The house of Albert Bichot in France is the biggesat buyer at this year's auction of the Hospices de Beaune. Compared to last year, prices at the traditional auction were down significantly.

According to a statement issued by the company, the Albert Bichot merchant house was the leading buyer at the 148th auction of the Hospices de Beaune held on the 16th of November. This represents a continuation of the strategy pursued by Bichot for several years now. However, generally speaking prices were down, both because the vintage is considered to be a difficult one, and on the other hand such a softening of prices (down by 31 per cent for red wines) was no surprise after the price increases in the previous year).

Bichot purchased 67 of the total of 544 barrels on offer. The total amount of wine for sale on auction was also down siginificantly on recent years, with 607 respectively 680 barrels on offer then. (WF)