Super lots on offer at IMW benefit dinner

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced the ‘Super Lots’ that will be on offer at benefit dinner and auction in November to raise money for its Endowment Fund.

The event will be held at the international auction house Bonhams on Thursday 16 November 2017

A number of Super Lots, comprising exclusive experiences from the great wine regions of the world, will be sold at the live auction on the night with a further 100 Lots offered online from 1 November 2017.

Super Lots include The Champagne Bollinger Super Lot, donated by The Madame Bollinger Foundation. This will see up to eight guests travel VIP to Bollinger, stay in luxury accommodation and be treated to a dinner at Les Crayeres, Reims. It also includes a private lunch at Madame Bollinger’s House, a private tour of the cellars and vineyards with Chef de Caves – Gilles Descotes – and a bottle of 1914 Vintage Bollinger.

A second Super Lot offers an exclusive stay for two couples at Le Pin and Cheval Blanc plus visits and meals at the “five greats” of the Right Bank; Le Pin, Petrus, Lafleur, Cheval Blanc and Ausone.

The visits will include tastings of unique special bottles and the successful bidder and guests will also receive a Double Magnum of Le Pin 2010, a Double Magnum of Château Ausone 2005, two Magnums of Château Lafleur 2005 and Château Cheval Blanc 2005 and a Magnum of Petrus 2005.

A third Super Lot has been donated by Air New Zealand, which is offering a bespoke 10-day tour of a selection of NZ vineyards whose wines selected have been selected for its Fine Wine Selection. The tour will include two return business class fares, air and car travel in New Zealand, accommodation and meals. The tour will be hosted by Masters of Wine with private tastings with many of NZ’s great winemakers. A special wooden case selection of 48 rare bottles will also be shipped to the successful bidder.

“The Endowment Fund will enable the Institute to extend its range of activities in the global wine world, enhance the support it gives to Members worldwide and encourage the Masters of Wine of the future,” said chairman of the Institute, Jane Masters MW. “We are immensely grateful to our members, supporters and friends in the wine trade who have donated so generously to our auction at Bonhams, and are looking forward to a fantastic and successful evening.”

The event will be held at the international auction house Bonhams on Thursday 16 November 2017. Enquiries for tables should be sent to the Institute’s executive director Penny Richards, prichards@mastersofwine.org.