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Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin

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The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (French for 'Fraternity of Knights of the Wine-Tasters' Cup') is an exclusive Bacchanalian fraternity of Burgundy wine connoisseurs.[2]

Confrérie des
Chevaliers du Tastevin
Arms of the Chevaliers du Tastevin,
depicting a 16c cartoon priest-chevalier
Founded1934; 90 years ago (1934)
TypeBacchanalian fraternity
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
ScopeInternational
Members12,000[1] active
Former nameOrdre de la Boisson ('Order of the Beverage')
Headquarters2 rue de Chaux
Nuits-Saint-Georges 21700
France
Websitetastevin-bourgogne.com

Originally formed under the Ancien Régime and re-established in 1934,[3] the Chevaliers du Tastevin are based at the 12th-century château of the Clos de Vougeot in the Côte d'Or region of Burgundy, France.

With chapters worldwide, called Sous-Commanderies, in view of its Gallic heritage, the name and ceremonial titles are usually styled in French.

History

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The Confrérie, in its present form, was founded in 1934. Its origins derive from the earlier 'Order of the Free-Drinkers of Burgundy' (Ordre des Buveurs Libres de Bourgogne). The initial idea was to reinvigorate the Burgundian wine industry during the economic turmoil prior to World War II. The first meeting was held on 16 November 1934 in the Caveau Nuiton at Nuits-Saint-Georges.[4][5]

The American branch was established on 27 March 1940 in New York by Jules Bohy (Washington DC opened in 1946).[6][4]

In 1944, the Confrérie's founding members bought the château of the Clos de Vougeot, making it the Confrérie's headquarters, and then embarked upon the castle's careful renovation.[6]

Organization

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The Confrérie is governed by a Grand Conseil of Chevaliers, headed by the Grand Maître, with a secretary known as the Grand Connétable (Louis-Marc Chevignard[4]). In the USA, the organization delegates authority to a Grand Pilier, who is also assisted by a Grand Connétable. Candidates for membership are approved by the Grand Pilier or Grand Connétable, subject to confirmation by the Grand Conseil in France. New members receive the accolade by a petrified grapevine root from Burgundy.[6]

Membership is hierarchically ranked (in descending order) from Grand officier, Officier-commandeur, Commandeur, to Chevalier. The Confrérie comprises businessmen, politicians, military leaders, diplomats, scholars, athletes, musicians and artists.

At investitures, prospective members are adorned with ornate robes similar to academic gowns worn by doctors of theology in sixteenth-century France, before being admitted upon the following proclamation – French: Par Noé, Père de la Vigne, Par Bacchus, Dieu du Vin, Par Saint-Vincent, Patron des Vignerons, nous vous armons Chevalier du Tastevin (English: 'Through Noah, Father of Vines, Bacchus, God of Wine, Saint-Vincent, Patron of Winemakers, we make admit you as a Knight of the Tastevin').[7]

The primary aims of the organisation are "to hold in high regard and promote Burgundian produce, particularly her great wines and regional cuisine. To maintain and revive the festivities, customs and traditions of Burgundian folklore," and "to encourage people from all over the world to visit Burgundy."[8]

Open to men and women, there numbered about 12,000 Chevaliers worldwide in 2016 (2,300 in the USA alone);[4][5] there are 33 Chapitres in the United States.[6]

Activities

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Membership certificate of a Chevalier du Tastevin

The Confrérie's activities are generally scheduled around sumptuous chapter dinners and other culinary events, where Burgundian wines are served (and occasionally other quality French wines, eg. Bordeaux, are tasted). At these events, it is customary for the Chevaliers to give detailed appraisals on the background and characteristics of each wine or dish being served; neatly described as "viticultural and gastronomic education", such critique also serves as peer review.[9]

Each Chapitre collects and stores its own wine, with one member assigned to look after the cellar.[6]

The principal annual event of the Confrérie is the tasting of Burgundy wines, called Tastevinage, at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, when wines deemed worthy by a jury of tasters are awarded the accolade of Tasteviné and are permitted to use a special label on their bottles.[5]

The Confrérie publishes its official magazine twice a year – Tastevin en Main.[4]

Notable members

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Bibliography

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  • Jean-Francois Bazin, Bernard Pivot, Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin: 1934 - 1994, Les Editions du Tastevin (1994)

References

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  1. ^ "La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin - LA CONFRÉRIE - Les chapitres". www.tastevin-bourgogne.com.
  2. ^ Kamen, Al (22 May 2013). "From planes to frames". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. ^ Laferté, Gilles (2002). "La production d'identités territoriales à usage commercial dans l'entre-deux-guerres en Bourgogne" (PDF). Cahiers d'économie et de sociologie rurales. 62: 65–95. doi:10.3406/reae.2002.1678. S2CID 247283933.
  4. ^ a b c d e The Confrérie Organization, the History and Traditions, Tastevincanada.com
  5. ^ a b c d Eric Grundhauser, A Look At Mr. Wonderful’s Secret Society for Wine Snobs, Atlasobscura.com, 9 February 2016
  6. ^ a b c d e Valerie Cruice, Fraternity gathers for love of wine, Nytimes.com, 8 June 1986
  7. ^ Juliet Cullinan, Queen of the Tastevin, Julietcullinan.co.za, 21 May 2018
  8. ^ Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, booklet (June 1959).
  9. ^ "Dinner at the Clos de Vougeot - Articles - JancisRobinson.com". www.jancisrobinson.com.
  10. ^ The World’s Most Elite Wine Groups (That You Probably Can’t Join), Lastbottlewines.com, 28 June 2018
  11. ^ a b Swire, Sasha (2021). Diary of an MP's wife : inside and outside power. Abacus (publishers). p. 79. ISBN 978-0-349-14440-5. OCLC 1162879855.
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