After six months of near-drought, the harvest has been cut by around half on the 60 hectares of the Hospices de Beaune, owners of a highly prestigious wine estate. Across Burgundy as a whole, it is 26% less than the average of the past five years.Only 432 barrels and two feuillettes (half-barrels) are being offered this year in Beaune. That is close to the 358.5 barrels in 2021, the lowest level in the modern history of the auctions launched in 1859, the second oldest charitable wine sale in the world.The recent halt to surging prices should therefore be confirmed among the roughly 500 buyers who began raising their paddles shortly before 3 p.m. under the Beaune market hall, the "capital" of Burgundy wines.The record of 29 million euros in total takings set in 2022, with 817 barrels, therefore looks unlikely to be beaten."Attention, climate sceptics: climate disruption is here", says Ludivine Griveau, vineyard manager at the Hospices. "It has already been going on for some time but now we can see it in all its intensity".Live from New YorkMeagre harvest or not, there is nevertheless "always demand for Burgundy wines", explains Jérôme Flous, technical director of Maison Faiveley.The local saying is likely to be borne out: "In Burgundy, people look for wine to sell.
Beaune wine auction in Burgundy hit by climate change
A showcase of luxury and charity, this year's Hospices de Beaune auction is constrained by the poor harvest caused by the summer heatwaves.
In brief
After six months of near-drought, the harvest has been cut by around half on the 60 hectares of the Hospices de Beaune, owners of a highly prestigious wine estate. Across Burgundy as a whole, it is 26% less than the average of the past five years.Only 432 barrels and two feuillettes (half-barrels) are being offered this year in Beaune.
This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to Euronews. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.
Continue reading at Euronews ↗