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Hospices de Beaune: Burgundy resists the wine crisis

The 166th Hospices de Beaune sale, on November 15, shows that Burgundy wines are driven by exports, while the French market declines by 4% a year.

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Key facts

  • The 166th Hospices de Beaune sale takes place on Sunday, November 15, in Côte-d'Or. It highlights bottles classified among the grands crus.
  • Burgundy is thus less affected by the crisis than the rest of the wine-growing sector. Over the past twelve months, 166 million bottles of its wines…
  • This auction also serves as an indicator for the wine market, which is in crisis at a time when the French are drinking less of it.

The 166th Hospices de Beaune sale takes place on Sunday, November 15, in Côte-d'Or. It highlights bottles classified among the grands crus.

Burgundy is thus less affected by the crisis than the rest of the wine-growing sector. Over the past twelve months, 166 million bottles of its wines have been sold.

This auction also serves as an indicator for the wine market, which is in crisis at a time when the French are drinking less of it.

The number of bottles sold is falling by 4% each year. Red wines are particularly affected by this decline.

Bottles from Burgundy are an exception. Their sales are driven by international exports and by a worldwide reputation.

This volume shows relative resilience. While the market is contracting, Burgundy wines are holding up better, supported by foreign demand.

The region is not limited to its reds. It is also known for its white wine, with the Chablis appellation, and for its sparkling wine, crémant.

This performance remains contingent, however, on the ability to produce the quantities to be sold, in a changing climate. On Sunday, the auction will provide a concrete reading of a French market in decline and of a Burgundy still driven by foreign demand.

Dig deeper

What are the Hospices de Beaune?

It is a historic hospital in Beaune, in the Côte-d'Or, which owns a wine estate and each year sells part of its harvest at auction for the benefit of its charitable works.

Where is Beaune located in the Burgundy wine region?

Beaune is a town in the Côte-d'Or, at the heart of the Côte de Beaune, one of Burgundy's most renowned areas for fine wines.

What is a grand cru in Burgundy?

It is the top of the hierarchy of Burgundy appellations: very precisely delimited, limited-size parcels whose wines are among the most sought-after in the world.

Why does this sale matter for the wine market?

Held every year, it serves as a barometer of prices and of buyers' appetite, at a time when wine consumption is declining in France.

What are Chablis and crémant de Bourgogne?

Chablis is an appellation of dry white wines from northern Burgundy; crémant is the region's sparkling wine, distinct from champagne.

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