Records smashed at Hospices sale

The ‘pièce des présidents’ at the Hospices de Beaune sale has gone for a record €480,000, with proceeds going to support victims of the Paris attacks.

Overall the sale made €10.1 million, 28% up on last year and a new record for the annual wine auction in Beaune.

Following the terrorist outrage in the French capital last Friday, the decision was taken not to cancel the sale, but the three day festivities were toned down and the occasion was, “tainted by shadow” according to Ludivine Griveau, the Hospices’ new winemaker.

The auction began with a minute’s silence to remember the 129 people killed in the attack while the charity lot – the ‘pièce des présidents’ – was rededicated to support more than 300 people wounded.

A barrel of Corton Renardes grand cru was this year’s centerpiece and was bought by a French buyer (who wished to remain anonymous) for the record-breaking total of €480,000 (£339,072) – the previous record was €400,000 set in 2010 and it far outpaces the €220,000 raised for the ‘pièce des présidents’ last year.

Other lots also broke new records – or reclaimed old ones. A barrel of Clos de la Roche made €110,000 this year compared to just €65,000 in 2014, while another barrel of Pommard made €13,000.

The total bid on white wines was €2.5m and the total for reds €7.6m. The average price for whites was €21,429 – a 32% rise on last year – and the average price for reds €16,678 – a 27% rise on 2014.