If you have a spare 6 or seven million to spare and want to do more than just cellar a few bottles then here is your chance to own a top Bordeaux vineyard.
Chateau Badette is an eight-hectare property which makes grand cru Saint-Emilion wines and is being sold at auction with a starting price of 3.7 million euros ($5.45 million), according to an email from the office of the notary handling the sale, Francois Coutant. The auction will take place at the town hall in Saint-Emilion on Jan. 23.
The auction will be conducted in traditional manner 'a la bougie' (literally, 'by candle') at the Mairie de St-Emilion. A candle is lit to mark the beginning of the sale and replaced by others during the bidding. The extinction of two candles without further offer announces the last and successful bidder.
According to experts, tje wines to date have been of mediocre quality but the clay-limestone soils offer the potential for improvement. Neighbouring estates include Clos de Sarpe and grand cru classé Château Haut Sarpe.
If you prefer to stick to buying a few bottles, here is a list of coming European wine auctions:
Jan. 16: Sotheby's, London (New Bond Street).
Jan. 21: Christie's, London (South Kensington).
Jan. 23: Chateau Badette vineyard auction, Saint-Emilion.
Feb. 14: Christie's, London (King Street).
Feb. 20: Sotheby's, London (New Bond Street).
Tags: Bordeaux, France, Wine, Travel Tourism
