The Hospices de Beaune Glossary:
Key Terms for Bidding at the Auction

Hospices de Beaune Auction Glossary and How to Buy

• Domaine des Hospices de Beaune (Estate)

  The Domaine des Hospices de Beaune consists of its vineyard, as well as the buildings (winery) and equipment necessary for cultivating the vines and transforming the grape juice into wine (winemaking). The Hospices de Beaune vineyard has been expanded over the centuries through donations from its benefactors. It spans 60 hectares, comprising, in particular, prestigious Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations, which account for 85% of the estate’s total area. Since the 2022 harvest

• Estate Manager

  The estate manager is responsible for both viticulture (planting, vine growth cycles) and winemaking. Since the 2015 vintage, Ludivine Griveau has held this position. She is supported in her work by a team in the cellar and by more than 20 winemakers employed by the estate, each of whom is responsible for a portion of the estate (a few hectares).

• En primeur wine (futures)

  The wine sold by the Hospices de Beaune is known as a “primeur”: it is wine from that year’s harvest, already in barrels but not yet aged. These primeur wines must be aged* for 12 to 18 months to reach their full potential. This is a delicate process, and choosing Albert Bichot is a guarantee of quality.

• White wines, red wines, Marc, and Fine de Bourgogne from the Hospices de Beaune

  More than 50 Cuvées* (wines) are put up for auction each year. In 2024, 33 red wines and 18 white wines will be sold in full 228-liter barrels (288 bottles after aging), along with two spirits (Marc and Fine de Bourgogne) sold by the hectoliter (100 liters).

• One piece (barrel)

  A “pièce” is a term used in Burgundy to refer to a 228-liter barrel. This is equivalent to 288 bottles after the aging period in our Albert Bichot cellars.

• A Lot Sold at Auction

  At an auction, a lot is an item or a group of items offered for sale together. Each lot has a number that determines the order in which it appears. At the Hospices de Beaune auction, each barrel—known as a “pièce” in Burgundy—constitutes a lot in the sale. In addition, the “multiplication option” allows the buyer to purchase one or more lots within a series* at the hammer price of the first lot for which they bid.

• A series up for auction at the Hospices

  Each Cuvée offered for sale is divided into a series of several barrels, known as “pièces” in Burgundy. Within a series, the buyer may, at any time, choose to exercise the right to multiply* by deciding to purchase a single “pièce,” several “pièces,” or all of the remaining “pièces” in the same series, at the hammer price (purchase price excluding fees) of the first “pièce” for which they bid.

• The Art of Multiplication at the Hospices Auction

  All lots within the same Cuvée are identical (same wine, same quantity), and each lot constitutes a single batch. Each Cuvée offered for sale is subdivided into series of several lots, within which the option to make multiple purchases may apply.

  This means that the buyer of the first lot in a series will have the option to purchase additional lots at the same hammer price (purchase price excluding fees), up to the total number of lots in the series. If the buyer of the first lot does not wish to exercise the right to purchase additional lots—whether for other lots or even for the entire series—and prefers to purchase only a single lot, the option to purchase additional lots will be passed on to the buyer of the next lot*, who in turn may choose to purchase one or more lots, and so on throughout the series.

• Village / Premier Cru / Grand Cru

  Burgundy wines are classified into four main tiers. The Domaine des Hospices de Beaune owns vineyards exclusively in villages, premiers crus, and grands crus.

  1) Grands Crus: These are the highest-quality wines, accounting for about 1% of Burgundy’s production. They come from specific vineyards whose names appear on the label. Example: Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
  2) Premiers Crus: These account for about 10% of production. These wines come from specific vineyards within the villages, and their names are listed on the label after the village name. Example: Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Avaux
  3) Villages: These wines come from vineyards located around Burgundy’s renowned villages. The village name appears on the label. Example: Pommard.
  4) Regional Appellations: These constitute the entry-level category, accounting for about 50% of production. These wines can come from anywhere in the Burgundy region and bear general appellations such as “Bourgogne Rouge” or “Bourgogne Blanc.” The Hospices do not sell wines at this level.

• Which Burgundy appellations are sold at the Hospices de Beaune wine auction?

  The appellations auctioned by the Hospices de Beaune are linked to the estate’s history and to the donations of vineyards to the hospital over the centuries. They are divided into several regions: the appellations of the Côte de Nuits, the appellations of the Côte de Beaune, the Mâconnais, and the Chablis region.
  
  The Hospices de Beaune appellations in the Côte de Nuits: Echezeaux Grand Cru, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru.
  
  The Hospices de Beaune appellations in the Côte de Beaune: Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Savigny-les-Beaune, Corton Grand Cru, Puligny-Montrachet, Saint-Romain, Monthelie, Auxey-Duresses, Pernand-Vergelesses, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Meursault.
  
  Other appellations: Chablis and Pouilly-Fuissé

  Discover all the appellations of the Hospices de Beaune