The world-famous Christian hospice in the town of Beaune in the Côte d'Or wine-growing region of Burgundy is also aptly named "Hôtel Dieu" (Hotel of God). It was founded for charitable purposes in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin (1376-1462), the chancellor of the Burgundian Duke Philip the Good (1396-1467) and his wife Guigone de Salins (1403-1470). Since then, the income from the associated vineyards and farmland has been used to help the poor and care for the elderly and sick. The vineyards and arable land increased steadily through donations and inheritances in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits sub-areas. After half a millennium, the estate now comprises 62 hectares of vineyards spread over around 40 plots, all of which have Grand Cru or Premier Cru status.
Wines - benefactors
These also include absolute Burgundian top sites, such as the famous Corton hill in the Aloxe-Corton area. Unusually for Burgundy, the wine is blended into cuvées, which do not necessarily have to come from a specific climat (site, vineyard). There are 27 red wines and 11 white wines, each of these cuvées bearing the name of an important benefactor. These are personalities such as Nicolas Rolin and Guigione de Salins (the founder couple), as well as Raymond Cyrot, Madeleine Collignon, Maurice Drouhin and Paul Chanson.
Auctions
The wines have been auctioned off since 1859, with the hammer prices often being higher than their actual value. After strong fluctuations in quality, a new cellar was built behind the Hôtel-Dieu and all wines were matured in new barrique barrels. Standardised labels were introduced in 1970. Wine production averages around 700 pièces (barrels of 228 litres) per year, i.e. around 1,600 hectolitres of wine (the old hollow measure, the cue, was previously used). Every year on the third Sunday in November, the famous auction of the world takes place in the market hall opposite the Hôtel-Dieu. This is one of three events known as the "Trois Glorieuse" (Three Glorious Days).
Buyers
The buyers are wine merchants, restaurants, organisations and private wine lovers from all over the world. The proceeds from the auction are donated to the hospital, whose former wards, chapel and art treasures are open to the public. The 2007 auction was the 147th auction since 1849 and achieved a record result, with the 607 barrels realising a total of € 3.8 million. On the Saturday before, the famous wine brotherhood Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin organised a gala dinner at the "Clos du Vougeot". On Monday, the traditional Paulée de Meursault lunch, founded by Comte Jules Lafon in the 1920s, is held.
Hôtel-Dieu: By Anaid de Remerk - photographed by herself, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Nicolas Rolin: By Rogier van der Weyden, Public domain, Link
Hospices de Beaune: copyright @josephdrouhin
