Auction preview in Paris

A press conference was held in Paris this morning to preview an upcoming wine auction scheduled for the third Sunday of November, specifically November 15. The event will feature 432 bottles and 2 leaflets from the Beaune Civil Hospices vineyard, spanning all its wine-producing areas.

Details of the auction lots

The auction will include 348 bottles of red wine and 84 bottles of white wine, along with 2 leaflets. This represents a significant decrease in volume compared to previous years, with only half the usual harvest for white wines and 60% of the typical amount for reds. Despite this, the quality of the wines is expected to be high.

Conditions during the 2026 vintage

The 2026 vintage experienced unusual weather conditions, but the vines benefited from ample water reserves replenished during the autumn and winter of 2025-2026. This water, which fell in large quantities, delayed some vineyard work but helped the plants reach the harvest without major issues.

Unusual events during the growing season

The 2026 vintage started with an early maturity, with green tips appearing as early as March 15. This was followed by an almost summer-like April, which was sunny and warm, leading to an abundant harvest. However, cold weather returned in May, causing bunching and high heat during flowering, which led to flower drop and abortion, especially in chardonnays.

Harvest and wine characteristics

The harvest period was short, lasting only nine days, due to the low volume and minimal sorting required. Red wines showed strong potential with good tannin extraction and a powerful aroma profile, allowing for short macerations and low pigeages. White wines, while slightly less fresh, were worked with lees to achieve balance and highlight the terroir.

Public tasting and charity piece

A public tasting will be held on Saturday, November 14, starting at 8:30 a.m., at the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune. The charity piece, "des Présidents," is expected to be exceptional and will benefit two associations: ARSLA, which focuses on research for Charcot disease, and DEBRA France, which raises awareness for epidermolysis bullosa, a rare condition that affects children's skin.

Auction goals and hopes

The auction hopes to surpass the 2025 record of 400,000 euros for the charity piece and aim for a total close to the 18.75 million euros collected last year. This amount supports the operations of the Beaune hospital, despite a reduction in the number of bottles compared to last year.