Santenay Premier Cru 2018 Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Fouquerand, 1,5l.

Santenay Premier Cru 2018 Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Fouquerand, 1,5l.

The history of the “Hospices de Beaune”

The history of the Hospices de Beaune tradition goes back to the eponymous hospital for the poor and sick established in Beaune in the 15th century. Over the centuries, this hospice in the middle of the best vineyards in Burgundy received many of the best sites through donations and inheritances from well-off winegrowers and was soon able to cover its costs by selling wine. Even today, the proceeds from wine sales still benefit the hospital and other charitable organisations.

The event

And November of the year is already approaching, with the traditional wine auction taking place on the third weekend of the year. On the evening before the auction, the wines are tasted by wine critics and wine merchants, while wine merchants and connoisseurs from all over the world travel to the auction itself. Tickets and the right to take part in the auction are highly coveted. On the third day, the traditional “Pauleé of Mersault” closes the event. The auctioned wines are left to mature in barrels for 18 to 24 months before being bottled and delivered two years later in autumn.

“158th Hospices de Beaune 2018″

Special features

The 158th Hospices de Beaune will be remembered for a remarkable decision announced by the “Hospices de Beaune” committee for this year’s wine auction. This year, only the best quality wines will be included in the auction and the best selected wines will have their own traditional labels.

The auction house Christie’s (one of the most traditional and well-known auction houses in the world) will be organising the auction from start to finish for the first time this year.

The vintage

Following the decision announced by the Hospices committee, the motto was “quality not quantity”, with fewer yields but excellent quality, the result is reflected in the best Hospicesde Beaune premium wines of the vintage.

The best-known wine critics claim that the Hospices deBeaune premium wines of 2018 will certainly go down in history. The decision announced by the Hospices committee this year has given all Hospices winegrowers a headache, but ultimately shows the true value of traditional winemaking and long experience.