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Laithwaites auction beats expectations
Laithwaites’ recent auction in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, which included the wine shipped by packet boat from Bordeaux as well as lots of Châteaux Ausone and Lafite, raised more than its £10,000 target.
Wine writer Charles Metcalfe was put to work as auctioneer for the event held at Laithwaites’ Vinopolis store and the final total came in at £12,600 for the 18 lots on offer.
The auction marked the end of a voyage, organised by Laithwaites founder, Tony Laithwaite, which saw an old sailing boat – the Irene (pictured) – sail from Bordeaux to London with 9,072 bottles of claret from the merchant’s winery Le Chai au Quai on the banks of the Dordogne.
When the ketch set sail on 6 May a full regatta was held to see her off. Le Chai winemaker, Mark Hoddy, accompanied the wine for the entire voyage.
Click here to watch our video interview with Tony Laithwaite aboard the Irene
Rupert Millar, 26.05.2011