Breaking Records: Hospices De Nuits Burgundy Wine Auction Achieves New Heights Chris Lehoux, March 12, 2024 Château du Clos de Vougeot, Burgundy region, France The 63rd Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges wine auction occurred on Sunday at Château du Clos de Vougeot in the Burgundy area of France. The result exceeded prior records in two aspects. Initially, the highest price ever – 60,000 Euros, or $65,638, was granted for a single barrel, equivalent to nearly 300 bottles of wine (a barrel in French is known as a barrique in the Bordeaux wine region, containing 225 liters [59 gallons] of volume; in Burgundy, it is called a pièce and holds 228 liters [60 gallons] of liquid volume). The wine is a Premier Cru Les Saint-Georges Sélection de Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Hugue Perdrizet. Secondly, the highest price ever – 66,980 Euros ($73,270) was granted for a single ‘charity’ lot—the return of which is donated directly to one specific foundation. This year, it is the Clément-Drevon Foundation, supporting medical research in the Burgundy Franche-Comté region. This includes a blend of nine Premier Cru wines from the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges collection of vineyards. Sale of ‘charity barrel’ (pièce) provides funds for Clement-Drevon Foundation for research A total of 147 pièces of red wine (Pinot Noir) and three of white wine (Chardonnay) were auctioned. The average price of red was over 15,000 Euros ($16,400) per pièce; the average price of white was over 20,000 Euros ($21,800). Within three hours the auction raised a total of 2,281,500 Euros ($2,495,390). This is less than the intake from the auction last year by 36%; however, this year’s total number of pièces sold was 10 less than last year. Overall this was the second highest amount of funds raised at the Hospices de Nuit auction. This event is one of two prominent wine auctions that take place in Burgundy annually; the other being the Hospices de Beaune (which typically takes place in the month of November). Both raise funds for hospitals they are associated with; both hospitals own vineyards that produce wine; both hospitals are state owned and have been under the same administration since the year 2016. Five months ago, thirty-nine-year-old Guillaume Koch became the new director for this set of hospitals—known as Hospices Civils de Beaune. Originally from the Alsace region, Koch studied business at Reims (where he was also president of the wine club). When we spoke together this weekend, he shared enthusiasm for his new role and explained why he thinks a business background can be advantageous for this position. Guillaume Koch is the new Director for the Hospices Civils de Beaune One of the significant challenges Koch is facing is enticing a sufficient number of competent personnel to operate in these hospitals. Modern facilities not only broaden their medical care capacity, but also make them appealing to nurses and doctors. “I am the director of the Hospices Civils de Beaune. I’m also the director of Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges, as they united in 2016. We need to enhance and invest, and we appreciate the funds from these auctions, as they make it possible for us to continue having excellent hospitals near our inhabitants. “In France and globally, my job is really unique—being a director of a group of hospitals, in addition to two sets of vastly distinct vineyards, and also a museum—Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune. It’s incredible. There is a lot that needs to be improved and modernized, but we already possess a history that spans over 600 years.” Participants from around the world, including French, U.S. and Chinese buyers, partook in the Hospices de Nuits auction held at the picturesque 16th century Château du Clos de Vougeot. The event is characterized by its friendly and cordial atmosphere with a touch of eccentricity. As the lots were being auctioned in an attractive ancient monastery, auctioneer Hugues Cortot would occasionally engage the attendees by asking them to rise and participate in a chorus, supplemented with clapping. Hugues Cortot reprised his role as the auctioneer for the Hospices de Nuits charity event. Before the bidding began, potential buyers were treated to a two-hour lunch at the château’s upstairs, which consisted of a lobster and crayfish soufflé, Aveyron veal cutlets and traditional Burgundy cheeses. Among the wines served were a white Meursault from Beaune, a 2019 Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru—Les Didiers Cuvée Fagon, and a 2024 Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru—Les Saint Georges Cuvée des Sires de Vergy. (At both Hospices auctions, one of the wines served is always from the other auction’s region.) The auction was, as always, full of festivity, and the earnings proved to be a considerable source of support for regional health care. The quality of wines from the 2023 Nuits-Saint-Georges vintage is exceptional, but also mysteriously paradoxical. The level of acidity is unusually low, but the juice tastes crisp, fresh and balanced. A separate article about this 2023 vintage from Nuits-Saint-Georges is here. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine