As the candle wicks come close to expiration, the weight of anticipation is palpable in the Hôtel-Dieu. Bang! The auctioneers’ hammer comes swinging down and the final Domaine des Hospices’ wine is sold. Delight from one corner of the room, despair from another. Les Trois Glorieuses Festival is in full swing. Welcome to the oldest and most revered wine auction in the world.

In the small town of Beaune, on the third weekend of November each year, thousands descend from all corners of the globe to participate in Les Trois Glorieuses (Three Glorious Days).  Noted as ‘the wine capital of Burgundy’, the crowning jewel of the festivities is the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction. The illustrious event is held in the Hôtel-Dieu, a 15^th Century hospice famed for its extravagantly tiled roof. The auction takes place on the Sunday with 50 wines being sold to esteemed international buyers in an effort to raise money for charity. Wines such as the ‘Hill of Corton’ can fetch up to €800,000, thus raising approximately €15 million per year for the charitable causes of choice. Given its notoriety, the auction often acts as a barometer for the prestigious global wine markets. A necessity, therefore, for anyone seeking to make their mark on the upcoming season of vino purchasing.

The Hôtel-Dieu was originally founded in 1443 by the married couple Nicolas Rolin and Guigone de Salins, as a hospital for the poor in Burgundy. The charity wine auction emerged in 1859 in an effort maximise the revenue of the hospital. Arranged annually ever since, the auction used to be held under candlelight with the sale going to the final bidder before two burning candles had melted away. This tradition lives on only now for the bidding of the Pièce de Charité (charity barrel), the most distinguished wine of the auction. The Domaine des Hospices de Beaune has seen a steady growth of vineyard land currently totalling at 150 acres, much of which is classified as Grand and Premier cru.

The auction is sandwiched between two prestigious events. These make up Les Trois Glorieuses and provide a masterclass of Burgundy culture.

Held on the Saturday night, guests are invited to attend the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin banquet. Located in the middle of Burgundy’s most famous vineyards at the Clos de Vougeot, guests can expect an evening of raucousness and jollity. A dress code of tenue de soireé is strictly adhered to, and for some, this is the social highlight of the weekend. The gastronomic concoction of luxury Burgundian ingredients and the choice of exquisite local wines will prove inspiring for even the worldliest epicurean. Dancing and singing are part of the cultural immersion with all guests enthusiastically encouraged to join in with the festivities.

The grand finale of the three glorious days is an extravagant lunch known as La Paulée de Meursault which is entertained from noon on the Monday. Traditionally, it is the Burgundian celebration held at the end of the grape harvest. Situated in the breath-taking Château de Meursault, guests bring their own wine, fostering friendly competition in an effort to out-do one another. With fine wine and delightful cuisine on offer, the event certainly captures the regions’ joie de vivre. Some title it ‘the world’s most exclusive BYOB party’, but do not be fooled, with thousands of people vying for places each year, it is certainly not a party you want to miss.

Throughout the weekend, the traditional festival animates the medieval streets of Beaune, providing a lovely way to get a feel for the town and the wider festivities of the region. Plenty of public wine tastings are on offer with the chance to try some younger wines that haven’t quite reached full maturity. Equally, for the more active, there is the annual half marathon of the Vente des Vins that takes place, often attracting swaths of supporters throughout the designated route.

Accommodation is notoriously hard to come by during Les Trois Glorieuses given its immense popularity and prestige. Located at the heart of the town, however, is the L’Hôtel de Beaune, the sought-after hotel in the region. With its rustic charm and luxurious rooms, coupled with a short walk to the town’s Michelin Star Restaurant Le Benaton, the hotel can cater to your every need.

The illustrious trilogy set within three glorious days is every oenophile’s dream. From the excitement of the auction to the merriment of the delectable meals, the festival will not let you down. Les Trois Glorieuses is an unforgettable experience matched with indelible company, and of course, a drop of delicious wine in between.