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This year sees the 147th Auction of the wine of the Hospices de Beaune - which, whilst it may look like an opportunity for a host of fat cats and celebrities to indulge in lots of great Burgundy and sumptuous food, does serve a more serious purpose. Firstly, it is a charity event, raising money for good causes, for the local charity hospital and often for childrens charities - and in 2006 they raised over €200,000!
Secondly, it serves as a guide to Burgundy prices for the year, not in absolute terms but more as an inidcator of prices rising or falling.

The 2007 auction will take place at 2.30 pm, on Sunday 18th November, in Beaune’s covered market, as is traditional. The directors of the Hospices de Beaune have asked Christie’s to organise the next four sales, up until 2010. Christie’s will continue its pursuit of the goals set with the Hospices, to renew and expand the international renown of the wine auction, attracting members of the public, and professionals of the wine trade, to bid from around the world. The 2007 auction will also benefit from the new, on-line auction service, CHRISTIE’S LIVE™

The Auction is the centre piece of a three day celebration of Burgundy wines, otherwise known as “Les Trois Glorieuses” (the Three Glories) which starts on Saturday with a serious banquet at Clos Du Vougeot hosted by Les Chevaliers du Tastevin (brotherhood of the tasting bowl) and culminates Monday lunchtime with the “Paulée de Meursault” a combined lunch and tasting to celebrate the end of the harvest in this famous appellation which produces the best white Burgundy.

more info on Hospices de Beaune
more info on Clos du Vougeot
more info on Meursault