Decanter and WaterAid auction raises over £50,000

This year's Decanter World Wine Awards and Christie's auction has raised over £50,000 for WaterAid.

Decanter and Wateraid auction at Christie’s

The eleventh annual auction happened Christie’s, King Street on the morning of 10th November. It raised a total of just over £53,000 and proceeds will be given to the WaterAid charity.

Lots included top Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italian reds and Champagne, and bidders were from locations stretching from Norwich to Hong Kong.

White Burgundy, including from Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault and Chablis, went for £700, above the high estimate of £600, and most of the lots were bought from a bidder in Hong Kong.

One lot of 60 bottles of red Bordeaux, including from Margaux, Saint Estèphe, Pessac-Léognan and St Emilion, went for £850, above the high estimate of £700.

Some lots of mixed Italian reds – ‘a traditionally strong category,’ said David Elswood, international head of wine at Christie’s, went for £750, above the high estimate of £700.

The highest bidding lots of the auction were for 60 bottles of Champagne, a mix of vintage and non-vintage from small growers to Grande Marques, two of which went for £1,000.

Wine lovers can still bid on cases in the online auction, which opens on 5th December and runs until 15th.

Sarah Kemp, managing director of Decanter, said, ‘The auction is an unprecedented chance for enthusiasts to get their hands on some of the best wines, which are not readily available on the high street while helping a great cause.’

Find out more about the wines on auction here.

Decanter and WaterAid

The Decanter World Wine Awards auctions have raised over £500,000 for Wateraid over the years. The 2015 Christie’s auction raised record £60,000. 

Wateraid helps provide clean water and safe toilets for some of the world’s poorest communities.

‘Having visited WaterAid projects in Zambia, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that having safe water and good sanitation can make – these basic resources really do save lives,’ said Kemp.

‘I’m so proud that Decanter magazine can continue to make a difference in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities.’

• Read about Wateraid’s work

Sarah Kemp’s trip to Zambia with WaterAid:

Sarah Kemp’s Zambia diary: Part one

Who'd have thought that corked wine would actually benefit anyone? Well it has.

Sarah Kemp’s Zambia diary: Part two

The Golden Pillow Lodge in Monze, Southern Zambia hasn't seen many visitors clutching Christie's catalogues. Yet the reason for me

Sarah Kemp’s Zambia diary: Part three

Early start to visit Mavwali, a village where WaterAid has helped the community gain access to clean water and 100%

Sarah Kemp’s Zambia diary: Part four

It’s my last day in Zambia. We finally leave Monze, and after days on unmade roads, it's a relief to

Decanter’s trip to Zambia with WaterAid