Beautiful Beaune and it’s famous wine auction!

There are many exciting and prominent festivals in France throughout the year. When it comes to a charity festival, no event is bigger or grander than “de la Venteaux enchères des Vins des Hospices de Beaune” (wine auction for the hospital of Beaune). I have always wanted to visit the beautiful Burgundy city of Beaune and experience this world famous wine auction for many years ….so what better time than now!  

Side note – this auction is strictly “Burgundy” region wines (or in French- Bourgogne)…no Bordeaux allowed :) …the reason I highlight this point is because in France when you are having a serious wine discussion (and most of the time in not-so serious wine discussions) on what region of France has the best wine — you need to be prepared for strong opinions and heated debate (of course)…in other words, you will be asked to pick what camp you support — i.e. The Hatfield or the McCoys…so come armed with good knowledge and tasting experience because this topic becomes as passionate as political and religious conversations.There have been hundreds (thousands) of books, competitive wine tastings, informal and formal world debates on Bourgogne wines verse Bordeaux wines….so I will leave you to personally decide (I believe I have decided but will wait to visit Bordeaux one more time this year…stay tuned:). The next time your in the Bourgogne region of France just ask a Bourgognes what region has the best wine — Bourgogne or Bordeaux ??– you will undoubtedly hear a version of this “Bordeaux makes great business, Bourgogne makes great wine” !

This massive wine auction (in it’s 152nd year) is considered the most prestiges charity auction in the world…based on money raised. This year’s wine auction raised 5.9 million euros (7.8 million dollars)!! Each year a famous French socialite, actor, politician or sports star is chosen to auction off the top barrel or as it was called this year the “pièce des présidents” (the President’s barrel) because the special quest (auctioneer) for the event was France’s former First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s beautiful and gracious Italian model wife).

I cannot recommend enough a visit to Beaune, especially during this incredible weekend festival…this medieval town is charming as can be and for wine enthusiasts it doesn’t get better! You can visit dozen of wineries/caves and sample and learn about some of the best wines in the world! I brought a few bottles of Burgundy’s finest back to share with Stéphane and friends…Stéphane is a Burgundy loyalist!!