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160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction: An exceptional Charity Barrel!

09/09/2020

160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction: French hospital workers, victims of Covid-19, are to benefit from the proceeds of the auction of the famous Presidents' barrel.

The Hospices Civils de Beaune and the Château de Chambord join forces to release an ex-ceptional Pièce de Charité (charity barrel), also known as the Pièce des Présidents (Presi-dents' barrel) which will be auctioned by Christie’s to raise money for the hospital workers of France who have fallen victim to Covid-19, on the occasion of the 160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction due to be held on Sunday 15th November 2020.

A unique charity barrel for the 160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction

Healthcare workers to benefit : Front-line hospital workers from France and around the world have been mobilized to confront the Coronavirus epidemic. Their commitment and courage have made it possible to respond to the health needs of a nation and to confront the magnitude of this unprece-dented crisis. Some even making the ultimate sacrifice. It is fitting that this year, the profits from the sale of the Presidents' barrel should benefit the hospital key-workers of France. They will be represented by the French Hospital Federation (F.H.F) and the Committee for Social Work Management in Public Hospitals (C.G.O.S.) who will ensure the distribution of the donation to hospital staff and their families affected by this epidemic.

An outstanding wine : It is in the rare Bourgogne Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte de Nuits, an area renowned for the greatest Pinot Noir vintages, that Ludivine Griveau, manager of the Hospices de Beaune vineyards, has scrupulously selected the best vines within the Climat of “Les Froichots”, in the Grand Cru parcel of the Clos de la Roche. Planted between 1968 and 1972 this old vine has remarkable properties which reveal themselves in the fruit and the tasting of the grapes confirming excellent ageing potential, perfect balance and beautiful structure.

A unique barrel : The wood used to make the barrel of the Pièce des Présidents is from grand cru oak grown in the Domaine de Chambord forest. Located in the Loire Valley, in the heart of France, the Chambord forest borders the national forests of Boulogne, Russy and Blois which are themselves ideal for oak barrel production. It is also less than 150 kilometres away from the prestigious forests of Loches, Bercé and Tronçais. Through the ages the domaine has been preserved and the entirety of its forest is classified a historical monument. Chambord complies with the sustainable manage-ment certifications Natura 2000 and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes). Today, the national domaine of Chambord is closely tied with the world of wine as it offers a limited edition of high quality oak barrels. This project is an impressive legacy whilst also being cost-effective and sustainable: Chambord hopes its forest will regain a rightful place in French his-tory, by promoting the lumber industry, developing the fame of its brand and lastly becoming part of an integrated initiative to promote wine tourism. This quest for excellence unites perfectly with the aspiration of the Hospices Civils de Beaune to deliver an exceptional Presidents' barrel.

An unprecedented barrel-ageing : The buyer of the 2020 Presidents' barrel will have the unique opportunity to have their wine aged in the Hospices de Beaune cellars, thus benefitting from all the care and expertise of domaine manager Ludivine Griveau, so that the wine develops its full potential and unique characteristics.

This special partnership between the Château de Chambord and the Hospices Civils de Beaune for the Presidents’ barrel, to be sold on the occasion of the 160th Hospices de Beaune wine auction, will be officially presented during a press conference at the Château de Chambord on Thursday October 1st 2020.

Press contact : Estelle Bidault - estelle.bidault@ch-beaune.fr

Phone: 33 (0)6 73 91 77 79