Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
Encyclopedia
Originally founded in 1703 as the Ordre de la Boisson (Order of the Drink), and resurrected under its current name in 1934, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (translatable as Brotherhood of Knights of Wine-Tasting Cups) is an exclusive club of Burgundy wine
enthusiasts. It is headquartered in the twelfth-century Château du Clos de Vougeot in the Côte d'Or
region of France
. It maintains chapters (called Sous-Commanderies) worldwide, but because of its Gallic origins its name and many of its ceremonial titles are always rendered in French
.
The Confrérie is governed by a Grand Conseil of Chevaliers. Its president is called the Grand Maître and its secretary is called the Grand Connetable. In the U.S. the organization delegates authority to a Grand Pilier, who is assisted by a Grand Connetable. Candidates for membership are approved by the Grand Pilier or Grand Connetable, and are confirmed by the Grand Conseil.
Members are hierarchically ranked (in descending order) as Grand Officiers, Officiers Commandeurs, Commandeurs, and Chevaliers. The Confrérie counts among its membership businessmen, luminaries, and celebrities, including national and military leaders, diplomats, executives, scholars, athletes, musicians, and artists. During initiation ceremonies, members wear ornate robes that are duplicates of those worn by doctors of theology
in sixteenth-century France.
The primary goals of the organization are "To hold in high regard and encourage the use of the products of Burgundy, particularly her great wines and her 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."
The organization's activities are generally scheduled around elaborate chapter dinners and other culinary events, at which Burgundy wines are served (although sometimes other types of French wines are sampled). At these events it is customary for members to comment in detail about the history and characteristics of each wine or dish that is served, in order to promote "viticultural and gastronomic education."
The most important annual event of the Confrérie is the tasting of Burgundy wines at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, where those deemed superior by a jury of tasters are awarded the title of "Tastevinage."
Burgundy wine
Burgundy wine is wine made in the Burgundy region in eastern France, in the valleys and slopes west of the Saône River, a tributary of the Rhône. The most famous wines produced here - those commonly referred to as "Burgundies" - are red wines made from Pinot Noir grapes or white wines made from...
enthusiasts. It is headquartered in the twelfth-century Château du Clos de Vougeot in the Côte d'Or
Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or is a department in the eastern part of France.- History :Côte-d'Or is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was formed from part of the former province of Burgundy.- Geography :...
region of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It maintains chapters (called Sous-Commanderies) worldwide, but because of its Gallic origins its name and many of its ceremonial titles are always rendered in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
.
The Confrérie is governed by a Grand Conseil of Chevaliers. Its president is called the Grand Maître and its secretary is called the Grand Connetable. In the U.S. the organization delegates authority to a Grand Pilier, who is assisted by a Grand Connetable. Candidates for membership are approved by the Grand Pilier or Grand Connetable, and are confirmed by the Grand Conseil.
Members are hierarchically ranked (in descending order) as Grand Officiers, Officiers Commandeurs, Commandeurs, and Chevaliers. The Confrérie counts among its membership businessmen, luminaries, and celebrities, including national and military leaders, diplomats, executives, scholars, athletes, musicians, and artists. During initiation ceremonies, members wear ornate robes that are duplicates of those worn by doctors of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
in sixteenth-century France.
The primary goals of the organization are "To hold in high regard and encourage the use of the products of Burgundy, particularly her great wines and her 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."
The organization's activities are generally scheduled around elaborate chapter dinners and other culinary events, at which Burgundy wines are served (although sometimes other types of French wines are sampled). At these events it is customary for members to comment in detail about the history and characteristics of each wine or dish that is served, in order to promote "viticultural and gastronomic education."
The most important annual event of the Confrérie is the tasting of Burgundy wines at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, where those deemed superior by a jury of tasters are awarded the title of "Tastevinage."