History of the Hospices de Beaune: Wines, Estates, and Donors (French Edition) By J.-T. Sweeney & M.-T. Berthier

The book History of the Hospices de Beaune : Wines, estates and donors of John-Thomas Sweeney and Marie-Thérèse Berthier traces for the first time the extraordinary destiny of a unique institution in the world.
Founded in the 15th century, the Hospices de Beaune emerging from the Middle Ages like a architectural and hospitable jewel, symbol of charity, faith, and solidarity. At the same time hospital, , historic monument and vineyard, they are today one of the pillars of the Cultural and wine heritage of Burgundy.

Defying the Epidemics, the wars and the crises, the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune has survived through the centuries thanks to the generosity of its benefactors. Their donations — in lands, vineyards, properties, and rents — have allowed for the gradual establishment of the wine estate of the Hospices de Beaune, today world-famous for its annual auction, organized every third Sunday of November. This event attracts wine enthusiasts and professionals from around the world, united under the Star of Charity.

The book immerses the reader in more than half a millennium of history :

• The Wealth formation Hospital, from the first medieval donations to post-revolutionary acquisitions.

• The Evolution of the wine industry, of the salt annuities up to the Great wines of Burgundy.

• The traceability of plots, meticulously studied, revealing the origin and continuity of a exceptional vineyard.

• The fundamental role of the donors, figures of local history, who have contributed to the rise and sustainability of this humanist work.

Thanks to a rigorous historical research, this book reveals an unprecedented collection of carefully preserved archives. The authors decipher the management mechanisms, the hospital missions, the site architecture, as well as the links between charity and viticulture.
Each chapter sheds light on a part of this collective adventure: from the construction of the Hôtel-Dieu to the birth of the Hospices wine estate, including the modernization of care and the evolution of oenological practices.

The book captivates both the history enthusiasts that the wine enthusiasts and of Burgundy. It highlights the exemplary continuity an institution that has managed to combine Humanism, , Innovation and wine growing tradition.

An erudite work, beautifully documented, that celebrates the Beaune memory, the richness of its land and the legacy of charity in the service of progress and science.

🟪 Book features

• Full title : History of the Hospices de Beaune : Wines, estates and donors

• Authors John-Thomas Sweeney & Marie-Thérèse Berthier

• Editor : Guy Trédanie

• Publication date October 12, 2012

• Format : Paperback

• Number of pages : 460

• Dimensions : 24 x 16 x 3.7 cm

• Weight : 827 g

• Language : French

• EAN13 : 9782813204998

• ISBN : 978-2-8132-0499-8