – it is widely felt to be an indicator of market health and future pricing, as well as vintage quality.

Record prices were set for:

• Bâtard Montrachet Cuvée Dames de Flandres – €57,750 per barrel
• Clos de la Roche Cuvée Cyrot-Chaudron – €36,000 per barrel
• Corton-Charlemagne Cuvée François de Salins – €27,152 per barrel

Patrick Schmitt, 19.11.2009