France - wine auction

Tour d'argent raises 1.5 million euros in wine auction

Article published on the 2009-12-09 Latest update 2009-12-09 14:59 TU

Bordeaux's top-classed wine - the big five grands crus
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An auction of wines from cellar of the world-famous Parisian restaurant the Tour d'argent raised more than 50 per cent more than its target, netting over 1.5 million euros.

Organisers Piasa announced on Wednesday that the much-anticipated auction of 18,000 bottles, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, raised a total of 1,542,767 euros.

A 221-year-old bottle of Cognac brandy, Le Clos du Griffier fine champagne, went for 25,000 euros. It was sold to a French citizen who lives in London. The proceeds will go to a charity for seriously ill children.

Burgundy scored well in the price league. Six bottles of Vosne Romanée 1988 Henri Jayer raised 5,100 euros, nearly twice the estimated price of 2,750 euros.

Many bottles from the northern Loire region, which is usually regarded as less prestigious than Burgundy or Bordeaux, raised at least twice their estimated price. Two bottles of a 1919 Vouvray sweet white wine fetched 600 euros, compared to an expected 280 euros.