The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (literally "Fraternity of the Knights of the Wine-Tasting Cup") is a Bacchanalian fraternity of wine connoisseurs established in 1934 to promote Burgundian wines and culture.
Originally formed under the Ancien Régime and re-established in 1934, the are based at the 12th-century château of Clos de Vougeot, in the French department of Côte d'Or.
With chapters worldwide, called , in view of its Gallic heritage, the name and ceremonial titles are usually styled in French.
The , in its present form, was founded in 1934. Its origins derive from the earlier (Order of the Free-Drinkers of Burgundy). 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.
The American branch was established on 27 March 1940 in New York by Jules Bohy; a chapter in Washington, D.C. opened in 1946).
In 1944, the 's founding members bought the château of the Clos de Vougeot, making it the organization's headquarters, and then embarked upon the castle's renovation.
Open to men and women, there numbered about 12,000 members worldwide in 2016 (2,300 in the USA alone); there are 33 chapters in the United States and 75 worldwide. The primary aims of 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."
Members wear ceremonial Tastevin that have ribbons of crimson and gold. These colors represent the pinot noir and the chardonnay, both grapes of Burgundy. New members receive the accolade by a petrified grapevine root from Burgundy.
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 â (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").
Its magazine, , is published twice a year.
'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.
Each collects and stores its own wine, with one member assigned to look after the cellar.
The principal annual event of the organization is the tasting of Burgundy wines, called , at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, when wines deemed worthy by a jury of tasters are awarded the accolade of and are permitted to use a special label on their bottles.
is governed by a , headed by the , with a secretary known as the . In the United States, the organization delegates authority to a , who is also assisted by a '. Membership is hierarchically ranked (in descending order) from , , , to .
Candidates for membership are approved by the or ', subject to confirmation by the ' in France. Its membership includes businessmen, politicians, military leaders, diplomats, scholars, athletes, musicians and artists.