Hospices de Beaune 2025 : the Charity Barrel is a Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens for the first time

Charity Barrel 2025: A Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens chosen for the first time at the Hospices de Beaune

For the first time in the history of the Hospices de Beaune, a Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens has been chosen as Pièce de Charité. This climat, one of the most prestigious and emblematic of the Pommard Premiers Crus, is usually included in the blend of the cuvée Dames de la Charité. In 2025, a room was specially insulated, becoming a rare jewel in the service of the cause supported by the Hospices Civils de Beaune: disability and intelligent technologies. The EHCO association and the Institut du Cerveau de l'Enfant Robert Debré (Robert Debré Children's Brain Institute) will benefit from it.

To mature this unique wine, an equally special case was needed. La Manufacture Tonnelière La Grange, created in 2016 by Sylvain Charlois as a tribute to oak and the craft of cooperage, two symbols of French excellence, donated the barrel it was to be housed in. For this piece de Charité, the best staves were selected from the Bertranges forest, then aged for 36 months in the open air, using a specific "chimney" stacking system to ensure very even maturation of the oak.In this small cooperage, where the gestures of yesteryear and tradition are rediscovered, the four cooper craftsmen who have the honor of making these unique barrels have the luxury of taking the time to meticulously practice their craft. From the shaping of the staves to the aromatic toasting to the finished product, each oak barrel is carefully prepared to receive an exceptional wine.

The combination of a great wine and a great barrel is already showing promising results on tasting. True to the strong personality of this 2025 vintage, the color is a dark ruby. From the very first days of vinification, this wine continues to deliver a bouquet of great aromatic purity, very intense, with notes of fresh fruit and spices. Its structure was built up over the course of 26 days of cuvaison, with gentle pumping over and punching down to ensure gentle extraction. The grapes were superb. The tannins are ripe and silky, the finish is greedy, and lingers on a touch of acidity characteristic of the greatest Burgundy wines, thus guaranteeing the perfect aptitude for ageing in this exceptional piece of craftsmanship.

A major cause for the Hospices in 2025: technological innovation to the service of disability

The proceeds from the 2025 Charity Barrel 2025 will be donated to two associations working to help people with disabilities, with a particular focus on technological innovation.

The objective is clear: to support projects that combine high technology and social impact, in order to advance the inclusion and autonomy of disabled people. Artificial intelligence, for example, is one of the areas envisaged as a lever for innovation within this framework. The focus will be on concrete solutions such as mobility aids, adapted communication tools and intelligent care devices.

Hospices de Beaune charity barrel: a tradition of generosity, in which our house Albert Bichot is rooted.

How to buy at the next Hospices de Beaune 2025 auction? Albert Bichot guides you from A to Z