This weekend wine professionals and wine lovers will celebrate an ancient and honored tradition in Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy wine country. Tastings, dinners, festivities and inductions surround the monumental wine auction. This event is impressively called “The Three Glorious Days of Burgundy”.
According to Beaune Tourism:
The highlight of the weekend, it’s organised by Christie’s and takes place on the Sunday afternoon in the Halles de Beaune. Wines are offered for sale from an estate made up of donations and bequests for over 500 years, totalling more than 60 hectares, the majority of which is classified as Grands Crus and Premiers Crus. This charity wine sale acts as an international barometer for the market in prestigious wines and brings together Beaune’s major trading houses and buyers from across the world. However, due to its charitable nature, wine prices generally far exceed their usual course.
Since 2007, Christie’s Live allows buyers to attend the auction live via the Internet and bid from their personal computers worldwide. The profits from the sale are used for heritage conservation and hospitals. Following the sale, a great candlelit dinner is held in the medieval stronghold of the Hôtel Dieu.
While I’m not in Beaune this weekend, I do have some lovely photos to share of the Hôtel Dieu and memories of previous wine auctions.
For tips on visiting Beaune, including wine tasting, dining and lodging see my article: A Visit to Beaune in the Heart of Burgundy.
This blog is included in the #AllAboutFrance linkup.
L'OCCASION 
I’ve only been to Beaune once and it was so long ago I didn’t really understand the wine. I’ve now read some great memoirs set there and would love to go back.
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Do you have book recommendations? I bet the memoirs were interesting.
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That sounds pretty intriguing although I doubt I’d be able to meet the starting prices of those wines! I’ve never been that area of France and I must go.
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I know, so astoundingly valuable! But wandering the gorgeous streets is absolutely free & wonderful!
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I’ve been to Baune once, during the infamous heatwave of 2004, where we melted our way around the hospice with a very hot and grumpy 4 year old. The last thing on our minds was wine! I think I need to go back in milder weather and without the grumpy kid (who is now a grumpy teenager!) Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance
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Overheated with little ones is never good. I’ve definitely been there (reminding me of Walt Disney World in June!)… However, my most recent trip to Beaune came with the most gorgeous weather possible and I certainly think that made a difference. It was just outstanding! Thanks for organizing #AllAboutFrance — such fun!
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