During the Saturday before the big Hospices de Beaune wine auction (see this video), there is a huge wine tasting in a large convention centre outside the city to which anyone can go and many locals - especially young people, I was delighted to see - do. All they have to do is buy a ticket and submit to a certain amount of queuing.

The wines are arranged by appellation and some really first class producers (anyone for Roumier and Coche-Dury?) show at least one of their wares. 

See below for what struck me particularly forcefully.  And see here and here for why it's such a shame.