Here we are at Hospices de Beaune in the beautiful city of Burgundy, one of the oldest and most prestigious wine auctions in the world. It was created in the Middle Ages, the city’s solution to helping the poor and ill. Today the auction is managed by Christie's and attracts a glitzy international crowd.
Yet before the auction is the Fete des Grand Vins Bourgogne (Burgundy Wine Festival), which takes place free outdoors (in the form of parades and special staged events) and indoor paid tastings. Today’s schedule finds me tasting hundreds of 1st Cru and other wines at Fete des Grand Vins Bourgogne (Burgundy Wine Festival), held in the Palais des Congres de Beaune.
For Burgundy lovers, it is like seeing precious diamonds everywhere you look — all the famous names right there, beckoning you to try them. I spend some serious time looking at the list of wines and discovering my plan of attack. In addition to the press and trade, local citizens can also enter for about 24 euros each. They seem extremely excited to be here, both to taste the wine and be a part of this very important event surrounding the auction.
As I make notes on the sidelines I see Jeanne-Marie De Champs of Domaines et Saveurs Collection walk by. If you love Burgundy wine, you may recognize the name. She is a wine merchant representing Meo-Camuzet, Domaine LaMarche, Chateau de la Maltroye, Chateau Genot Boulanger, Domaine Paul Pernot et Fils, etc. The previous night, she held a private reception and dinner for journalists and the trade in her apartment.
Now if you ever saw the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, which featured a swank collection of trendy, jetset, international types (a Japanese women in a Kimono, a Brazilian playboy, etc) at the apartment of character Holly GoLightly (played by Audrey Hepburn) you may have an idea of the kinds of characters present. Many journalists from Asia, myself and a few other American journalists, and many of her friends from the European and American trade. Jeanne-Marie greeted her guests with champagne and went on to formally seat everyone and serve a multi-course meal along with incredible wines from her collection, including many wines she bought at the Hospice auction. In her warm dining room by candlelight it was pretty magical being with this notable Burgundy personality and hearing stories of Hospice auctions gone by.
Article comments
1 - Mark Norman
I have never been to Burgundy yet from your article I could sense the energy that must abound this event(s)...I have started to write with a theme...that America has no real wine culture..there is nothing like this here...I have been to a number of tasting events in Napa & Sonoma, the locals barely take notice..it is far less a part of their souls...and maybe because this is hundreds of years old in the making but somehow I don't see that happening (like you has so beautifully described) anywhere in the States..thank you!
2 - marisa d'vari
Thank you Mark!