More than 2300 bottles of fine Burgundy wine have been donated to charity auction for Japan

Burgundians love Japan and appreciate Japanese culture. Deeply moved by the triple catastrophe which hit Japan on 11 March, they have come forward in large numbers to donate their wines for an auction to be held shortly in aid of the Japanese Red Cross. 

A huge, spontaneous and collective outburst of generosity.

Since 11 March 2011, a large number of Burgundy wine estates, caves cooperatives and wine merchants have come together to support the Japanese people affected by this natural disaster. Spontaneously, many of them have contacted the Bourgogne Solidarité Japon initiative, launched by the association Mosaïque Bourgogne International, and have donated their wines towards a wine auction, the proceeds of which will go to the Japanese Red Cross.

After two weeks, 2,368 bottles of Burgundy wine have been donated by over 280 wine companies from right across the vineyard. These include lots of 75 cl bottles, as well as Magnums, Jeroboams, and even a few Methuselahs and Salmanazars.

All Burgundy’s appellations are represented, from Regionals to Grands Crus, by way of Villages and Premiers Crus. But certain names will undoubtedly excite potential buyers: a few Chambertin wines, including a 1988 and a 1999, some Corton-Charlemagne, a Jeroboam of Clos de la Roche 2002, a Romanée Conti 1971, several Bâtard-Montrachet wines, and more…

While many of the wines on offer are from the fine vintages of the 2000s, a few older bottles are truly exceptional (Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 1962, Bonne Marre 1973, Magnums of Chambertins Grand Cru 1947, for example). The auction catalogue, currently being drawn up, should attract plenty of connoisseurs and well-informed wine lovers.

This outburst of solidarity, arising from the initiative of the association Mosaïque Bourgogne International, has been enriched by the active participation of the entire Burgundy wine industry (see list and presentation below). It reflects the deep affection Burgundy has held for Japan and the Japanese people for many years.

See the full list of donors at: www.bourgogne-solidarite-japon.com 

The bearer of the project
The association Mosaïque Bourgogne International, founded in 2010 on the initiative of wine-growers and wine lovers, aims to promote Burgundy’s assets, its unique and universal land, history and heritage, through cultural, professional and educational exchanges with other regions across the world.
Its first mobilisation on the occasion of the earthquake in Christchurch (New Zealand) in February, demonstrated one of Burgundy’s cultural strengths: the solidarity and friendliness of the Burgundy people.

The partners of the operation
Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB), Beaune
Transport J.F. Hillebrand, Beaune
Christie's France SNC, with the support of the international department of wine, Paris
The communication and publication agency Ecrivin, Beaune
The Studio Culturevin, image and communication, Lyon
Fédération des Négociants-Eleveurs de Grande Bourgogne(FNEB), Beaune
Confédération des Appellations et Vignerons de Bourgogne(CAVB), Beaune
All those who have some attachment to the project, Japanese living in Burgundy, those closely linked economically or culturally to Japan in Burgundy.

April 2011