Difficult weather conditions (spring frosts, torrential rain, forest fires…) may have resulted in lower harvests (nearly 30% according to the French Ministry of Agriculture), but they didn’t extinguish the flame that lit the hearts of the French when it came to oenology. The 2021 edition of the Hospices de Beaune auction set a new record!

The President’s Piece, a Corton-Renardes Grand Cru, sold for 800,000 euros, a new record in terms of value, exceeding the previous record by more than 150,000 euros (the President’s Piece from 2020, sold for 660,000 euros). The patron of this 161st edition even joked that “800,000 euros is a real figure! At some point, it’s going to have to stop! Fortunately, the funds raised each year are donated to the national federation Solidarité Femmes and the Institut Curie.

Fewer pieces on sale

François Poher, Director of Hospices civils de Beaune, declared at the opening of the auction that this year’s auction would reflect the 2021 vintage, marked by difficult weather conditions and winemakers who overcame the obstacles.

In fact, this year, only 349 items went on sale (56 white wines and 293 red wines), compared with 630 items in 2020. But that didn’t stop the prices of the 2021 primeurs from skyrocketing as soon as the first wines went on sale (traditionally Beaune Premier Cru).

Photo : Hospices de Beaune