Throughout its existence, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin has innovated events that have become an integral part of the regional customs.
La
Saint-Vincent Tournante The patron saint of growers, Saint Vincent, is also the
patron saint of most of the mutual Aid Societies created in the wine-growing
villages of Burgundy during the last century. Each one has a statue and a banner.
Every year, the "local Saint" is hosted by a different family who keep him under
their roof until the following January. Thus, the Saint "tourne", it goes round
each village, from year to year, from family to family. In 1938, the Confrérie
des Chevaliers du Tastevin thought up a "Saint-Vincent Tournante" ("revolving"
Saint-Vincent). Every year, a different village welcomes all the winegrowers'
brotherhoods.
The religious service, the sermon which reminds the congregation of some essential
truths, the parade of the brotherhoods, the investiture of the oldest winegrowers
as Chevaliers du Tastevin, the presence of the Bishop of the diocese, the opportunity
for all to be brought together during the dormant season of the vines, all these
factors reveal a real spiritual dimension, a genuine popular feast, a collective
life with firm roots in the soul.
More informations on saint-vincent-tournante.fr.
Les
Trois Glorieuses The
idea of the Trois Glorieuses came into being at the same time as the Confrérie
des Chevaliers du Tastevin. This event takes place every year on the third weekend
of November from Saturday to Monday. On Saturday evening, the Confrérie des
Chevaliers du Tastevin holds a Chapitre, On Sunday afternoon, wines are auctioned
at the Hospices de Beaune, On Monday afternoon, there is the "Paulée de Meursault"
and the award of its literary prize. A Mâconnais and one of the founding fathers,
Georges Rozet, thought up this wonderful idea in 1933: a day given to wine from
the Côte de Nuits, one day before the wine auction at the Hospices de Beaune
(which dates from 1859) and two days before "la Paulée de Meursault" (started
in 1932 by Count Lafon). So for the first time, in 1934, there was a historic
"agreement" between Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The wine auction at the
Hospices de Beaune is not a precise measure of where the wine business in Burgundy
is up to, but it does enable one to have some idea of the market.
The
Tastevin prize As soon as the war was over, the Confrérie inaugurated its
"gazette" under the evocative title "Tasting-cup in hand". This was a means
of reaching all the members of the Order who were scattered abroad and keeping
them in touch with the Confrérie's actions and its projects. Two years later
it inaugurated a "Chamber of Art and Letters" which, among other functions,
awarded a Grand Literary Prize and published works concerning the vineyards
and wines. This Prize has now been extended and become the "Prix du Tastevin",
enabling the Confrérie to reward all forms of art or action honouring Burgundy.
Cultural
and human patronage None of this has prevented the Confrérie, which normally
wears a smiling face, from being aware of the world's woes: every year it gives
the cash equivalent of the first service of wine at its Chapitres to a humanitarian
organization.
The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin also sponsors concerts, research grants,
moral and financial aid, fostering creation in a variety of ways. And finally
the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin publishes books celebrating Burgundy
and its wine.
Le
Tastevinage In
its natural desire to help improve the quality of wine, the Confrérie des Chevaliers
du Tastevin instituted "Tastevinage". Every year, since 1950, Tastevinage has
been organised at the Château du Clos de Vougeot.
Tastevinage is not a competition but a test based on trust: Its principle is
the selection from the samples presented, of those which perfectly express the
truth of Appellation and vintage - wines that people would be glad to offer
their friends. Wines for laying down of course.
