As prices surged at this year ’s Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges wine auction what do the sale’s results say about the broader state of the fine wine market The beginning of March saw the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges auction take place during which the 2024 vintage went under the hammer Billed as Burgundy’s best kept secret by iDealwine which organised the event for the first time this auction gives wine enthusiasts a chance to purchase 228-litre barrels with the profits going to the hospital attached to the winemaking estate Just like its larger and more well-known counterpart in Beaune the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges combines healthcare and winemaking with a story steeped in history the hospital gained its financial independence through donations Legend has it that Hugues Perdrizet bequeathed the first vines in 1688 the wines produced from the hospital’s vineyards were sold before they started to be auctioned by the barrel in 1961 with the funds raised helping to maintain the work in the vineyard and being reinvested into the hospital the proceeds of one barrel of wine are donated to another worthy cause working in the healthcare or humanitarian sector This tradition honours the generosity of those who donated the vines in the first place This year ’s auction will go down in history for two reasons: the first for the average price of a barrel rising 41.5% on the previous year; the second for the bottles and magnums of the estate’s wines from 2005-2017 (that were all snapped up by bidders) which were put up for auction to compensate for 2024’s small harvest This final point helps to put this year ’s auction results into context The 2024 vintage was marred by disastrous weather and mildew This resulted in a 75.5% drop in the volume up for auction in 2025 the results of the Hospices de Beaune auction in November last year were not so rosy Often said to reflect the current state of the market prices of red wine barrels fell by 5% – a stark contrast to the results of 2025’s Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges sale where the average price of a red wine barrel increased 40.6% on last year the average price per barrel at the Hospices de Beaune auction was up 8% – but that is nothing compared to the gigantic 40% increase for the Hospice de Nuits’ white wines Chardonnay only makes up 5% of the production there but the increase in the average price for the estate’s white wines still exceeded expectations But this doesn’t fully explain the surge in prices true: there are three factors that we need to bear in mind when analysing this unprecedented increase masterfully crafted beautiful wines that encapsulate everything a wine enthusiast searches for in a Burgundian Pinot Noir 150 barrels were filled during the 2023 vintage This makes the rise in the average barrel price at this year ’s auction even more impressive it is remarkably close to the all-time record set in 2022 (€22,807) But how does this compare to the current market Although auction prices of fine wine have generally fallen over the past two years as its average price remained stable in 2024 The first lies in the unique nature of this auction The proceeds directly fund the work of the hospital so locals actively support these institutions and they often try to compensate for the low yields by pushing bids higher for each pièce The second factor is the excellent quality of the wines The auction battles and prices are a testament to the outstanding work of Jean-Marc Moron – an exceptional winemaker – and his team in a year that was plagued with issues The Pinot Noirs that went under the hammer on 9 March embody the variety’s classic style: purity The prices are a well-earned tribute to the team’s remarkable work The third reason for the increase in prices lies in the current market dynamics for Côte de Nuits wines Demand for Pinot Noir from this prestigious region is strong around the globe the wines of the Hospices de Nuits flew under the radar director of the Hospices de Beaune (which has managed the Hospices de Nuits since 2016) which had long been a local affair and not very well-known outside Burgundy a more international and modern dimension by entrusting it to a global player like iDealwine The wines’ true market value has seen the light of day and the prices for the 2024 vintage were driven by their rarity which is just starting in Nuits-Saint-Georges when it goes under the hammer next year to see if it can match the prices that 2024’s wines obtained iDealwine is France’s top wine auctioneer and leading online wine auction house worldwide • Fine Spirits Auction (FSA) is iDealwine’s dedicated spirits platform launched in partnership with La Maison du Whisky a French specialist in high-end spirits since 1956 and with offices in Bordeaux and Hong Kong iDealwine sources rare bottles from European cellars private collections and direct from producers before meticulously authenticating and shipping to enthusiasts • If you are keen to sell your wines or spirits, check out idealwine.com We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices The average price of a barrel of wine at the 64th Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges auction saw the average prices of a barrel rise 41.5% on last year on the back of the smallest harvest in over sixty years The auction, which was organised by French auction house iDealwine for the first time raised €856,950 in total (excluding the charity pièce) This was a marked decline from the €2,281,500 (£1.94m) raised last year but this was due to the 2024 being the lowest yielding harvest since 1961 down nearly 60% in yield-terms on the previous year With yields down to around 9.5 hectolitres per hectare only 36 barrels were produced of the 2024 vintage compared to 150 of the 2023 vintage sold last year – a drop of 75.7 % – or 160 in 2022 However, the sale was heralded a success, as the average price of the 288-litre pièce rose significantly to €22,422. This was close to the all-time record set in 2022 of €22,807, iDealwine said saw an average price of €28,815 with the most expensive wine at the auction the Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Cuvée des Sires de Vergy up 34.5% on last year’s hammer price of €41,000 According to Laurent Delaunay of Burgundian producer and negociant house Edouard Delaunay there were very little barrels available.” which represents all four Hospices sites of Beaune said the team were delighted with the auction result “We had hoped for a small rise in the pièce prices and we had a wonderful surprise with the records,” he said “The sale of the bottles and magnums from past vintages allowed a few great wine enthusiasts to indulge We are very happy with the result and the contribution of the two exceptional patrons.” The auction also saw a piece of white-wine from Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Les Terres Blanches sold for €27,000 (+28.6 %) –  a rarity as Chardonnay covers only 5% of the appellation and this was completed by a feuillette (a 114-litre barrel) which sold for €16,000 In order to compensate for the shortfall of the vintage and boost the appeal of the auction to those attending the second half of the sale was devoted to bottles of back vintages of Nuits St George wines from 2005 to 2017 a very special auction not only due to the smaller yields pushing the “dynamic” bidding in the room but also due to the decision to offer back vintages of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines – a one-off decision made up of six-bottle cases and mixed cases and 120 magnums lots of wines dating from 2005-2017 it is rare to find back vintages of Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges wines on the auction or secondary market and although this meant there was “little reference” in terms of pricing the wines as it was mostly private individual who buy them from the sale Meanwhile the charity pièce in aid of Coucou nous voilou – a French charity that works to brighten the lives of children and teenagers in hospital through trips games and murals –  has raised €53,900 so far two rare and historic bottles of Hospices Nuits-Saint-Georges were donated to raised extra funds for the charity from Delaunay’s personal cellar comprised a Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru from 1955 and another form 1959 “In my personal cellar I have some wines from the 20s when my grandfather and father were buying them and I decided them to donate two bottles,” Delaunay said although the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges sale disconnected from the wider market for Burgundy” the sale would help to boost not only the reputation of the sale itself “The quality of the wines made by Jean-Marc Maron are outstanding – great wines this year and to some extent and everyone knows the 2024 was difficult – it brought a natural concentration which compensated the lesser good climate and the wines were very good,” he said the Hospices de Nuits St George has been developing its reputation and image they are special wines you don’t’ find anywhere else and although it doesn’t have any influence on the normal market it’s good for the market and good for the vintage reputation – it will participate to improve the reputation of the 2024 vintage.” It is also proving an interesting litmus for Burgundy given the additional challenges beyond the small harvest which includes the market  being  a little on pause for the time being there is some slowing down” combined with a “not very satisfactory” geopolitical situation Edouard Delaunay has been one of the biggest buyers many customers were forced to sit this one out “Unfortunately we didn’t buy as much [this year] – I buy on behalf of some customers but due to the market situation not all my clients they were able to increase their prices by 41% so it is probably the smallest amount that we’ve bought,” he said This is likely to have been the case across the board – with very little wine around from the 2024 vintage not everyone would have been willing to pay the increase prices there also hasn’t been a breakdown of clients by country but the appointment of French online auctioneer iDealwine which was announced in September was intended as a “strategic move to further expand the reach of the auction beyond Burgundy” It is hoped that this will further raise the sale’s already increasing profile and boost its international appeal and attract a wider clientele Delaunany said it was hard to tell at this stage whether this had been successful notably Maison Albert Bichot and Paul Jaboulet Aîné were likely to be buying on behalf of both local and international customers However he pointed out that the better-known Hospices de Beaune sale was still largely dominated by French negociants by around two-thirds Score table listing Charles Curtis MW’s top Burgundy 2023 wines all scoring 94 points or above Further analysis and top-scoring wines of the following areas: This historic house has become a Nuits-Saint-Georges specialist over five generations showcasing the diverse terroirs of this special Burgundy region Nuits-Saint-Georges is one of the most admired of Burgundy’s villages not defined or dominated by a single Grand Cru vineyard but instead a collection of exceptional and varied terroirs to explore It is here that the Delaunay family chose to put down deep roots for Maison Edouard Delaunay focusing their passion and expertise on Nuits-Saint-Georges over the course of five generations Edouard Delaunay has long been fundamental to Burgundy and its expansion during the 20th century the quality of its wines making a name for the house around the world It was trusted to distribute wines from some of the region’s most famous producers and it was often the sole house to purchase and sell the wines from the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges (which predates the better-known Hospices de Beaune) It was during this time that the Delaunay family decided to commit to Nuits-Saint-Georges convinced of the quality of its soils and wines the Edouard Delaunay cellars were established in Nuits-Saint-Georges giving the house nearly a century to study Since 2017, Laurent Delaunay – the great-grandson of Edouard – has crafted characterful wines using precise winemaking techniques He and his winemaking team work with growers throughout the year to get the best possible grapes from vines then employ the specific vinification and aging methods that each plot and variety needs to truly shine the Edouard Delaunay winemaking team was awarded Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in 2019 and 2020 At the heart of Edouard Delaunay’s wine collection, of course, are their Nuits-Saint-Georges cuvées which showcase the many terroirs and characteristics of this village The deeper clay soils in the north of Nuits-Saint-Georges while the rocky limestone soils in the south yield wines that are vibrant and minerally These varied styles come together in the Edouard Delaunay Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘Le Village,’ which earned 91 points from Wine Spectator for its 2020 vintage Then there are the many premier crus of the village which the winemaking team crafts into expressive cuvées such as the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Perrières,’ which received 93 points from Wine Spectator for its 2020 vintage The house is also continuing its long relationship with the Hospices de Nuits as a buyer for this historic wine auction With bold structure and unmistakable quality Nuits-Saint-Georges has won over Burgundy lovers for decades To experience the character and diversity of this fine village look to the house that understands it best: Edouard Delaunay LEARN MORE ShareSaveCommentBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereLifestyleSpirits2023 Nuits-Saint-Georges Burgundy Wine Is Exceptional But ParadoxicalByTom Mullen Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights travel and lifestyle from a base in FranceFollow AuthorMar 11 12:42pm EDTShareSaveCommentWine expert and consultant Aymeric de Clouet De Clouet explained what factors contributed to the overall quality of this 2023 vintage of Pinot Noir His words highlight how chaos and enigma can sometimes produce alluringly seductive wines “The weather was extremely complicated in 2023 but another cold and sunless snap from July to August slowed maturation From August 17th to 20th—heat arrived as a blessing for winemakers Then in September there was another three to four days of extremely hot weather which literally grilled a few grapes that we had to take out on the sorting table but if you didn’t pay attention there could be excessive ripeness.” The quantity of grapes produced was so high during 2023 that Jean-Marc Moron Estate Manager for Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyards Estate Manager for Hospices Nuits-Saint-Georges vineyards “He considered that there were too many grapes,” De Clouet explained “So he made what we call a green harvest in July Green harvesting includes reducing vine leaves to better aerate vines and also cutting off and discarding selected grape bunches to provide a greater concentration of flavors to the grapes that remain It is unusual to have two green harvests during one vintage So the Domaine de Hospices de Nuits made less wine than the year before while in many other domaines [wine estates] the 2023 vintage was much more productive than that of 2022.” De Clouet described vintage 2023 wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges complexity and individuality of each parcel The paradox of the 2023 vintage is that laboratory results of Nuits-Saint-Georges juices include a characteristic that appears at odds with tastings “Analysis shows that acidity is extremely low There is something very atypical in this vintage—especially in that balance which you don’t find in the analysis.” “It’s good to know that we don’t know everything The analysis is not sufficient; the taste is just as important as the analysis Cellar with Nuits-Saint-Georges wines that will be auctioned floral and generous aromas that are slightly nutty a crunchy and textured beauty with tropical flavors Red fruit aromas include raspberries and strawberries A slightly spicy and textured wine with suave acidity Les Fleurieres—Les Plantes au Baron Cuvèe des Soeurs Hospitaliéres Bright and floral aromas of raspberries and red cherries Bright flavors include those of black cherries Supple herbaceous aromas that include red fruit engaging flavors that include blackberries and slight menthol Hospices de Nuits auction within Clos de Vougeot Bright and light red fruit aromas that include raspberries and tropicals as well as florals such as roses Cracking red fruit aromas of raspberries and black cherries—rich and balanced and seductive Powerful dark fruit flavors and a long and vibrant finish Mature and commanding acid/tannin assembly crisp young light red fruit aromas that include raspberries Broad shouldered and commanding but also soft tannins in this classic red Burgundy Quiet aromas that include some granite and red plums balanced red fruit flavors with light acidity A quintessential 2023 red Burgundy howling deft tannins sparkling and lively Nuits-Saint-Georges aromas that include those of black cherries Rich and delightful flavors that need time to develop complexity Remarkable integration of red fruit with acidity and tannins Soft and unassuming aromas that include delicate florals beautiful dark red fruit flavors well integrated with supple tannins In the mouth this is a succulent and delicious and easy drinking wine with confident firm tannins and juicy acidity generous and succulent aromas that include red plums A delightfully easy drinking river of balanced and rich soft red fruit with a sliver of chocolate cake succulent flavors of red fruit as well as figs and some molasses Balanced and well integrated red fruit and acidity A deft wonder to taste with crackling fresh red fruit and beautifully reposed tannins Elegant and shining beauty of a wine with light flavors of succulent red fruit and supple tannins in this lively The Republic of Albania is a small country which borders the eastern side of the southern Adriatic Sea and looks towards Puglia It has one of the oldest winemaking histories in the world landlocked country at the southern end of the Eurasian Caucasus – the mountainous region between Europe and Asia Austria is enjoying a renaissance as a modern wine producing nation Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the flag bearers Azerbaijan is a small country located in the Eurasian Caucasus As in neighboring Georgia winemaking here appears to date back thousands of years Better known for its vodka and grain spirit-based production than wine Belarus is a landlocked country in the north of Eastern Europe Belgium is better known for its traditional abbey-brewed beers than its wines but this small northern European country does produce a small quantity of wine each vintage Bosnia-Herzegovina is a country in the east of southern Europe also referred to as Bosnia and Herzegovina It does not produce a significant quantity of wine although it does have a few thousand acres of productive vineyards Bulgaria has a long history of viticulture and its modern wine industry is introducing regions The Crimea is a peninsula in Eastern Europe almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov dating back at least to the classical Greek period Croatia has been making wine for well over two thousand years the last three decades have seen a steady rise in quality The Mediterranean island of Cyprus lies 50 miles off the coast of Turkey In wine terms it is best known for the dessert wine Commandaria a wider range of styles and grape varieties are coming to the fore the western half of the former Czechoslovakia is better known for its beer than its wine though the latter is also produced in reasonable quantities Denmark is one of the three northern European countries which make up Scandinavia The brewing of beer dominates production of alcoholic beverages Estonia is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe far north of the latitudes in which grapes can reliably ripen and the nation is better known for its beers and vodkas Finland is a northern European country located on the eastern side of the Scandinavian Peninsular The majority of alcoholic beverages produced in Finland are beers and spirits distilled from grain France is arguably the wine world's most important country and home to famed regions such as Bordeaux For centuries it has produced wine in a wide variety of styles in greater quantity than any other country Georgia is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries The red grape Saperavi and the white grape Rkatsiteli are the key varieties grown here Germany's best Rieslings are some of the greatest whites in the world while fine wines are also made from a number of other red and white grape varieties Beer brewing is also a key part of the culture here Greece has been home to a winemaking industry for at least three thousand years Nowadays it combines tradition with modernity using both native and international grape varieties Hungary's wine industry is best known for Tokaj and Bull's Blood But its wine portfolio is much broader in terms of wine styles Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean located around 900 kilometers (550 miles) north of Scotland's Orkney Islands There is little chance of successful viticulture being carried out on the volcanic island Ireland is an island off the west coast of Britain The following description majors on the beverages produced in the Republic of Ireland It has a rich and diverse wine heritage and a bewildering diversity of both grape varieties and wine styles Kosovo is a region of south-eastern Europe once an autonomous province within the former Yugoslavia Kosovo had a substantial acreage of productive wine-bearing vineyards Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe The country once held the Guinness World Record as the world's most northerly commercial open-air vineyard known as Vina kalns ('wine hill') Liechtenstein is a tiny country hidden away among the Alps the country's most noteworthy vineyard is terraced into a rocky outcrop topped by the 1000-year-old Schloss Gutenberg Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe between Belarus and the Baltic Sea bordered by Latvia to the north and Poland to the south The country's best known alcoholic produce is its vodka Luxembourg (officially the 'Grand Duchy of Luxembourg') is a small nation in northern Europe covering just over 2,500 square kilometers (960sq miles) Only 1 percent of this is given over to viticulture Malta is a small island (25 miles / 40m long) in the central Mediterranean Ocean just 80km (50 miles) south of Sicily Viniculture here dates back to the early 16th Century when the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island bringing with them centuries of winemaking tradition Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe and one of several former Soviet states in this region Moldova ranks among the most significant wine regions of Eastern Europe Montenegro is a small country on the western side of the Balkan Peninsula The wine industry here is best known for its intense deeply colored red wine made from the Vranac grape variety The Netherlands is a country in northern Europe The latter is the name of the ancient county in the western Netherlands Norway is a Nordic country located on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula but it also borders Finland and Russia at its far-northern edges is a new and perhaps surprising addition to the list of wine-producing nations Although viniculture is very much in its infancy here and has yet to make any mark on international markets But in the last decade or two it has gained acclaim for its new wave of rich with reds from the Douro Valley particularly prominent Romania lies at the crossroads between Central Europe and South-eastern Europe Its wine industry makes use of a broad portfolio of indigenous and international red and white grape varieties Russia is the largest country in the world covering over 17 million square kilometers (6.5 million square miles) although only the country's southernmost lands are capable of supporting quality viticulture is geographically the largest of the former Yugoslav states Serbian wine is not often seen on international markets although there is no question that the country has the potential to produce world-class wines Slovakia's vineyards are mostly clustered around Bratislava and scattered eastwards along the border with Hungary The eastern fringe of the Tokaj wine region lies in Slovakia Slovenia is a small European country with a long history of wine production Despite the cultural and political turmoil that has besieged the Balkan states over the past century one which has been particularly successful since the country gained independence from former Yugoslavia Spain is home to more hectares of vineyards than any other country and has a national wine output exceeded only by France and Italy Though a wide range of wine styles are made Tempranillo is by far the dominant grape variety Sweden is a country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe Winemaking here is very much in its infancy making up a fraction of one percent of the nation's total alcohol production Switzerland is not widely known as a wine-producing nation largely because the Swiss keep much of their output to themselves The white Chasselas grape is the specialty here Turkey may well be where wine production first began Today the country grows more grapes than almost any country on earth The United Kingdom is best known for its beer It also has a small wine industry which has undergone recent expansion particularly with respect to sparkling wine production Ukraine is a large Eastern European country with a long but potted history of wine production although the country is more readily associated to the production of grain-based spirits (horilka) Canada is famous for its high-quality ice wines but powerful Cabernet blends and aromatic dry Rieslings are also key features in the country's wine portfolio But wine has been made here for longer than anywhere else in the Americas The Vitis vinifera vine came to Mexico with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century The United States is home to many quality wine regions though its global reputation still rides on the success of California and the Napa Valley in particular Whiskey distilling and beer brewing are both integral parts of American culture Argentina is the largest producer of wine in South America its principal grape variety; in recent decades they have together risen to global prominence Bolivia has an extreme high-altitude wine industry in which around 75 percent of production is devoted to red wine its winemaking origins date back to the 16th Century arrival of the Spanish Brazil has a burgeoning wine industry led by its sparkling wines though Cachaça is still its best known export beverage Chile occupies a thin strip down the western coast South America and is home to an enviable variety of wine terroirs and styles it is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Colombia is situated at the north-western corner of South America though the country's rum has a higher profile Ecuador lies on the Pacific coast of northern South America There are only a few hundred hectares of vineyards; rum and beer are produced in much greater volumes Guyana is a country located on the Atlantic coast of northern South America It is well-known for its production of rum and cultivation of sugarcane Spanish-speaking country in central South America The country is more famous for its rum than its wines alhough it does produce more than seven million liters (1.85 million US gallons) of wine each year Peru is a Spanish-speaking nation in western South America Suriname is a country on the north-eastern coast of South America but a small amount of winemaking does in fact take place Uruguay is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in South America Wine grapes have been grown here for more than 250 years although commercial vineyards were first established in the second half of the 19th Century in terms of production of alcoholic beverages The bottlings from Diplomático and Ron Santa Teresa have gained particular acclaim around the world Belize is a small country on the eastern (Mediterranean) coast of Central America The Caribbean is not known for its wines (grape vines do not thrive in the tropical climate) though the region is the undisputed home of rum Costa Rica is a country in Central America and sits on the isthmus between Panama (to the south) and Nicaragua (to the north) The country's key alcoholic beverages are beer and rum Guatemala is a small country in Central America Although it is far from competing with Jamaica sugarcane and the rum produced from it are some of Guatemala's main exports Given Nicaragua's location at the western edge of the Caribbean it is hardly surprising that its key alcohol production comes from sugar famous as the land link between North America and South America It is also home to one of the world's largest tropical rainforests Australia is a leading wine producing country its climatic and geographical range offers versatility Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay lead the way Fiji is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean There are over 330 islands (110 are inhabited) plus many hundreds more islets New Zealand is known globally for its aromatic Sauvignon Blanc whites but it also makes a range of acclaimed cool-climate wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Bordeaux blends and Syrah Norfolk Island is a tiny island located in the Pacific Ocean located almost exactly half-way between New Caledonia and the northern tip of New Zealand Although technically part of the Commonwealth of Australia (Sydney lies 1050 miles / 1700km to the south-west) the island has a high level of self-governance is one of the world's least-known wine regions grape wine is made on this tropical island China vies with several countries as the world's sixth largest producer of wine by volume Its best producers are gaining international recognition India is a rapidly emerging wine economy in terms of both production and consumption with the potential to become a significant player Whisky and spirits distillation has a longer history Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country made up of 33 provinces spread across more than 13,000 individual islands there are wines made in Indonesia: not from imported must or juice but from grapes grown in the island's small number of vineyards though its modern industry has mostly developed in the last few decades The Judean Foothills and Galilee are the largest regions though grape wine has been made there for several centuries Beer and whisky production have also become established in the last hundred years Jordan is a country in the Middle East (or Western Asia as it is officially labeled by the UN) bordered by Iraq and Iran to the east The country takes its name from the Jordan river which since biblical times has been a vital source of water in this desert area Kazakhstan is a large trans-continental country: the vast majority of it lies in Asia but its western extremities cross over into eastern Europe Though it has a very long history of wine production vodka is the principal alcohlic beverage here Lebanon has an ancient wine culture and a modern industry dating from the 19th century Its vineyards are concentrated mostly in the Bekaa Valley The Republic of Myanmar (or Burma) produces a minute quantity of wine unlikely as that might seem to the outsider in this hot has been home to tiny plantings of wine-producing vines since the late 20th Century The high-altitude Himalayan climate is not particularly suited to Vitis vinifera vines so local wines are made from a combination of honey The Philippines is a complex group of islands in Southeast Asia indigenous wines are produced from a variety of fermented crops including fruit South Korea is a country at the far eastern extremity of East Asia situated on a large peninsula which juts southwards from north-eastern China Sri Lanka is an island off the southern tip of India Syria is a mid-sized country in the western Middle East (also known as the Near East) situated between the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea and the deserts of Iraq is located at the centre of the Indochina Peninsula there are also a number of rum producers with the wine industry beginning to gain international notice Vietnam is one of a number of East Asian countries which have appeared on the wine radar since the turn of the century Although its growth is far from rapid and nowhere near as dramatic as that of neighboring China Vietnam's wine production is steadily increasing Algeria is a large country in the Maghreb geographical region of north-west Africa Though an Islamic nation it has a remarkably extensive area under vine Though today much of this focuses on table grape production it is still the second largest wine producer in Africa Cape Verde (officially Cabo Verde) is a small archipelago nation off the coast of West Africa originally colonized by settlers from Portugal in the 15th Century and has a long history of wine production Egypt is home to some of the oldest winemaking traditions on Earth Madagascar is a large island off the south-east coast of Africa it lies almost entirely within the southern tropics creating an ideal climate for sugarcane cultivation and rum maturation Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean about 2000 kilometers off the south-east coast of Africa the country has a long history of rum production Morocco's wine industry retains a strong French influence over six decades from independence bordered by the southern Atlantic Ocean to the west South Africa to the south and Botswana to the east produces only very small quantities of grape wine Wines made from pineapples or palm sap are more common in this tropical nation Pinotage and Chenin Blanc have been its signatures Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also widely planted despite not having an international reputation as a wine producer is actually home to the second largest wine producing region in Sub-Saharan Africa (after South Africa) The history of wine production in the country is relatively recent and roughly grew in tandem with the independence of Tanganyika and its merger with Zanzibar in the 1960s Tunisia is a North African country with a long (if not consistent) history of wine production Despite being a predominantly Muslim country the wine industry here makes over 40 million liters of wine per year and there is no cultural tradition of winemaking have at least one producer making wine from hibiscus flowers Zimbabwe is rarely cited as a wine region of note the southern African nation's wine industry has been gradually growing and evolving This page is currently under development as we change its function Read about the best known regional styles and find the most popular signature style wines and a cause that truly matters—the 64th Hospices de Nuits auction promises exceptional Burgundy wines and the chance to make a difference The annual Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges wine auction is set to take place on 9th March 2025 at Château du Clos de Vougeot While smaller in scale than its more famous counterpart in Beaune this auction has been steadily growing in international recognition attracting global buyers keen to support both the local hospital and Burgundy’s celebrated wines held at the historic Château du Clos de Vougeot the organisers outlined the challenges and highlights of this year’s event acknowledged the financial pressures faced by hospitals explaining that “looking for money is hard,” and underlined how vital the auction is in funding local healthcare projects Despite facing difficult weather conditions 2024 has yielded a remarkably “high-quality vintage” quantities are significantly lower than usual With yields at just 9.5 hectolitres per hectare and only 36 barrels produced (compared to a typical 100) rich and elegant,” with fermentation already completed for the reds some already aged for three to four months in barrels the charity auction will feature a white wine: Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Les Terres Blanches With Chardonnay covering only 5% of the appellation this rare offering adds a notable dimension to the event organisers will auction bottles from past vintages (2005 to 2017) to compensate for the lower barrel count this year the Hospices de Nuits auction has been steadily gaining traction on the international stage This year marks the first time iDealwine will organise the auction bringing its global expertise in online sales to the event is a leader in digital wine auctions and has a presence in Paris The partnership is a strategic move to further expand the reach of the auction beyond Burgundy a shift welcomed by organisers keen to raise its profile the CEO of iDealwine highlighted how the event aligns with their ethos: a blend of charity and fine wine which resonates with their international clientele as well as by phone or purchase request via Drouot Live Each year, the auction raises vital funds for the local hospital, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to a chosen charity. This year’s beneficiary is Coucou nous voilou a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the hospital experience for terminally ill children who previously directed one of France’s largest children’s hospitals explained that while medical treatment is paramount the emotional and psychological well-being of young patients is often overlooked The charity funds projects that bring comfort to hospitalised children—whether through providing superhero-themed infusion bag covers or organising special outings that Coucou nous voilou has €150,000 worth of projects planned but still needs the funding to make them a reality this year’s pièce de charité—the charity barrel—will be a blend of nine different Premier Crus a special selection that is expected to generate strong bidding interest The broader wine market has faced challenges recently with prices dropping by 30% in some regions with high-quality wines maintaining their appeal Organisers remain optimistic that the auction will see strong prices particularly given the exceptional quality of the vintage and the increasing international interest in the event “The auction increases our visibility in the market,” Moron noted emphasizing that the Hospices de Nuits serves not only as a fundraising initiative but also as a showcase for Burgundy’s historic winemaking expertise With its combination of historic tradition the 64th Hospices de Nuits auction promises to be a highlight of the 2025 Burgundy wine calendar Whether in the auction hall at Clos de Vougeot or bidding from afar wine lovers have an opportunity to support both a remarkable cause and a unique piece of Burgundian heritage The 64th Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges auction will take place at Château du Clos de Vougeot on Sunday Whether attending in person or bidding remotely both private individuals and professionals can participate in the event In Person at the Château – Attendees can register on-site Online via Drouot Live – For those unable to attend, live bidding is available through Drouot Live. Bidders must create an account on drouot.com and validate their participation with iDealwine before the registration deadline By Phone or Purchase Request – Buyers can submit a purchase request or arrange for phone bidding. iDealwine will place bids on their behalf according to pre-submitted instructions These requests must be submitted in writing before 6th March The auction primarily sells barrels (pièces) of wine each holding 228 litres (about 288 bottles) bottles from older vintages (2005–2017) will also be available the charity barrel (pièce de charité)—this year a blend of nine Premier Crus—can be purchased through a separate system with buyers registering for bottles instead of bidding in the main auction Bidders drove up the average price-per-barrel at at the 64th Hospices de Nuits-St-Georges Burgundy auction by 41.5% on last year’s event That’s close to the all-time record set in 2022 which hosted the annual sale for the first time on 9 March at the usual venue in the cellars of Château du Clos de Vougeot This year’s auction focused on Burgundy’s young 2024 vintage and iDealwine said total sales from 35.5 barrels were produced for this year’s auction due to the small Burgundy 2024 harvest The Domaine des Hospices de Nuits-St-Georges Last year’s auction focusing on the relatively large 2023 vintage ‘We are happy and proud of the result following what was a very low quantity vintage.’ The headline charity pièce brought the total this year to 36.5 barrels and had individually raised €53,900 ‘so far’ This year’s charity barrel was a white wine for the first time Funds raised will go to the Coucou Nous Voilou children’s charity which was represented at the sale by French actress and comedian Chantal Ladesou and champion figure skater Philippe Candeloro A two-bottle case of Nuits-St-Georges Premier Cru from 1955 and 1959  was also donated by Maison Edouard Delaunay to raise additional money for the charity Such were the small volumes on offer this year that the Domaine also took the rare step of releasing bottles and magnums from the 2005 and 2017 vintages to add an extra dimension to the auction which also oversees the Hospices de Nuits auction We had hoped for a small rise in the pièce prices and we had a wonderful surprise with the records ‘The sale of the bottles and magnums from past vintages allowed a few great wine enthusiasts to indulge.’  Nuits-St-Georges was generally less severely impacted than many neighbouring villages by the weather conditions in 2021 iDealwine has been appointed as the new auctioneers for the annual charity auction for the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges The sale takes place in March each year at Burgundy’s Château du Clos de Vougeot Although the Hospices de Nuits was founded as home for lepers in 1270 evolving to provide healthcare for local people and building its wine estate through vineyard donation the sale – now in its 64th edition – has typically been less well-known than the Hospices de Beaune However, the move looks to be part of a concerted effort to further build the prestige of the auction. Speaking of the new appointment, Guillaume Koch, director of the Hospices Civils de Beaune (the organising body of both the Hospices de Nuits and the Hospices de Beaune), said he was very pleased to partner with iDealwine “It is our ambition to grow the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges’ reputation and iDealwine’s application really stood out to us As the annual charity auction attracts an ever-increasing number of visitors and results to match we can continue to showcase the estate’s wines and the work carried out by the Hospices Civils de Beaune.” takes over from auctioneer Hugues Cortot of Cortot & Associés noting his hard his work over the past five years which had seen “successive records broken” at the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges Laurent Delaunay of négociant Edouard Delaunay noted that the reputation of Nuits-Saints-Georges had markedly increased in the last six or seven years even if the majority of buyers are still French negociants and syndicates of private buyers It is also a  source of considerable local pride The 2023 and 2024 sales for example contrasted with the 2017 and 2018, when some cuvees did not receive any bids. In 2023, the sale saw total receipts up 45% on the previous year to €3,603,000 while the charity pièce – a blend of the nine Nuits-St-Georges premiers crus – raised a record €64,580 And although last year event saw an overall 36% decline on the 2023 total it was still the second-largest total in the auction’s 63-year history and also achieved the highest prices for its star barrels The charity pièce Cuvée des Bienfaiteurs sold for a record €68,330 (up from €67,430 in 2023) while the Cuvée Hugues Perdrizet exceeded 2023’s result of  €40,000 by a wide margin following a record €60,000 bid from one of the auction’s biggest bidders As a result, the slightly contradictory result in 2024 were seen to be reflected of several factors – the rising reputation of the sale and an exceptional vintage, set against lower production – there were 10 fewer barrels in the sales in 2024 year compared to the previous year – and indications of the cooling Burgundy market The Domaine des Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges comprises 12.4 hectares of vineyards throughout Nuits-St-Georges (where the majority are) comprising eight village level parcels and nine Premier Crus- including the Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru ‘Les Didiers’ monopole appellation and a white Nuit-Saint-Georges Premier Cru ‘The forgotten beauty of the Côte,’ says Thibault Liger-Belair of the town, Nuits-St-Georges. Without a doubt, he is right. Despite its prime location, it is often overlooked — or at least underestimated — by Burgundy lovers today Nuits-St-Georges is a marvellous destination for staggeringly good red wines from the Côte de Nuits that still offer value even in today’s overheated Burgundy market Burgundian wine producer Maison Arnaud Boué has acquired 7.56ha in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits almost doubling its holdings and securing parcels said to hold “great potential” The acquisition mark a significant moment for owner and winemaker Arnaud Boué who has been looking for additional plots in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits a region that he focuses on “by chance and by choice” In addition to the original 7 hectares of vines outside Villars-Fontaine he also owns a couple of hectares in Nuits-Saint-Georges and buys grapes from like-minded growers selected handful according to their terroir a cru of Hautes Côtes de Nuits which is considered one of the appellation’s best terroirs due to its location on top of a plateau overlooking Nuits St Georges which provides good exposure and a unique climate for the vines the higher-altitude plots “yield fruit with higher acidity the poorer limestone soils higher up the hillside impart a unique depth and elegance.” The remaining plots comprise 0.34 ha of Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and 0.52 ha of Coteaux Bourguignon The move is consistent with a growing number of producers in the region who have been looking at the Hautes–Côtes de Nuits to future-proof production The previously somewhat overlooked appellation offers cooler temperatures and cheaper land compared to its more illustrious neighbours Boué has worked at some the world’s leading wineries including Château Gazin and producers across New Zealand to work at several Burgundian domaines including Domaine David Duband and Domaine des Lambrays He later established his own small maison in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits having acquired diverse experiences in both the northern and southern hemispheres Nuits-St-Georges is one of the most historic and emblematic names of Burgundy – and yet you’ll find an unusual street sign: Place du Cratère Saint Georges The back-story links this small merchant town’s chief claim to fame – wine – with the golden age of lunar exploration the Apollo XV mission to the Moon set out to explore a large crater in the side of the Mons Hadley Delta massif The story goes that the crew got into a heated discussion about what they might find there and decided to wager a bottle of wine on the outcome The wine in question had to be from Nuits-St-Georges – and the crater had to be so named – because of a reference in Jules Verne’s 1870 science fiction work qui se trouvait ‘par hasard’ dans le compartiment des provisions Les trois amis la burent à l’union de la Terre et de son satellite.” which ‘just happened’ to be among their supplies The three friends drank to the union of the Earth and its satellite.” the town wasn’t called Nuits-St-Georges at all was renamed to distinguish it from another Nuits (rechristened Nuits-sous-Ravières) further up the line It was only in 1892 that the town was finally allowed to shake off this rather humiliating moniker and it appended the name of its most celebrated vineyard the “reference vineyard” of Nuits-St-Georges but its classification remains that of premier cru to producer Thibault Liger-Belair – that’s an injustice that can only be remedied with promotion to grand cru status with just over two hectares out of Les Saint-Georges’ 7.52ha total launched the grand cru campaign back in 2007 recalling that his grandfather would habitually taste Les Saint-Georges alongside Charmes-Chambertin His arguments range from the historical to the qualitative When the original list of grands crus was finalised in the 1930s the wine trade was in a very different place: in bad years producers were forced to empty unsold wine from their vats in order to accommodate the new vintage The merchants who sold the bulk of their wine as generic ‘Vin de Nuits’ had little interest in the elevation of the best components of their assemblages; especially when grand cru wines were more expensive because they incurred higher taxes a geological fault that brings deposits of fragmented limestone down from a blind comb to the north-west “And the best-draining soil is the soil of the grand cru.” Changes in vineyard and winery (less pigeage) “When I started making Saint-Georges in 2001 the wine was a little bit like a body builder,” he explains after working with organics and biodynamics but the muscle is more like the muscle of a dancer It’s much more fine than it was in the past.” the INAO application has reached the stage of drawing up a production rulebook – the cahier des charges – which in itself is quite a task when 13 landowners have to agree on the detail Then there are the economic arguments: to be accepted as a grand cru the wines have to sell for consistently higher sums than the other Nuits-St-Georges premiers crus Morris highlights the similarly lofty status of neighbouring Les Vaucrains which shares much of the geology of Les Saint-Georges These are mostly owned by Vosne producers who are accustomed to charging a little more for their wines There could be an element of self-fulfilling prophecy at play here Morris reports that wines from Les Saint-Georges weren’t priced at a strong premium prior to the grand cru campaign; once it was publicised they climbed steadily above those of Les Vaucrains This differential was clear at the Hospices de Nuits auction held in March when the average price paid for a barrel of the estate’s Les Saint-Georges bottlings (€45,133) was well above the mean for premier cru red wines across the sale (€26,510) Fifteen of the 17 highest-grossing lots were cuvées sourced from Les Saint-Georges “We need a generation to do it.” He also sees 2032 as a neat nod to the earlier promotions of Clos des Lambrays (1982) but it’s too slow for very good reasons,” says Laurent Delaunay head of revived family négociant Edouard Delaunay and another fan of Les Saint-Georges “You have to show over several decades if the quality is really better – it has to be a guarantee of that … But I think it would be fantastic for Nuits-St-Georges “I am a great supporter of Nuits-St-Georges and have been sorry to see that it is not always valued as an appellation as it should be,” he says “The arrival of a grand cru would be a welcome boon.” Les Saint-Georges would be Nuits-St-Georges’ first grand cru Does Liger-Belair think any of the other premiers crus have similar merit He pales slightly at the thought of embarking on another generation-long effort maybe Les Cailles [another adjacent cru] and Les Vaucrains which was held at the  Clos de Vougeot on Sunday (10 March) demonstrated the rising reputation of the sale and an exceptional vintage However the overall results showed that the market has definitely cooled the lesser known Hospices auction – an older foundation than the better known Hospices de Beaune but one that has been something of a ‘hidden gem’  – has steadily risen in terms of quality and reputation Last year’s auction saw a record-breaking €3.6m however this auction this year – the 63rd edition of the historic foundation – saw a 36% decline on last year’s figure It seems to be something of a paradox – despite the lower totals the result was still the second-largest total in the auction’s 63-year history achieving the highest price for its star barrels featuring a blend of the estate’s nine premier crus sold for a record €68,330 (up from €67,430 in 2023) while the Cuvée Hugues Perdrizet drew a record bid of €60,000 from one of the auction’s biggest bidders exceeding last year’s  €40,000 by a wide margin was made from a selection of the oldest vines on the estate and named in honour of the first donor to the Hospices de Nuits estate the red wines sold for an average price of  €15,750 per barrel reaching a total of €2,220,500 (hammer price) overall The only white wine (Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Les Terres Blanches cuvée Pierre de Pême) sold for €61,000 (hammer price) it was expected that there would be some knock-on effect as the market started to cool last year – the Hospices de Beaune sale for example netted 15% less in November than in 2022 Auctioneer Hugues Cortot told the drinks business that because there were 10 fewer barrels in the sales this year compared to last year but had been hoping to reach the €3 million mark and that the dip would only go to around 5% less than last year the 36% must have been something of a disappointment with some of the barrels not reaching their pre-sale estimate – but one private buyer at the sale did tell db that he thought the estimate had been set quite high the sale proved to be a “buyers market” as consultant wine expert Aymeric de Clouet told db after the auction finished that it had largely followed the trend of the wider market He added that the reputation of the Premier Cru Les Saint-Georges had continued to build despite the market “The amazing result is that Saint-Georges first growth continues to rise in price despite the difficult market conditions so that between Les Saints George and the other premier cru of Nuits-Saintes-Georges the price difference is growing,” he pointed out “Saintes-Georges has more and more run towards its Grand Cru status everyone considers it is normal that Saintes-Georges differentiates itself.” Although it is uncertain when a decision can be expect (“it is supposed to be decided in the next few weeks or a few months or a few years – who knows with French administration” Clouet shrugged) he said that the price comes in anticipation “that it will become a Grand Cru soon.” Speaking to the drinks business during Saturday’s tasting technical manager of the estate Jean-Marc Moron said that he was expecting the prices to come down in comparison to 2022 because there had been a brakes on export as the price of Burgundy had risen “I think that it will come down – the public the buyers want a reduction [in price] to be moderate It is a good image to convey to Bourgogne [prices] to stop going up as there will be more people coming towards us [Otherwise] there are many people who no longer come to Bourgogne.” He also noted that although the 2022 vintage had been widely hailed as a good vintage the more heterogenous 2023 vintage had garnered less attention “It was not a vintage with a lot of publicity so one has to the work of communicating and tastings because otherwise [buyers] are not interested,” he said Moron noted that 2023 had been a more difficult vintage than 2022 and the team removed suckers in May and green harvested in July to order to maintain a reasonable yield “It was important that we didn’t harvest too much and that’s the reason that  in the Cote de Nuit we produced less wine in 2003 than in 2022,” he said Two periods of scorching heat in August meant that after the harvest the teams had to sort the grapes  very carefully to removed any scorched fruit resulting in a lower number of barrels this year the  2023 was “an exceptional year in terms of identity” and “incomparable to its predecessors” characteristics that are not indicative of a solar vintage,” the sale brochure noted Laurent Delaunay of négociant Edouard Delaunay argued that although generally the 2023 vintage was not perceived as being as good as the ‘22 vintage Moron had succeeded in making a very high-quality vintage “I tasted a lot of wines in many wineries and cellars and it’s probably one of the highest level I’ve seen for 2023,” he said “We’re going to have some of the best ‘23 vintage that are available in Burgundy.” The reputation of Nuits-Saints-Georges has markedly increased in the last six or seven years he noted – for example in 2017 and 2018 there were some cuvees that did not received any bids “But it has totally changed and now there is more interest” The sale has also been attracting more international appeal even though the majority of buyers are still French negociants along with some syndicates of private buyers It was perhaps unfortunate that this year’s auction clashed with ProWein though “I know that some of my customers who came last year are at Prowein this year it makes it slightly difficult when that happens,” he said “Unfortunately… it was too late for us to coordinate and to change the date of the Hospice de Nuits.” “What is interesting is that while the Hospices de Nuits is definitely less well-known than the Hospices de Beaune all the work has to be done to make it discovered,” he said I like to showcase things that are a little hidden so many terroirs and so there is always something new to discover And even though Hospices de Nuits has been existing for very long time because it has been a bit hidden to some extent it’s a great thing to participate to the rise in the Hospice de Nuits.” The first of two individual time trials in this Tour de France is crucial in the battle for the Yellow Jersey With narrow margins at the top of the overall standings and the exceptional time-trial abilities of Tadej Pogacar Will one of the Fab Four triumph in the 25.3-kilometer race against the clock between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin There couldn’t be a more picturesque route for a time trial The first individual time trial of the Tour de France takes riders through forests On narrow roads with rough patches of asphalt the time trial specialists and GC contenders will race the 25.3 kilometers at high speed Even the Côte de Reulle-Vergey (1.6 kilometers at 6.1 percent average gradient) which comes after a flat ten-kilometer stretch the route gently rises for nearly three kilometers up to the village of Curley (454 meters) riders will descend continuously for about five kilometers to Morey-Saint-Denis (264 meters) leading to the finish in Gevrey-Chambertin Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) sees Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) as the favorite for the first time trial of this Tour Pogacar is confident he will put in a solid performance himself He didn’t comment on Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) despite their track records in winning Tour stages and Olympic gold in time trials the reigning world champion in this discipline whether this will be enough to gain 45 seconds on Pogacar over 25 kilometers and take the Yellow Jersey remains to be seen It will also be interesting to see how time trial specialists like Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) and Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-EasyPost) perform against the GC riders currently seventh in the overall standings as he is a better time trialist than Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Mikel Landa (Soudal-Quick Step) Mathieu van der Poel’s Canyon Aeroad CFR: The Bike Behind His Spring Classic Wins Mathieu van der Poels Cyclocross Calendar 2024/2025 Season Review 2024: Great Success of Team Alpecin-Deceuninck 1:18 PM | Updated: 1:19 pm FRANCE - JULY 07: Christopher Froome of Great Britain riding for Team Sky in the leader's jersey rides in the peloton during stage seven of the 2017 Le Tour de France a 213.5km stage from Troyes to Nuits-Saint-Georges on July 7 BY ISSY RONALD, CNN “I’m sorry for having damaged the image of the sport,” Bernard posted on X “but I would pay 200 CHF ($220) every day to relive this moment.” The individual time trial on Stage 7 of this year’s race traversed 25.3 kilometers (roughly 15.7 miles) of Bernard’s home roads from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy, and so his family and friends had flocked to the roadside to cheer him on, waving homemade posters that said “Allez JB!” and jumping in the middle of the road as others on the roadside converged on them before parting to let Bernard through again In his post on X, Bernard included a screenshot of the fine issued by the UCI, cycling’s governing body, which said the French cyclist had engaged in “unseemly or inappropriate behavior during the race and damage to the image of the sport.” CNN has reached out to the UCI for comment “I’d been waiting for this moment since the route was announced last October,” he told local newspaper Le Bien Public. “This kind of moment comes once in a lifetime and never mind if they fined me The fine was explained as for behavior damaging to the image of the sport “My wife organized for everyone to come and see me at that point of the race and I wanted to show my gratitude and thank her for that.” especially French cyclists at a race as big as the Tour de France to stop and acknowledge their friends and family by the roadside if it is at a more relaxed moment in the race Danish cyclist Magnus Cort replied to Bernard’s post on X with a video of himself kissing his wife by the roadside and quipped: “What a joke I guess I was lucky when they missed me a couple of days ago.” former US cyclist Lance Armstrong seemed less than impressed he’s straight up stopped,” said Armstrong in an Instagram story he posted Bernard eventually finished 61st on the stage CNN’s Eve Brennan contributed to this report This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page GC shake up expected once 174 riders complete 25.3km race against the clock from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin Reigning time trial Olympic champion Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is 1:14 back in fifth overall and will use the opportunity to carve away at his fellow Slovenian’s race lead Expect a strong showing from two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) who won the Tour’s hilly time last year on stage 16 Watch for USA’s Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) to take advantage of the undulating course to make a jump into the top 10 Currently 11th overall in a group of four riders 3:21 behind the race leader Jorgenson finished fourth in the ITT at Critérium du Dauphiné and then used podiums in two climbing stages to finish second overall in that Tour tuneup a rise that averages 6.1% across 1.6km through Reulle-Vergy to Curley so it provides any lost momentum to be regained on the 10.9km remaining to the flat finish Mark Cavendish followed by his Astana-Qazaqstan teammate Michael Mørkøv will lead the process of 174 riders down the start ramp The top 10 riders take the course from 16:42 to 17:00 There are three time checks along the route the first before the climb in Mesanges after 8.6km the second at the crest of the climb at 14.4km and a third on Morey-Saint-Denis with 6.4km to race Organisers estimate the winning time to be in the 29-minute range so be sure to be tuned into Cyclingnews' live report for all of the updates before the winner is decided a sports marketing and public relations agency which managed projects for Tour de Georgia a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years - from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams She has climbed l'Alpe d'Huez three times (not fast) Her favorite road and gravel rides are around horse farms in north Georgia (USA) and around lavender fields in Provence (France) ShareSaveCommentLifestyleSpiritsA Family Wine Estate Lost While Dealing With Father’s Alzheimer’sByCathrine Todd Cathrine Todd is a New York City-based writer who focuses on wine.Follow AuthorNov 27 10:15pm ESTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 2 years old.Alzheimer's disease concept of memory loss and losing brain function The surreal California coastline seems like a dream to a young man from Burgundy the wines and the people who have a casual warm temperament balanced by a fast-paced creative energy He became completely inspired by the idea that anything is possible in this stunning paradise while meeting people from all over the world who have moved to “The Golden State” to live their dreams The 24-year-old young man was to stay two to three years in California just after having graduated from the University of Dijon to gain international experience so he could return to his family’s wine estate hopefully bringing valuable contributions back from his time spent in the U.S Your father is tired and he needs help!” said the young man’s mother on the phone one day after he had barely spent a year in California he didn’t question it but jumped on a plane back home where he would help his father But something wasn’t right as the young man’s father did not seem like the same man that he was before he left And his father’s ability to perform everyday tasks seemed to get more difficult for him as time went on; within a few months While mourning the loss of the father he knew this young man needed to take over quickly during an unfortunate economic time in 1991 It was during the first Gulf War and inflation was high with a significant increase in the cost of living Burgundy’s property taxes had already become exorbitant and this young man needed to make sure his parents had enough money to live out the rest of their retirement So the young man reached out to one of his father’s longtime friends, Jean-Claude Boisset, who had already bought many vineyards and wineries in Burgundy to purchase Edouard Delaunay the young man’s parents would have a nice nest egg So he decided to move down to the South of France with his future wife a winemaker from the Rhône Valley (just south of Burgundy) She had heard that the Languedoc wine region in the South was the best place for young people with zero resources to start a winemaking business That young man was Laurent Delaunay and his family’s estate, Edouard Delaunay was named after the founder and his great-grandfather; in an ideal world he would have been the fifth generation taking over went down to the Languedoc to figure out how they could make wine with “no winery Rolling hills and rows of vines in the Languedoc “We were able to convince some local people to allow us to make our own wines in their wineries,” said Laurent they made wine while quickly developing new markets around the world he received a call from an old friend back home as his friend’s father wanted to retire - he was an owner of a small company in Burgundy that distributed and marketed the wines of small Burgundy producers It was an excellent opportunity to find a way back to Burgundy Even though he and his wife had successful businesses in the South and they had very little time to dwell on the past Laurent wanted to renew that connection with what he lost They were back living in Burgundy and grew their business to represent 180 Burgundy producers frustration started to build as he wasn’t making his own wines in Burgundy He had a few opportunities to buy some vineyards and then a négociant2 house but none of those deals worked out and it didn’t seem right in his gut Laurent saw Jean-Claude Boisset at a restaurant in the Burgundy village of Nuits-Saint-Georges and after Jean-Claude’s guests left Laurent took that serendipitous moment to invite Jean-Claude to join him for coffee Laurent mentioned his old family’s estate that he sold to Jean-Claude and that he was seeing it on the market less and less which Jean-Claude admitted that they had bought a lot of wineries lately and they hadn’t given the Edouard Delaunay name the attention that it needed Laurent asked if he could buy his family’s estate name and winery back and Jean-Claude agreed as he always respected what Laurent did for his parents But Jean-Claude would not sell back the vineyards which probably would have been impossible for Laurent to buy anyways as some of their vineyards were in the very expensive village of Chambolle-Musigny Edouard Delaunay's winery and cellars When Laurent walked back into his family winery he was struck by the intense emotions he felt that were buried deep within him Seeing all the areas where he would play as a child and the smells that were unique to his family’s cellars brought back a flood of memories that mainly conjured all those times he spent with his father teaching him various winemaking techniques as an adolescent an adolescent who dreamt of the day he would work side by side with his father as a man he swore he would bring Edouard Delaunay back to its glory by reestablishing the name among the top Burgundy wines of the world he completely renovated the winery with state-of-the-art equipment to accommodate small-volume the chief winemaker and cellar master at the School of Viticulture in Beaune Laurent’s father had always respected those chosen to be the chief winemaker at the School of Viticulture in Beaune as he felt they picked the people who had the best sense of how to express the terroir of the various vineyards in Burgundy The last thing he needed was to find grapes to buy so Laurent reached out to everyone in his network to give him the contact information for the growers he most wanted to work with in Burgundy And even though being from Burgundy himself he knew that growers have long relationships with well-known winemakers and négociants2 and they would never jeopardize those relationships by working with a new producer in town who wanted to give a go at making Burgundy wine especially when it comes to certain circumstances as all the producers were thrilled that he was resurrecting his family’s estate and they were more than happy to sell him grapes; some would even set aside the equivalent of a couple of barrels of their grapes from their top Grand Cru vineyards just for him because as they saw it Grand Cru and 1er Cru (Premier Cru) vineyards in Cote de Nuits His first vintage was 2017 and they produced wines from 20 different appellations3 from the heart of Burgundy in the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune Laurent slowly increased their offerings over the years and today they make wines from around 30 different appellations He has also taken on the task of expanding into the vineyards of the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits only three miles outside of the well-known red wine village of Nuits-Saint-Georges He makes the case that the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune which makes up the most valuable Burgundy vineyard land known as the Golden Slope a.k.a were designated with incredible skill and accuracy by the monks many centuries ago yet no one has formally designated the vineyards of the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits The Hautes-Côtes de Nuits has Jurassic limestone soil and the vineyards range in altitude between 980 to 1,300 feet; such altitude could be more ideal today with consistently warmer temperatures due to climate change Within a short time, Laurent’s winemaker, Christophe Briotet, has won awards from the International Wine Challenge (IWC) first winning Red Winemaker of the Year in 2020 and then White Winemaker of the Year in 2021 Laurent was asked to become the president of the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) a non-for-profit organization of wine growers/winemakers and négociants that handle the present and future challenges of the Burgundy wine region As someone who had already been through a multi-generational wine family’s worst nightmare of having to sell as well as being a great businessman and marketer by building a successful business with global distribution out of nothing And so Laurent goes around the world talking to various wine enthusiast groups to inform and inspire them about the current state of Burgundy and where the wine region wants to go in the future One of the things he would like to implement is to inform English-speaking countries like the U.S that the name of Burgundy in French is Bourgogne (pronounced bor·gaan·yuh) as they are the only wine region in France where the name is changed in English Laurent Delaunay holding a bottle of 1990 Edouard Delaunay Laurent had everything anyone wanted: successful businesses fulfilling work and a great partner in life with his talented wife Catherine there was still something missing as one should never live in regret He did the right thing when it came to taking care of his parents but it was undoubtedly a very unfair position for someone who wasn’t even 25 years old to have to navigate escalating inflation and excessive property taxes he needed more than ever to talk to his father and lean on him for advice and comfort But his father needed him and the clock was ticking so he did what he had to do although it doesn’t make business sense to try to reinvigorate and reestablish a neglected family estate in a highly competitive Burgundy fine wine market as a part of him was taken the day he sold Laurent is grateful for every grape that enters his winery from all the wine grape growers who are willing to sell him his “birthright” as no one knows more than he does what it is like to have great vineyards to be swiftly lost by the cruelty of the randomness of life as all the precious time he spends in the winery and cellars is filled with memories that are as vivid as if they happened yesterday The transition of one generation to the other did not happen the way Laurent’s father wanted it to happen but Laurent has more than made up for that over the past five years And as unfortunate as the initial selling of his family’s estate may seem it gave him the drive to go down to the South of France to build a booming wine business gaining marketing savvy and global distribution know-how independent Burgundy wine producers build a strong business foundation for their multi-generational estates so what happened to him decades ago never has to happen to another family again The French word Bourgogne is used below instead of the English word Burgundy: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Baudines” crumbled hazelnuts and a touch of warm spice on the nose with juicy nectarine fruit on the palate intermixed with dried lemon verbena and good mid-palate weight with a long 2020 Gruhier & Delaunay - Associated Cousins Intense chalky nose with a fierce stony minerality highlighted with lemon blossom that becomes mouthwatering on the palate with flavors of lemon zest and white peach that has lots of energy on the mineral-laced finish This non-designated vineyard called Les Rouards is near the Vosne-Romanée border and so it has similar beautiful floral notes with a silky texture that has plenty of backbone – interesting to see how this will age in time cinnamon stick and broken earth dominate the flavor profile at this time but there seems to be so much more underneath waiting to evolve with time This Nuits-Saint-Georges village wine is a blend of three vineyards that come from older vines One is north-facing and so the fruit is more aromatic with high acidity and the other two plots are south-facing and so they bring the richness and body to balance out the other plot fresh tarragon and a touch of cumin seeds with concentrated and zingy flavors of raspberry coulis on the palate that has fine tannins and a linear drive to the finish Wet stones and dried cranberries on the nose with an intoxicating smoldering incense aroma in the background that has dark brooding fruit and finely etched tannins with a long Lifted aromatic nose with lilacs and cherry blossom grounded in an underlying compelling undergrowth aroma with extremely silky tannins that caress the palate with fleshy red cherry and a stunning delicacy on the finish with pristine fruit and minerality Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Porrets St A very pretty wine with lots of violets and blueberry fruit that has plum pie flavors on the palate intermixed with ripe red cherry fruit that has an overall elegance balanced by fruit generosity Laurent talked about how the Hospices de Beaune is very well-known but the Hospices de Nuits needs to be rediscovered It is much smaller than the Hospices de Beaune auction and it is focused on the 1er Crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges is the largest land owner of 1er Crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges The auction happens on the 3rd Sunday of March and so it is later than the Hospices de Beaune the wines are already tasting better and MLF has almost finished The auction takes place at Château du Clos de Vougeot and it has recently been opened to the public This wine’s aroma was wafting from the glass the moment it was poured begging the Burgundy lover to try an extraordinary wine that was multi-layered with black truffles pressed rose petals and jasmine flower; supple fruit on the exquisitely textured body with velvety tannins and sexy concentrated red fruit that is at the same time charming with its nuanced delivery of the fruit with an outstandingly long finish 1Domaines are parcels of land under the control of the winemaker/owner in Burgundy 2Standard wine négociants buy wine and handle the packaging there are some négociants that will buy grapes or unfermented wine juice and do the winemaking themselves or they buy fermented wine and make tiny improvements to the wine as well as age it 3An appellation is a designated wine area many times to indicate quality status with it specifically used in Burgundy under categories such as villages (communes) 1er Cru (Premier Cru) vineyards and Grand Cru vineyards Tadej Pogačar second and concedes only 12 seconds to Belgian after race against the clock to Gevrey-Chambertin outpowering race leader Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) despite thinking he had suffered a late puncture The Belgian ‘aero bullet’ attacked every inch of the 25.3km route from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin as the Tour headed through the stunning Burgundy vineyards beating Pogačar in second by only 12 seconds Evenepoel led by 10 seconds from Pogačar and 23 from Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) at the top of the only hill roughly halfway through the course extending his lead on the winners of the past four Tour on descent and flat run-in by two seconds and 14 seconds respectively While he wasn’t in his ITT World Champion’s jersey as the leader of the young rider’s classification the rainbow accents were all over his kit and bike as he ripped through the course proving he is every bit the best time trialist in the world Primož Roglič took a solid third 34 seconds down on the Belgian as the GC battle reignited towards the end of the first week with the overall contenders beating the time trial specialists on the incredibly quick course Vingegaard dropped to fourth on the stage once he crossed the line after being ahead of former teammate Roglič for much of his effort There was no change to position in the top three overall between Pogačar but the Belgian got closer to the lead and the Dane further from yellow Roglič Also moved up to fourth thanks to his efforts I was on a good day but the climb was actually pretty tough because of course I wanted to start fast and I had to keep something for the climb which wasn’t easy when you’re on the limit was pretty technical and fast But I enjoyed every metre of this TT and coming out with the win is simply amazing before explaining why he thought he had punctured in the final few kilometres “I was pretty sure I had a puncture actually I was a bit scared but after a few hundred metres further in the TT I knew nothing was wrong I just had to take risks because I knew Tadej was pretty close to me so it was a close one but I just wanted to win today and that’s accomplished so very proud.” Evenepoel moved closer to Pogačr on GC and now sits just 33 seconds away from the two-time winner going into stage 8 But he stayed with what he said before the Tour conceding that the Slovenian may be “unreachable” “We weren't really thinking about the time gaps in the GC We just want to take a stage win that is done took some time on the others so mission accomplished and now we have to focus on tomorrow and on Sunday Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) got proceedings underway on stage 7 as the current Lanterne Rouge rolling off the ramp in Nuits-Saint-Georges just after 13:00 local time in the Côte-d'Or department With many of the first few riders being sprinters stage 7 didn’t get a proper benchmark until Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-EasyPost) got started with intent He railed his TT bike through the opening technical corners and was immediately well up at the first time check in Messanges He knocked Luke Durbridge (Jayco AlUla) off the hotseat soon after the Australian had claimed ownership of it with a solid effort with Bissegger setting a time of 30:06 as the first to average over 50 kph average speed It looked like a time that might stand until the other TT specialists got going over an hour later but behind there was a Frenchman flying up the road on a rare rim brake setup no less Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) The stage 2 winner had bested Bissegger’s time at the second time check atop the climb to Curley and held his lead all the way to the line setting a new best time of 29:44 at the line in Gevrey-Chambertin despite losing time to the Swiss rider in the final 5.4km But Vauquelin could not sit comfortably as he got into the hotseat with specialists Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) and Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) all getting underway in a 27-minute block after him Campenaerts was the first to arrive at the finish with the former hour record holder narrowly beating the Frenchman’s benchmark by a whisker only managing a gap of less than a second to take the lead Küng then should have gone even faster but crossed the line with a time eight seconds slower than the Belgian after a dropped chain forced him to restring his chain while on the bike This lost him around 30 seconds after going through the Messanges time check with a 12-second lead on everyone and ended another Tour time trial with disappointment for Küng Van Aert didn’t threaten his compatriot’s lead when he crossed the line 59 seconds down with him showing more good signs of recovery from his crash in March while still not being back to his best The next wave of challengers saw French national champion in the discipline Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) unable to upset the time of Campenaerts Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was lighting up the road behind him and went quickest at the second time check by 2 seconds from Vauquelin when the terrain stopped going uphill and Healy got onto the downhill and flat run for the line he lost time quickly to the bigger riders and finished seven seconds down those vying for the GC got their efforts going and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease) was the first to impress setting the third best time at the first time check Evenepoel and Pogačar all got going at two-minute intervals and it was an aggressive start for all four all going into the green compared to Campenaerts’ benchmark time The best time at the first time check was taken by Roglič only for his former teammate Vingegaard to overtake him by nine seconds when he passed the point But Evenepoel began a supersonic pace and bettered even the Dane’s time by another 11 seconds with Pogačar looking equally as impressive only three seconds off the world champ Roglič had lost more time at the top of the hill in Curley Evenepoel then came over the timing point an incredible 23 seconds faster than the defending Tour de France champion with Pogačar only 10 seconds back on the leader Campenaerts was unseated by Roglič for the lead Vingegaard came through a few minutes later but he hadn’t been able to hold onto his lead on the Slovenian Evenepoel thought he had been the victim of the most untimely late puncture as he jumped his bike on the road searching for an issue it was just something he heard on the road and he was able to continue on and take his first Tour victory Pogačar looked as though he was closing as he reduced the gap from intermediate time check two by four seconds when he reached the third time check in Morey-Saint-Denis he simply couldn’t match the power of the World Champion and came across the line in a brilliant Results powered by FirstCycling during which time he also wrote for Eurosport Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s top riders in Chloé Dygert he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby See further analysis and top-scoring wines of the following areas: Northern Côte de Beaune 'HANG ON!' - Evenepoel has huge fright during time trial Switzerland and is a freelance buying/export consultant Following studies in French and English literature she changed career paths in 1998 when she left her teaching position to study wine at the Universit\u00e9 du Vin in Suze-la-Rousse in France\u2019s Rh\u00f4ne Valley.\u00a0Once she attained her diploma of Sommelier Conseil she moved back to the United States to work as a fine wine specialist at Christie\u2019s auction house in Beverly Hills where she continued her wine studies through the WSET.\u00a0In 2003 she returned to Europe and lived in London for 10 years spending seven of these as the wine buyer for Burgundy and\u00a0Bordeaux\u00a0specialist Goedhuis & Co Her greatest wine passions are\u00a0Burgundy,\u00a0Barolo,\u00a0Champagne She spends her free time planning her next travel adventure and learning Italian.\u00a0Robin Kick MW served as a Decanter World Wine Awards judge between 2015 and 2018 The Hospices de Nuits 2021 sale took place yesterday afternoon in the historical Château du Clos de Vougeot It has been described by organisers as ‘an absolute record year’ bringing in €1,923,000 (£1,652,017 / $2,294,434) from total sales an increase of more than 19% in comparison to 2020’s auction despite having nine fewer barrels to sell due to lower yields Despite the world’s current precarious situation buyers were aplenty with bidder registrations up by more than 20% from last year which was already a 50% increase from 2019 Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges auction room 2021 The auction saw two lots achieve record-breaking prices including €32,000 (£27,490 / $38,190) for one barrel of 1er Cru Les Saints-Georges Cuvée Georges Faiveley and €49,380 (£42,436 / $58,917) for the charity pièce comprised exclusively of the domaine’s 70-year-old vines from their 1er Cru Les Saints-Georges vineyard The auction’s 17 red wine cuvées raised €1,869,000 (£1,605,637 / $2,230,004) while two barrels of the only white wine cuvée Nuits-Saints-Georges 1er Cru Les Terres Blanches raised an impressive €54,000 (£46,390 / $64,430) One of the top purchasers was Maison Bichot who offer their clients the possibility of buying by the bottle But even managing director Albéric Bichot affirmed; ‘Some of these prices are just too high for our ‘buy-by-the- bottle’ programme They are really for another type of collector’ The ‘pièce de charité’ – 228 liters of Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Les Saint-Georges The 2020 vintage in Burgundy was the third in a row to experience hot and sunny weather but despite the challenging growing conditions describes the 2020 wines as ‘concentrated but fresh similar to the 2019s…but some go a step further in terms of quality and in the charity cuvée a prominent producer in the region and longstanding supporter of the sale commented that the auction really shifted when new auctioneer Hugues Cortot from Cortot & Associés in Dijon there were only around 50 people in the room but it felt much more animated than that.’ the effective yet entertaining ‘commissaire-priseur’ peppered much of the sale with light-hearted you do realise that if you would like to make it into the paper you need to buy at least 10 barrels.’ Proceeds from the sale will benefit Nuits-Saint-Georges’ new local hospital whilst the special charity cuvée will go to Institut Pasteur for Covid-19 variant research ambassador of the Institut Pasteur said; ‘I am particularly delighted and honoured to be the sponsor of the 60th Hospices Nuits-Saint-Georges charity wine auction in aid of a flu research programme being developed at the Institut Pasteur ‘The generosity displayed by the bidders in the raising of an incredible €49,380 makes so much sense because the work of Louis Pasteur I would like to thank you for your support; it’s by working together that we will take research further.’ Bordeaux native Yohan Castaing is a freelance journalist southwest France and Champagne houses for The Wine Advocate a guide to the wines of the Rh\u00f4ne Valley He also writes for wine publications including Gault&Millau and Jancis Robinson Castaing has held a variety of positions in the wine industry such as wine buyer and marketing director He was a wine marketing consultant and the author of several books about wine marketing and wine tourism before he became a full-time freelance wine journalist focusing on the industry and wine reviews Hail and heavy rain have caused at least some damage to several vineyards in Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits mostly in the communes of Prémeaux-Prissey and Nuits-St-Georges Violent storms with hailstones struck vineyards in the early afternoon of Tuesday 3 July, marking the latest episode of a recurring theme for Burgundy winemakers in the last few years ‘It is mainly the southern part of the appellation that is affected from the Prémeaux-Prissey region to south of Nuits-St-Georges,’ said Thibault Liger-Belair ‘There were no strong winds and the hailstones were medium,’ he added ‘We are about 40% affected on Nuits-St-Georges especially on the 1er Cru Les St-Georges.’ imposing significant stress on vines already affected by many outbreaks of mildew ‘We sprayed valerian on the vines [the estate is managed according to the principles of biodynamic cultivation] and we will return with chamomile and willow tomorrow,’ said Liger-Belair ‘It’s a bit like giving the vineyard a big hug after this stress.’ ‘It’s difficult to assess the damage at this stage,’ he said the domaine’s vineyard plots have developed ‘beautiful grapes and a little coulure’ Vine leaves can provide some protection from hail at this point in the growing season ‘If the hail has impacted 80% of the plots of St-Georges Vaucrains and Les Chênes Carteaux [as some initial estimates suggest] this risks reducing yields by 30% on those plots,’ said Gouges and we will wait until the berries are dry before going out to treat the vines with clay and then copper at the end of the week.’ Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin further to the north were not affected by this hailstorm A group of vintners from Burgundy's renowned Nuit Saint Georges appellation is applying to have its Les Saint Georges vineyard promoted from premier cru to grand cru status Liger-Belair…’Burgundy has evolved’ who owns more than 2ha of the 7ha vineyard is one of a team of producers preparing the application to France’s appellations authority The INAO now needs a ‘cahier de charges’ specifying terroir and soil characteristics harvesting methods and historical justifications for such a promotion INAO office manager Eric Vincent told Decanter.com that after detailed examinations of the terroir the application would be forwarded to INAO headquarters in Paris Les Saint Georges is one of 41 premiers crus of Nuits Saint Georges but has long been considered the very best terroir of the region who has teamed up with Gregory Gouges of Domaine Henri Gouges Erwan Faiveley of Domaine Faiveley and Philippe Chezeaux of Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux told Decanter.com the promotion would ‘repair a historical anomaly’ in that the original decision was taken in a specific economic and political environment He said Les Saint Georges could have been classified as grand cru but its candidacy was not submitted because the then owners wanted to avoid paying the higher taxes that grand cru vineyards were liable to Liger-Belair is ‘aware’ of doubts about the initiative including those of his cousin Louis Michel Liger-Belair who is president of Burgundy’s grand cru union and who runs Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair in Vosne Romanée is that such a promotion may lead to further promotions and open a Pandora’s Box Frederic Mugnier of Jacques Frederic Mugnier who owns Clos de la Marechale vineyard in Nuits Saint Georges said that the end result would be creating possibly a new ‘super grand cru classification for the original grands crus.’ But Thibault Liger-Belair does not share such concerns ‘Burgundy has evolved and nothing is fixed,’ he said ‘We must remember that the Cote de Nuits gets its name from Nuits Saint Georges.’ the Hospices de Nuits-St.-Georges auction sold 161 barrels of Burgundy's latest vintage This story was updated March 13 to reflect final auction results Burgundy's second most famous charity auction is grabbing a lot more attention these days the 62nd edition of the Hospices de Nuits-St.-Georges auction took place both online and at its usual location This is the fourth year in a row that the Hospices has opted for a modern format with a livestreamed auction—anyone with an internet connection can bid online or simply watch via a French auction website This year's auction raised a total of €3.6 million The average red wine barrel price was down slightly from last year’s of €22,482 but there were more barrels for sale after a larger harvest in 2022 The most expensive lot was a barrel of premier cru Les Saint-Georges Cuvée Georges Faiveley Domaine Faiveley's owners bought the barrel for €55,000 "We felt there was a need for a new dynamic and a good pace—it's not like art auctions where you need time to consider the artwork," said Aymeric de Clouet was brought in to revitalize the auction in 2020 The Hospices de Nuits-St.-Georges dates to the late 13th century and began as a home for lepers though the actual buildings have suffered destruction during wars and changed over time Wealthy families donated vineyard plots to support the medical facilities the current hospital opened and today it is a public health facility The construction was financed by the wine estate Today the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits-St.-Georges owns almost 29 acres with six village appellations and nine premiers crus the prestigious Nuits-St.-Georges Premier Cru "les Didiers," which was the first parcel harvested in 2022 The organizers auctioned 13 barrels from the monopole The wines are sold by the barrel—228 liters or about 288 bottles with a Burgundy wine merchant for the aging The cost of that service is in addition to the barrel price In addition to the fast-paced format and online access the organizers also introduced two new cuvées A first for this vintage is one barrel of Nuits-St.-Georges Premier Cru Les St.-Georges Vieilles Vignes cuvée "Hugues Perdrizet" an homage to the first donor to the Hospices This cuvée was made from a selection of the domaine's oldest vines It was bought for €40,000 by Albert Bichot The other recent introduction is the Charity pièce a single barrel called the Cuvée des Bienfaiteurs a nonprofit that helps vulnerable children with two programs in mind—one for animal therapy for children and teens This lot is sold differently than the others It is sold at the fixed price of €150 per bottle The wine will be held one year by the Hospices de Nuits-St.-Georges and delivered next year at the 63rd edition of the auction It is a blend of the estate's nine premiers crus the charity pièce was a different wine every year and I felt this was lacking in identity," said Clouet "I wanted to see the evolution [of the wine] every year Why not make a cuvée that reflects the domaine as an assemblage So we decided to blend the nine premiers crus." Since the changes implemented by Clouet and Cortot, the auction has gained momentum, though the event is still less famous than the Hospices de Beaune charity auction held each November The average price of a barrel of the red wine reached a high of €22,482 last year and in years when the volume is low and demand is high That was the case last year when the auction only had 109 barrels to sell and all of the wine went to wine merchants with prices hitting record highs for a sum of €2.49 million a 30 percent increase on the previous year for private clients who want a small quantity the organizers are hoping that a bountiful crop—158 barrels of red and 3 barrels of white will usher in the return of private buyers so we don't have the pressure," said Clouet "We hope we'll have a lot more private individuals buying this year." Want to get the latest news on collectible wines and the auction market? Sign up for Wine Spectator's free Collecting e-mail newsletter and get a new top-rated wine review, collecting Q&As and more, delivered straight to your inbox every other week! The owner of Stoller and Chehalem wineries was devoted to the future of Willamette Valley … Inside the first U.S. location of the French luxury retailer, guests can enjoy fine wine at … Phase one of the Viticulture and Winery Technology program’s new home, funded by a $10 … The Tuscan wine company has purchased a minority stake in Tenute delle Terre Nere; De … While the White House has paused tariffs on foreign wines at 10 percent for now, the trade … Vintners and guests at Italy’s premier spring tasting shared the belief that quality beats … For Burgundy The 2016 growing season was widely considered to be awful and the vines were still in a state of recovery The winter was cool and dry and – despite a particularly cold turn in January – without snowfall. By February and March, temperatures rose significantly prompting an early budburst. The warm weather continued to inspire rapid new vine growth, however the idyllic conditions were not to last. Late April saw a sharp drop in temperatures, which brought significant frost damage to both Chablis and the Côte d'Or the previous year's devastating frosts had significantly prepared producers and more preventative measures were already in place to minimize damage temperatures never sank low enough for frost to fully manifest and a bullet was Late May saw temperatures pick up again and a successful flowering ensued The summer was mostly warm and dry bar the occasional rain shower Many of the vines that had suffered badly in the previous year's frosts had gone into overdrive this year and were now Some producers chose to green harvest to counter this problem as too much fruit can result in a lack of concentration in the individual berries dry and steady with few days of searing heat and the harvest for whites began towards the end of the month The harvest for reds started early September and it was successfully brought in before heavy rains subsequently fell the wines were very good having benefited from one of the most consistent growing seasons in recent years The reds, in particular, had some roaring successes with many appellations delivering. Particular standouts include the wines from the Premier Cru appellation of Les Pruliers in Nuits-Saint-Georges The biggest criticism that can only perhaps be leveled at the 2017 reds was that some slightly lacked in concentration compared to previous years Although there were arguably few wines that definitively captured the vintage a wealth of good-quality wines from all over Burgundy were made serene riverbanks and misty hillsides dotted with ancient abbeys and castles its name is synonymous with great wine: the region’s world-famous dry reds can be traced back to 1375 and its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grow in beautiful abundance in the postcard-perfect valleys to this day Expert or fledgling wine lovers will be familiar with Bourgogne wines But now – in an age where sustainability is an increasingly pressing priority – the esteemed region continues to evolve from its centuries of rich history younger producers have risen to the helm of the estates embracing tradition while seeking innovative ways to maintain their worldwide customer base through eco-friendly practices conscious of its roots and looking to the future there is no better time to take a trip to Bourgogne and explore all that this breathtaking area has to offer And with sustainability at the forefront of the appellations Here are some of the region’s top wineries and domaines to explore on your next trip BIVB/Michel JolyDomaine Dufouleur FrèresLocated in the Unesco-listed Climats du Vignoble de Bourgogne this resplendent estate in Nuits-Saint-Georges is home to centuries of wine growing With tastings at the Oenothèque in the château’s grounds and a terrace with unrivalled views of the park you can fully immerse yourself in the region’s rich viticulture alongside cousins François-Xavier & Jean at the reins the estate is experiencing an important renaissance “It is not for nothing that our businesses are called Maisons de Vins (Wine Houses),” says François-Xavier “When our ancestor Symphorien Dufouleur decided to market his own wines in the 19th century it was only natural that he should welcome his customers into his home for dinner to discuss the qualities of the new vintages When you have been immersed in this atmosphere for generations welcoming customers into your home is second nature Wine has always been synonymous with sharing and conviviality and we are convinced that the richness of a good bottle goes far beyond its content and that it is up to us to offer our customers a privileged moment of exchange.” the Dufouleur family focuses as much on the park as the Château in which it majestically sits perfectly reflecting their commitment to preserving its biodiversity Address: 1 Rte de Dijon, 21700 Nuits-Saint-Georges, FranceWebsite: Domaine Dufouleur Frères BIVB/Sébastien NARBURUProsper MaufouxFor Côte de Beaune lovers this recently rebuilt winery offers the ultimate immersive experience this 1860-founded domaine has been a key player in developing Bourgogne wines and are certified HVE3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale) With a magnificent guest house including a heated swimming pool a classic Burgundian restaurant and beautiful bike paths along the Bourgogne Wine Route there is every reason to stop at Prosper Maufoux on your trip “Our family’s vision is to offer a total Bourgogne experience,” owners Eric and Aurélien Piffaut explain “The investment in the Château de Saint-Aubin has allowed us to add a prestigious vineyard and an exceptional brand-new winery to Maison Prosper Maufoux This project embodies our idea of authentic and contemporary hospitality on the Côte de Beaune Modern comfort and high-quality services are combined here in a home-like spirit This creates an intimate and truly friendly atmosphere for our guests from the tastings to the rooms and the restaurant.” Address: 3 Rue des Lavières, 21190 Saint-Aubin, FranceWebsite: Prosper Maufoux BIVB/Michel BaudoinDomaine de la LuolleThis beautiful estate in South Bourgogne’s Côte Chalonnaise is perfect for short or long stopovers: its picturesque gîte is perfect for a tucked-away weekend while its multisensory tours of the winery and tumbling vineyards will leave you enriched and inspired – particularly as Luolle’s wines are organic and biodynamic Offering a range of wines from Givry to Mercurey you’ll be spoiled for choice – especially the domaine’s signature artisanal sparkling Crémant de Bourgognes Asked about the balance between honouring tradition while maintaining climate-conscious and forward-thinking practices as newer players Olivier et Sandrine Dovergne noted: “We believe that being a winegrower by choice leads us to a more in-depth understanding of environmental issues We also initiated our first plantings of different grape varieties It’s a gamble on the future but a constructive one We don’t have the weight of family traditions that can lead to immobility.” Address: Imp. de la Luolle, 71390 Moroges, FranceWebsite: Domaine de la Luolle BIVB/Aurelien IbanezDomaine Alain MathiasRun by Carole and Bastien Mathias recent winners of the local Trophy of Young Winemakers this organic winery prides itself on working directly with its natural environment and produces some of the region’s most revered Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs the owners are heavily involved in all aspects of the winemaking process allowing them to sharpen their focus on biodiversity we contribute to preserving biodiversity,” says Carole “We do not seek to expand constantly and plant more and more vines and plots that can be planted when others are fallow We are now working a lot on plant-cover crops which allow us to encourage biodiversity while nourishing the soil and preserving moisture All this work requires time and observation which we feel is incompatible with mass production.” With a breathtaking cellar built on an old quarry Address: D944, 89700 Épineuil, FranceWebsite: Domaine Alain Mathias BIVB/armellephotographe.comDomaines des Vignes du MayneFor the history enthusiast the Domaine des Vignes du Mayne is a unique oenologist’s playground With the first vines planted in 900 AD and the first wine produced for the Abbey of Cluny a decade later you can step right into the old world while experiencing the domaine’s promising future first-hand With the grapes traditionally transported in carts owner Julien Guillot is carrying on the vineyard’s artisanal traditions through a biodynamic production process “In the 25 years that I have been working on our estate I have learnt so much from my parents and grandparents who had been organically cultivating our seven-hectare clos des vignes since 1954,” says Julien “I have personally run the estate biodynamically since 1998 and still use horses to work the soil We have also set up conservatories of old Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Gamay varieties (for example the Gamay à petits grains historically planted in the northern Mâconnais region) which will serve as nurseries for our future plantings.” Address: Rue des Moines, Sagy-le-Haut, 71260 Cruzille, FranceWebsite: Domaines des Vignes du Mayne With a landscape that is at once timeless and ever-changing, Bourgogne and its breathtaking domaines are must-visits for those who care about wine and are invested in its future. Early reports suggest that Burgundy 2018 could have all the makings of a legendary vintage The heat was problematic in that it did create unusually high sugar content and alcohol in the grapes which did in some instances cause an issue with stuck fermentations The whites tend to be rich and surprisingly fresh despite most having higher alcohol than normal The majority are best drunk young but some have the makings to age very well The reds also produced a range of wines suitable for both early drinking and laying down. The intense heat did cause some grapes to overripen, particularly Pinot Noir which sometimes made retaining acidity difficult causing a few producers to use acidification to bolster the wines despite many of the wines having a rich "sun-ripened" an element of freshness was still retained making for mostly complex Brilliant wines were made in both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, in particular the wines of Aloxe-Corton, Maranges, Morey, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle, Marsannay and Gevrey. Prices will vary but both reds and whites should offer some very good options for both early drinking and laying down. One last point worth noting about the Burgundy vintage is that climate change is now having a very obvious and tangible effect. Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor. Thanks for your patience. Ray Walker was happily employed as a financial adviser at Merrill Lynch in San Francisco until a gulp of wine coerced him into leaving for France to buy $140,000 worth of grapes with a dream to rival powerhouse Burgundy domaines such as Romanee-Conti and Corton-Andre. "My wife thought I was drunk," Walker, 29, says in the cool of his wine-making cavern beneath the celebrated slopes of the Cote d'Or town Nuits-Saint-Georges. "I'm a skinny black kid from Berkeley who'd never been to France," says Walker, siphoning his inaugural 2009 Maison Ilan Le Chambertin Grand Cru from an oak cask into a row of glasses. "What did I know about wine? On a good day back home, my beer-drinking mom and dad opened a bottle of Carlo Rossi." To make matters worse, Walker says, "I spoke only one word of French: oui." No longer. Some 19 months after first setting foot on Burgundy's 177 square miles of tightly knit vineyards known for making some of the most expensive wines in the world, Walker has emerged as something of a local hero: the first black American vintner to be embraced by the coterie of distributors and growers who rule 600 separate "appellation controlee" wines. And they reckon Walker's wine is pretty good, too. "Maison Ilan's 2009 vintage looks to be outstanding," says Peter Wasserman, president of Le Serbet, a Beaune-based consulting and distribution company that represents some 30 Burgundy domaines. "What Ray has accomplished is remarkable. It's like a kid learning how to drive with an F1 Ferrari and then having a good chance of winning his first race." Adds Benoit Goujon, managing director of Corton-Andre, "Ray understands the Burgundy way.... It's formidable to have him with us." After 18 months studying California vinification techniques in Napa Valley, Walker landed in Nuits-Saint-Georges with $25,000 in his pocket, a pregnant wife and two contentious notions: American wine is a step above alcoholic fruit juice, and Grand Cru French Bordeaux are overrated. "Merrill's clients raved about Bordeaux and, as the young guy in the firm, I thought it best to learn about the rich man's drink," Walker says. "I hated the stuff, but pressed on. My wife dragged me kicking and screaming to a Burgundy tasting. I fell in love with a bottle of 1999 Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Cazetiers and quit my job." Walker says he walked out on Merrill to reach his goal of making money by living in nature. "And that's what I experienced at the burgundy tasting in San Francisco," he says. "There it was, a singular product created by man from nature that remained natural. How the hell do they do that?" Walker says he intended to begin his new career experimenting with inexpensive Village red wine, eventually working his way up to Grands Crus, which can cost thousands of dollars a bottle. "It made sense," Walker says. "But it didn't work out as planned." Walker in May 2009 received word that a courtier was offering Grand Cru grapes from Charmes-Chambertin in Aux Charmes and Le Chambertin grapes from a high-altitude plot near Clos de Beze, along with a few barrels of Morey St. Denis Premier Cru Les Chaffots. Walker told the fruit seller he'd take them all. "I thought I'd get at most two barrels, but ended up with nearly eight barrels of Grand Cru and four barrels of Premier Cru grapes," Walker says. "It was crazy being offered this kind of fruit." Over at Corton-Andre, Goujon grins and says his new neighbor never really bought any grapes. "A big percentage of grapes go unsold, but you'll never know what the figure is because nobody sells grapes and nobody buys grapes," he says. "I buy grapes from many great vineyards, though they never sell them. This is French logic and it helps people like Ray." Wasserman tries to bring clarity to the confusion. "The top negociants don't want to be over-extended on Grand and Premier Cru wines," he says with a wink. As Walker tells it, the not-for-sale grapes he didn't buy to make the vintage now maturing in his casks cost him $140,000. He needed investors. "Some friends in the States chipped in at the last minute," Walker says of his angels. Nearly $400 of the investment purchased an 1855 first edition of "Histoire et Statistique de la Vigne des Grands Vins de la Cote d'Or," the first Burgundy-wine cook book written by Michel-Jules Lavalle. "I followed the original classical recipe," Walker says. "Nothing artificial because there wasn't anything artificial in 1855. Walker converted his one-car garage into a fermentation room and shunned the metal vats many Burgundy makers employ to make their wine. "I spent 3,000 euros ($3,900) on the same oak vats Domaine Romanee-Conti uses," Walker says. "They look like California hot tubs." Wine enthusiast Bjorn von Below, senior vice president of EFG Bank in Geneva, takes a skeptical barrel taste of Walker's efforts, which will soon fill 4,500 bottles and presell for $67 to $149 a bottle. "This is astonishing, a great investment, a perfect candidate for private equity," Von Below says. "Problem is the banks won't help someone with a vision and that's a mistake." Walker smiles. "Thank you," he says. "I'm not concerned with return right now." "But what will you do if Maison Ilan doesn't sell?" Von Below asks. "If nothing happens," Walker says, "I can drink it." Don't abandon Burgundy just yet — you only need to know where to look. Ethan Fixell has written about beer, wine, spirits, and coffee for over a decade. Formerly a beer director for New York City restaurants, he has also educated consumers at guided tastings for Astor Center, NYC Wine Company, Virtual With Us, and more. Expertise: beer, wine, spirits, and coffee. Experience: As a touring professional comedian, Ethan Fixell got his start in the beverage industry by writing a monthly column for Serious Eats called On The Beer Trail. From there, he went on to write for dozens of other publications, including Food & Wine, Tasting Table, Thrillist, Wine Enthusiast, Food Republic, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Men's Journal, Playboy, Saveur, Quartz, Travel + Leisure, Salon, VICE Munchies, and many more. Ethan later became the editor-in-chief of The Beer Necessities (a digital publication founded by Anheuser-Busch) and beer editor for About.com (now Dotdash). Ethan is a certified cicerone, certified specialist of wine, and certified specialist of spirits. a region that has been the home for his family for generations As good wine stories go the opportunity he had in 2017 to buy back the family’s estate from corporate ownership takes some beating It not only brought the Edouard Delaunay property and vineyards back into family ownership it was the inspiration and opportunity for Delaunay to go on and achieve his life ambition of making the best possible wines he could from the family’s land He was also able to combine it with the Château de Charmont property in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits which the Delaunay family purchased in the 1950’s Chateau de Charmont is now back in the Delaunay family fold But even he could not have dreamt of the success he and the property has had in the subsequent three and a bit years and winemaker Christophe Briotet have been able to produce have gone on to pick up some of the region’s and world’s most prestigious wine awards Includingpretty much a clean sweep at the IWC 2020 awards which saw the estate win 15 gold 30 silver and seven bronze medals as well as picking up eight trophies and International Pinot Noir Trophy – Briotet was also named IWC Red Winemaker of the Year Although clearly delighted to have made such an immediate impact Delaunay is also aware of his family’s long and strong connections to the region and is keen to do what he can to give as much back to the region as it has given him and his predecessors Which is why the Hospices de Nuits charity auction has such a personal significance to him and the Delaunay family Particularly his grandfather who was inextricably linked to the auction’s history being responsible for personally raising so much for the local hospital by being the exclusive distributor of the Hospice’s wine before the auction was established in 1961 Laurent Delaunay hopes to attract trade and private buyers from all over the world to take part in the Hospices de Nuits auction on March 12 It is a role that Delaunay is only too keen to continue now that he has the opportunity to do so “It is that very close relationship we have had with the Hospice de Nuits that we now want to promote,” explains Delaunay He certainly recognises the Hospices de Nuits auction lies in the shadow of the more famous and world renown Hospices de Beaune which even has the backing and support of auction house But there is no reason why the Hospice de Nuits auction cannot build its own unique reputation in the fine wine market both in the trade and with private customers and collectors Particularly as it has history on its side and was founded some 200 years ago before the Hospices de Beaune that come from its 12 and a half hectares of land and vineyards the Hospices de Nuits estate is one of the biggest owners of the Premier Cru Les St Georges the most iconic Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “So we have lot of assets in our favour,” says Delaunay The Hospices de Nuits charity auction is taking place both live and online this year for the first time due to covid The Hospices de Nuits auction takes place on March 14 and for the first time due to Covid restrictions will allow buyers and bidders to take part online from anywhere in the world It is a chance to potentially buy some of the most sought after en primeur wines in the region whilst raising money for the local hospital and retirement homes at the same time Buyers are able to bid for barrels of wine containing the equivalent of 24 cases of wine or 288 bottles Delaunay is looking to help his international distributors and their customers take part by giving them access to his selection of six cuvées from the auction that he believes offer the most potential and represent different appellations and terroirs (see below for more detail on each cuvée) He has worked with the Hospices to give him access to a certain volume of wine that he will then bid for on the behalf of any buyer that wants to take part – working to an agreed amount “Over the last two to three years we have been working with our distributors all over the world to draw their attention to this event and explain to them why it is so special,” he explains “We are now offering to take part in the auction for them Any wine they buy we will then handle all the transportation and administration to bring them into our winery where we will do all the maturing and bottling of wine in 12 to 18 months time.” He adds: “We have an optimum price that we will have agreed with our customers If the auction goes higher then we will reimburse our customers or they can bid for another wine.” To help distributors and customers better understand and know the wines they are bidding for Delaunay has been able to send them 5cl samples of each of the cuvées he is bidding for What’s more Delaunay will also provide buyers with their own personalised labels from the cuvees they buy Private and trade buyers who buy 24 bottles or more of one the six cuvées he has selected Delaunay will also bid for any other wines they might want from the other 18 cuvées in the auction providing they are willing to bid for a full barrel Laurent Delaunay wants to carry on his family tradition of being very closely linked to the Hospices de Nuits Ironically not being able to accept international visitors due to covid might actually help the Hospices de Nuits gain a bigger global audience as people and businesses can take part from wherever they are in the world “We hope the online auction will give it more of an international profile We think the wines certainly deserve it and there are many reasons to buy them.” Delaunay has been able to take advantage of his own international network of distributors with importers in 65 countries He says he has been delighted by the level of interest shown by them and their customers and has created his own bespoke website to help keep them informed and engaged with the whole process You can also bid for yourself in the auction by going to the specialist website, interencheres.com but here you will have to commit to buying a full barrel and then find a local partner and pay for the additional costs of having it aged “We are providing all of that as part of our inclusive offer,” adds Delaunay store and age the wine and then delivered the bottles direct to them.” Delaunay says there are other negotiants and producers who are offering similar services but is confident his overall auction package is the “ultimate” in what is available from the region Delaunay hopes to be buy up to 15 barrels at the 2021 Hospices de Nuits charity auction The speed in which Delaunay has been able to build up the amount of wine he has he been able to buy at the Hospices de Nuits illustrates just how fast his overall Burgundy has grown such has been the interest in his auction promotion he is looking to buy 10 to 15 barrels – a significant proportion of all the barrels available Delaunay is particularly excited about offering these wines to his customers as the 2020 vintage has so much potential “The weather was perfect up until the middle and end of July We had a very hot August which meant the vines suffered a little bit but despite the hot weather the wines In fact it is the freshness and acidity in the wines that are a real hallmark of the overall Hospice de Nuits region Wines that are both fresh but also rich in fruit with real depth to them “The first vintage I worked on was 1985 and this is probably one of two or three of the bestvintages I have seen since then The Hospices de Nuits have been perfectly made this year It is a very good year to be buying wines at the Hospices de Nuits auction.” Laurent Delaunay with his award winning winemaker Christophe Briotet at Wine Paris He says he could not be happier with how the Edouard Delaunay estate is developing and the awards and accolades it has received are all good for the confidence of the team “We are building our distribution everywhere we want to and I could not be more proud of my team and Christophe To win the awards – like the best International Pinot Noir Trophy – was incredible The comeback the Maison has had is seen as a true phenomenon and it hopefully gives confidence to our customers – so why not age your wines from the Hospices de Nuits with us.” This exceptional cru is widely known as producing very complex wines and this cuvée is produced from vines of 45 years of age on average It comes from a unique soil combination that includes rocky well-drained and a variety of Bathonian stones The length and complexity of this cuvée comes through in an agreeable It also has great cellaring potential.Vintage 2016: 2020 tasting notes by Laurent Delaunay: ***** A very beautiful black red colour The nose is still slightly closed but at the same time complex Find out more here: https://burgundyauction.wine/cuvees/sires-de-vergy/Location: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ksiTrH14zyan1sz1Z7gUOg7LnfDzm2Bv/view?usp=sharing the cuvée Cabet is made from vines about 40 years old and yet its character is still that of an almost young vine – a succulent wine offering a broad aromatic palette of spices underpinned by the age of the vines and the parcel 2020 tasting notes by Laurent Delaunay: ****++ A nose on blue fruit (blueberry The palate presents a superb attack and a very nice balance the wine also reveals woody and velvety notes Find our more here: https://burgundyauction.wine/cuvees/cabet/ Location: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AJ-5im_RRmAjsO9bUHekmao2D0mb7vEn/view?usp=sharing in 2019 Les Porrets-Saint-Georges has given us an exceptional wine containing all the elements of a cuvée of tremendous longevity and complexity have ensured harmonious growth in the vines This vintage is an archetypal Nuits-Saint-Georges premier cru because of its richness and its power 2020 tasting notes by Laurent Delaunay: **** A dark red color Find out more here: https://burgundyauction.wine/cuvees/antide-midan/ Location: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11pUk39nWjCcc6kaE2NbGNlyJRaa9LlWv/view?usp=sharing On soil typical of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation It is the most delicate of the southern crus its colour is a typical Burgundy ruby red and it remains refined in its strength This vintage is already very expressive in tastings.Vintage 1999: 2020 tasting notes by Laurent Delaunay: ****+ A pretty deep red color Find our more here: https://burgundyauction.wine/cuvees/saint-laurent/ Location:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dsEuX9jZ0RpPLxEmRoEw-FgUafepaLvl/view?usp=sharing The only exception to the ensemble of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines present here this famous Gevrey-Chambertin parcel is often mistakenly presented as a premier cru but this confusion is because it is of such high quality In fact it is located just under Les Charmes The wine expresses itself fully this year with an intense colour 2020 tasting notes by Laurent Delaunay: **** this wine presents a very beautiful substance and a length in mouth already well developed Find out more here:https://burgundyauction.wine/cuvees/irene-noblet/ Location: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u8a3AXjJw5L4wea3c4NvbXI3oRxVbF9i/view?usp=sharing despite coming from the southern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges this year it offers us a little more power which makes it even more charming 2020 tasting notes by Laurent Delaunay: **** Beautiful dark red color An elegant palate where notes of fruit and a nice woodiness blend Find our more at: https://burgundyauction.wine/fr/cuvees/grangier/ Location:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOKd2GvUw1zM6-Fbgbc4xKPPjAF7L6CJ/view?usp=sharing The Buyer TVClick below to watch The Buyer's library of online debates, videos and webinars. Camus Wines & Spirits will introduce the Marcel Amance range at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes (Stand number: Blue Village F11) Marcel Amance was the property of the Maufoux family whose successive generations from 1860 onwards are said to have dedicated themselves to producing fine Burgundy wines comes from the appellation Close de Vougeot the internationally renowned Cote de Nuits vineyards It has won a gold medal at the Citadelles du vin France 2012 “This wine has deep raspberry robe,” Camus Wines & Spirits stated it offers exceptionally aromatic intensity with a combination of fruit (cherries and blackberries) the wine is full-bodied and fleshy with well-defined and elegant tannins and a beautiful acidity while the body and structure are complemented by the wonderful length of the finish but with a superb future,” the company added Also on display will be Nuits-Saint-Georges which has won a silver medal at the IWSC 2012 comes from the village appellation Nuits-Saint-Georges “This wine has a magnificent ruby robe with purple highlights,” Camus described “The intense and subtle nose is dominated by red fruit notes (strawberry and blackcurrant) with red fruit flavours and delightful spicy notes The finish is long and intensely aromatic.” 100% Chardonnay – a gold medal winner at the Concours mondial de Bruxelles 2012 – is intensely yellow with hints of green powerful and well-balanced with touches of citrus,” Camus said which scooped a silver medal at the IWSC 2012 comes from the regional appellation Côte d’Or vineyards This wine presents an intense ruby red colour with purple highlights “The nose is elegant and dominated by small red fruits with a subtle hint of oak the powerful attack gives way to rounded fleshiness The finish is long and full of fruit,” the company added Camus Wines & Spirits Marketing Manager Josselin De Gesincourt commented: “The demand for premium quality wines through airport retail continues to grow year on year so we are confident that the Marcel Amance range will prove a successful addition to the range we currently have on offer.” For trade enquiries, contact Josselin De Gesincourt, Marketing Manager, Camus Wines & Spirits. Tel: +33 (0)5 45 32 71 80. E-mail: j.de-gesincourt@camus.fr Subscribe to our newsletter for critical marketing information delivered to your inbox The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to present the results of the inaugural TREX Awards A trailblazing celebration of the finest travel retail-exclusive products and other initiatives the TREX Awards recognise the critical need for differentiation within travel retail shining a spotlight on innovations that deliver unique value to travellers is relaunching its annual whisky festival under the name Whisky Social Club 1 is the inaugural release in a collection of limited-edition single malts that celebrate the pioneering spirit of James ‘The Major’ Grant Copyright © The Moodie Davitt Report | Website by Yellowball We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website Please click on one of the buttons below to accept We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " and include a number of large-format Grand Cru library vintages and is said to have left domaine owner Régis Forey ‘heartbroken’ Now importers of Forey wines – including UK-based Georges Barbier and L’Imperatrice in Hong Kong – hope that people in the wine trade will look out for the stolen bottles and report anything suspicious to the authorities including large quantities of 2017 Forey wines from Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Gaudichots Echezeaux Grand Cru and Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru The thieves also took examples of Forey’s Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Petits Monts Nuits-Saint-Georges Premiers Crus Les Saint-Georges and Les Perrières as well as village wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanée Describing the theft as ‘devastating’ in an Instagram post, L’Imperatrice said: ‘For Régis Forey, the detrimental event was heartbreaking – the stolen bottles were of the rarest of the estate, including many jeroboams of museum Grands Crus and hundreds of normal-size current release Grands Crus. ‘In addition to the economic damage, the cost included the work that went into making these wines, along the vision and the patience to cellar them for over 20 years.’ Georges Barbier said he understood that the theft was just the latest of a spate of similar recent incidents in the Burgundy region. Domaine Forey has been contacted for comment on the theft. The missing wines, list supplied by L’Imperatrice: Be one of the first to try our new activity feed! Tap “Home” to explore. An undulating race against the clock offers time gains to TT specialists. After stages suited to the climbers and the sprinters in the peloton, stage 7 throws a bone to the TT specialists in the bunch. There will of course be overlap with the GC contenders, who will also aim for the stage win. The 25.3km course includes one climb, summiting just after the halfway mark. The big gears will be engaged from that point on; a descent follows before approximately 7km of flat roads to the finish, with speeds high in search of any possible time gains. The view of Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme: “Great wines for great riders! But before venturing into the heart of the vineyards, the time trial specialists will spend almost two-thirds of this time trial on forest roads. The climb of the Côte de Curtil-Vergy (1.6km at 6.1 percent), which comes in the final section, will test their tolerance to pain. On the face of it, there shouldn’t be any big gaps between the best riders, but who knows?” FranceChevron DijonChevron  AVP France/GettySave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links Only an hour and a half train ride from Paris is the capital of Burgundy: Dijon. The historic city is witnessing a major culinary renaissance and growing beyond its eponymous table condiment.  Much more petite than Paris most of Dijon’s action is in its car-free and pedestrian-friendly city center—which means you can eat and drink local delicacies then do plenty of walking and sightseeing to make room for more gastronomic delights Whether you tack on a few days after the City of Lights or take it easy with a Burgundy-based holiday All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors Tasting at Louis Bouillot La Verrière in Nuits-Saint-Georges test your skills at the Iron Chef-style video game splurge on glorious French-made kitchenware for souvenirs toast with a tipple at the rooftop experimental bar choose from over 250 wines on tap to sample feast your eyes on giant pastry sculptures (a kid-approved exhibit!) The workout to the top of Phillip the Good’s tower is worth it for 360-degrees views of Dijon and Standouts include the giant muffins in the morning pâté en croûte (meat pie) for lunch—chef Nicholas De Linage plays on this old-fashioned French classic with wildly imaginative ingredients; ham and octopus Run by France’s youngest Michelin-starred chef (at only 22 years old; “The guy’s on another level of cooking like a true savant,” explains chef De Linage) this fine-dining restaurant rolls out 30 courses to create a masterful symphony of flavors that will leave you blissed out perhaps even in tears of awe—no dramatic hyperbole here—by such gastronomic genius who trained under some of the country’s most notable chefs and was recently awarded a Michelin star of his own and marvel at the fact you’re at one of the only legit tiki bars in all of France The looming Palace of the Dukes contrasted by the dancing fountain light show is a spectacular scene to capture but stay within the city center to maximize your time Rest assured; these hotels will plunk in you in the heart of the action Their Burgundian wine tasting classes are not only fun but also downright sexy—the hotel’s wine cave looks like Batman’s lair and stone’s throw-proximity to Place de la Liberation Vertigo offers guests complimentary electric BMW cars to use—first come up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Jacques Devauges has been appointed as technical director at Domaine de l'Arlot in Nuits-Saint-Georges Devauges replaces Olivier Leriche who is leaving Domaine de l’Arlot to run his own estate in the Ardeche Jacques Devauges has previously worked at Domaine de la Vougeraie and more recently at Maison Frédéric Magnien and Domaine Michel Magnien in Morey Saint-Denis after studying Oenology at Burgundy University said: ‘It has been a pleasure working with Olivier at l’Arlot over the past few years and we all wish him well in his new personal venture.’ ‘I am delighted that we have found in Jacques Devauges someone perfectly qualified to take the responsibility of looking after this wonderful property.’ The best of the wines are rich and concentrated but some vineyards suffered from rot Spring saw appaling weather conditions: temperatures were low and rain fell heavily hailstorms in May: Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny were particularly affected dry June saw a good flowering and the sunny conditions continued throughout July and much of August Heavy rainfall and little sunshine at the end of that month and through to mid-September adversely affected the ripening process and brought on rot; and the harvest took place in changeable weather so certainly more consistent in the Côte de Beaune Yet the great wines are in the Côte de Nuits In all the wines the structure is to the fore and in many cases there is nothing within the scaffolding Last Updated on 1st March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau and close to plenty of small villages that lie far off the beaten tourist track no doubt you’ll have heard of Nuits-Saint-Georges if you’re a wine drinker And for those who are looking for the activities beyond the vin here’s your complete guide to the best things to do in Nuits-Saint-George Now home to a population of around five and a half thousand residents the area surrounding Nuits-Saint-Georges has been inhabited since Gallo-Roman times grapes would have been grown in the rich and fertile soil so as to create wines which would then be utilised throughout Roman Gaul and beyond the area owes much of its wine growing success thanks to the enterprising of Cistercian monks in the region the monks went on to shape the vineyards of Burgundy as we know them today hospitals in the area (such as that of Beaune) hold annual wine auctions with the profits going towards charitable causes So iconic was the wine from Cotes de Nuits, that the Sun King, AKA Louis XIV who transformed the Versailles Palace into the monumental structure as we know it today was even recommended the wine from Nuits-St-George for its ‘medicinal’ qualities If you’ve spent any time reading about the Route des Grands Crus a UNESCO world heritage wine route that snakes its way through the Burgundy countryside then you’ll know that Nuits-St-Georges is one of the most important stops en route Passing through the Côtes de Nuits vineyards that surround the town of the same name the route encompasses over thirty villages between Dijon and Beaune and then on to Santenay What makes the wines of Burgundy (or Bourgogne as it is so-called in French) so special are the ‘climats,’ which is incidentally a term unique to the French region of Burgundy itself These ‘climats’ are small plots of land that are separated by dry stone walls Usually marked by a simple cross or set of imposing gates each of these areas is owned by different viticulturists These mini microclimates each produce their own special variety of wine in an area that’s been carefully designated over the centuries the most famous of all the vineyards close to Nuits-St-Georges is that of Romanée-Conti which produces the most expensive wine in the world be sure to be on the lookout for the Cabotes small limestone buildings that house vine growing tools and provide shade from the relentless sun One of the other interesting thing to note about visiting Burgundy is that the vineyards change dramatically in colour and shape throughout the year due to their foliage (or lack thereof) While the vines are a vibrant green in the summer they transform into golden hues in the autumn and are completely barren in the winter This means that no two visits to Nuits-St-Georges will ever be the same the bread and butter of tourism in Nuits-St-Georges comes in the form of the plethora of wine tasting experiences to be had in and around the town Whether it’s heading to a local vineyard or making the half-hour walk to Vosne-Romanée this area is absolutely full of L’œnotourisme (wine tourism) opportunities The town’s museum is free to visit thanks to the town’s philosophy that history and museums should be accessible to all and telling the history of the town’s past as well as that of the wider Burgundy region you can easily while away several hours wandering around this cultural space next door you’ll find the town’s library Close to the tourist office and in a corner of the main town square the rather impressive belfry in the heart of the village and was built in 1610 Comprised of two storeys and complete with a cellar the belfry has been listed as a historic monument since1947 Now surrounded by a predominantly pedestrianised area the bell tower has since become a symbol of the town Cassis is the French word for ‘blackcurrant’ and is the primary ingredient for Crème de Cassis an alcoholic liqueur that’s famously produced in the region While you can always sip on a kir (a French cocktail made of wine and cassis) in any of the town’s bars to get to know more about the history of the drink and sample some for yourself Located close to the train station, a kilometre or so away from the town centre, Cassis products (only liquids; alcoholic beverages and fruits syrups) have been produced at the Cassissium since 1923 providing another insight into the blackcurrant world the chance to tour the factory with a guide According to a passage of writing attributed to St Benignus of Dijon, Saint-Symphorian was a Christian saint who was converted to the faith by St Benignus (whose tomb can now be visited in Dijon) Dating all the way back to the 13th-century the church of Saint Symphorien itself is the beautiful blend of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles that are so synonymous with the region Highlights of this structure include a sheltered porch from the 17th-century and a rather rare example of a wooden lectern that’s survived from the 15th-century Head to the nearby square just off Rue Charmottes in the springtime and it’s here where you’ll find some of the more beautiful cherry blossoms that Nuits-St-Georges has to offer the pretty village of Vosne-Romanée is dedicated almost entirely to wine the village may only have a population of just a few hundred but is still most definitely a visit Home to many wine houses that date all the way back to the 16th-century wander down a back street out of the village and you’ll soon stumble upon the one and only vineyard of Romanée-Conti The vineyard is famed for selling the most expensive wine in the world with a single bottle selling for up to around $10,000 each While the town can obviously be visited as a destination in its own right, if you’re short on time then you might consider a visit to Nuits St Georges as a day trip from Dijon or the wine city of Beaune Both cities are less than half an hour away and trains stop on a regular basis throughout the day and well into the evening. If you’re looking to learn a little more about wine prior to your visit, then I recommend purchasing a book like this one Though it’s not absolutely necessary to know anything about vin before visiting Bourgogne a little knowledge will certainly help you understand your preferences when selecting where you should go wine tasting and what you should purchase if you want to leave the logistics to someone else then a guided tour may well be the thing to go for The best time to visit the town, much like other Burgundy towns is undoubtedly in the summer months when everything is actually open and the vines are covered in leaves thus making them infinitely more attractive If you’re looking for a stress-free way to enjoy the vines, then I recommend booking an overnight stay in the town so as to enjoy the ambience and the atmosphere that Nuits-St-Georges has to offer. You can find the best accommodation prices here. the population of Nuits-Saint-Georges was 5,552 Those visiting Nuits-Saint-Georges on a budget will be pleased to know that there are a number of low cost activities and attractions on offer Some of the best free things to do in Nuits St Georges include strolling through the nearby lanes that meander their way through vineyards the tiny size of the town and the fact that it can easily be explored on foot means that you only need around a day to see everything that this Burgundy town has to offer The tourist areas of Nuits St Georges are generally as safe as most other destinations in Europe Visitors should be especially wary of pickpockets (pickpockets operate all over Europe and so you should always keep your things close Never leave your valuables lying around or attended. I personally recommend always wearing a crossbody bag like these ones. Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I started this site back in 2015 with one mission in mind: I wanted to create useful travel guides with a historical and cultural focus Today it has blossomed into my full time job and together with a small team of writers (including my husband and sister) we craft articles to help you travel better throughout Europe © 2015- 2025 Sophie Nadeau. Nadeau Pasquier LTD. All Rights Reserved. solosophie participates in various affiliate marketing programs. solosophie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy For fans of French cocktails, the drink ‘kir’ is a tipple you’ve likely sipped on before. Created by mixing white wine (or sometimes sparkling champagne) with Crème de cassis, Kir is said to have originated in the Burgundy region. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there’s no shortage of Crème de Cassis manufacturers in Bourgogne, including that of Le Cassissium in Nuits-Saint-Georges Cassis is the French word for ‘blackcurrant’ by any account, all about the world of blackcurrants From the plants growing within the visitor area to the aromas that are ever-wafting from the factory floor what started out as a production plant has since also developed into a side tourist business that draws everyone in from the passerby to the liqueur connoisseur There’s been a factory on site since 1923 Cassisum has produced a variety of products Though Crème de Cassis is the reigning speciality cordials and other liqueurs are also on the menu Some of the more interesting facts we learned about during the tour included that there are a staggering 50+ varieties of blackcurrant Cassis related products are produced in the factory throughout the year thanks to the berries being cooled to -35 degrees Celsius almost as soon as they’ve been picked with various byproducts going on to be used as fertiliser In 2001, a museum was established by the company Védrenne for the purpose of educating the public all about this tiny berry, among other things the museum and interactive tour explores many aspects of Cassis Nuits Saint Georges is a pretty town populated by cobbled lanes, several churches, and surrounded by vineyards. Best-known as being a major stop-off on the Route des Grands Crus, this French settlement is an easy day trip from the nearby wine city of Beaune or the mustard city of Dijon and lies somewhere on the train line Le Cassissium itself is just a five-minute walk from the train station meaning that the factory is a good few kilometres away from the endless vineyards that are so synonymous with the Burgundy region the factory/ museum/ tasting site is easy to reach on foot and the site is open to visitors from Tuesday through to Saturday Tours of Le Cassissium are suitable for all ages and on the tour I went on plenty of young families came along with their children (who were more than happy to sample all of the non-alcoholic syrups at the end!) A full price ticket is €10,50 though concession rates are less I personally found this price to be quite fair as a ticket included a museum visit While the movie is a set length of around twenty minutes and you’re free to leave the tastings prior to everyone finishing their drinks (the tastings are very laid back) you’ll need to set aside at least two hours of your time to visit the museum with the exception of the guided tour of the factory by our knowledgeable guide the tastings were the best part of Le Cassissium As well as traditional drinks such as Crème de Cassis and the ever-so-smooth Super Cassis other modern variants of the drink included rose we soon grew to learn that to tell if a Crème de Cassis is good or not you have to swirl the glass and see if the liquid sticks to the sides The more the amount of pectin from the blackcurrant in the final alcoholic beverage SuperCassis (an extra special Crème de Cassis) actually has double the amount of blackcurrants than the regular drink there’s a shop selling all the different kinds of liqueurs and cordials at the end of the visit Though the prices seemed a little more than I’ve seen them elsewhere, had it not been for my already stuffed luggage, I would have totally been tempted to purchase a bottle of the Super Cassis (it was just that delicious!)… For even more inspiration, be sure to check out our Kir Royale cocktail recipe.