Seen in photo from left: Mr. Albéric Bichot, Mr. Zuwen Zou and Ms.
Ludivine Griveau, Estate Manager of the Hospices de Beaune
Credit: Photo Albert Bichot
Albert Bichot acquires the “Pièce des Présidents” at the 160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction
Credit: Photo Bien Public
It is in an unprecedented context that the 160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction took place on Sunday December 13.
The sale which was initially scheduled on Sunday, November 15 was postponed and finally took place in small committee with the main professional buyers, but also on-line for the French and International clients who were unable to attend. This charity sale, whose profits are donated to the Hospital of Beaune had this year a particular and clear resonance.
The sale reached a total of €12,761,600 for 630 barrels (so €20,200 on average per barrel), which represents the 2nd most successful sale in the history of the Hospices after 2018.
The exceptional quality of the vintage and the willingness of buyers to take part in a great charity have prevailed over the current sanitary context with prices declining slightly compared to last year (-1.14% for the reds and – 4.32% for the whites).
Maison Albert Bichot buys 97 barrels and the “Pièce des Présidents”
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.
Once again this year, Albert Bichot is proud to support the Hospices de Beaune by purchasing 98 barrels (including the “Pièce des Présidents”) for an amount of €2,974,000 or 22% of the total amount of the sale.
By acquiring the “Pièce des Présidents” for €660,000* on behalf of a Chinese friend, Albéric Bichot confirms his support for the “Hospitaliers de France” (French Hospital workers) victims of Covid-19. This barrel, a Clos de la Roche Grand Cru vinified in an oak cask from the Chambord Forest National Park was sold to their benefit. It embodies what the Hospices is all about: excellence for a noble cause.
* a previous historical record of €480,000 was reached in 2015, the year of the terrorists attacks in Paris
Albéric Bichot declares: «For several months now, we have been trying to send a message from the Burgundian wine industry because we are pretty spoiled. When you receive a lot, you have to give a little. The goal is not to break records, we are here to share, and there are people who are very generous. The crisis is global, it can affect everyone, whatever its country or age. Today, we are thinking in particular of Marie-Cécile, a care worker of Beaune hospital who died of Covid-19 last spring while she was taking care of patients suffering from the same disease. She has become the icon of the hospital staff of Beaune and of all hospitals of France. We did it for her and for what she represents.”
2020, the Unforgettable vintage
“The very early 2020 vintage reveals wines of a rare homogenity whose flesh and natural concentration reveal an exceptional year. Despite the heat of summer, the red and white wines have retained unexpected freshness. The pinot noir suffered more from the drought than the chardonnay, which led to very low yields in all appellations. A deep vintage and certainly of great aging potential. ” states Alain Serveau, Technical Director of Maison Albert Bichot.