Asian buyers of fine wine outnumbered those from the US by nearly three to one, a record, at one of the world’s most prestigious annual wine auctions hosted by Christie’s last weekend.

At the 151th Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction in Burgundy, which raised €5.4 million ($7.3 million) including the premium, Asian buyers contributed a record 13 per cent of sales, versus 5 per cent from US bidders. Europe continues to make up the lion's share of wine buyers, with 84 per cent of sales going to buyers on the continent.

Last year Asians contributed 12 per cent, versus 1.6 per cent from the US and 85 per cent from the states. 

During last year's 150th sale Asia became the second most important region after Europe, for its number of registered bidders and the value of wines acquired, overtaking the USA. This trend was confirmed this week.

“Collectors and amateurs from 23 nations were buying directly at the Hospices de Beaune sale this year, which underlines the magnetic nature of this auction for wine lovers throughout the world. There were numerous Asian buyers in the auction room, as well as in the streets of Beaune – immersing themselves in Burgundy’s traditional festivities” said Anthony Hanson, master of wine and senior consultant of Christie’s.

At the auction last weekend, 600 barrels of red wine and nearly 150 of white wine were snapped up, and 32 cuvées of red wine and 13 of white.

However the star of the show was The President’s Barrel, which sold for €110,000 to Albert Bichot on behalf of The Antique Wine Company, London.

Each year, since 1945, the Hospices de Beaune has donated the profit of one barrel of wine known as: la Pièce des Présidents. This year, the president’s barrel of the Grand Cru Corton Clos du Roi, Cuvée Baronne du Baÿ was a “tonneau”of 460 litres, made especially for the occasion.