The French Confrérie vineuse from Burgundy is probably the most famous wine brotherhood in the world. It was founded in 1934 by Burgundian patriots in order to save the homeland from the then threatening economic decline or ruin by promoting wine. At that time, Burgundy was experiencing great sales problems for its wine. The causes were failed harvests, the abstinence movement and the late effects of the First World War. Many landowners, even of Grand Cru sites, sold their vineyards. Two citizens of Nuits-St-Georges in the Côte d'Or area, Georges Faiveley and Camille Rodier, founded this brotherhood at a banquet at Château du Clos de Vougeot. It was on the eve of the annual wine auction of the Hospices de Beaune, which has been held for centuries.
Since the mid-1920s, Meursault has hosted the traditional Paulée de Meursault, a public lunch to celebrate the end of the grape harvest. Since then, there have been three events each year on the third weekend in November (the Brotherhood Banquet, the Auction and the Paulée), collectively known as "Les Trois Glorieuses" (the three glorious days). In addition, the traditional Saint-Vincent Tournante event is organised every January, during which the new members are also solemnly admitted into the Fraternity. However, it is not possible to apply for membership; instead, well-known artists, high-ranking military officers, entrepreneurs and politicians are invited to become members in an honorary capacity.
The seat of the brotherhood is the Château du Clos de Vougeot, situated in the middle of the famous Grand Cru location Clos de Vougeot, which was built by the Cistercians as early as the 16th century. In 1920 it was bought by the winegrower and mayor of Vosne-Romanée Étienne Camuzet (1867-1946), who made the premises available to the brotherhood. He then sold it in 1944 to the newly founded "Société civile des Amis du Château du Clos de Vougeot", which granted the Confrérie a 99-year right of use. The coat of arms shown in the upper left is on a stained glass window of the Châteaux.
Banquets for 600 guests are held regularly. There are branches in many countries. Twice a year at a major event, 200 wine experts test the Burgundy wines proposed by the winegrowers for quality and appellation typicity. At the Tastevinage the wines are tested for quality and appellation typicity. The quality mark in the form of the Tastevin (wine tasting bowl) is awarded to only about 60 percent of the wines submitted. These receive the "Tasteviné" designation of honour and a special, numbered bottle emblem (see picture in the middle above). They are also subjected to laboratory analysis. One bottle each is stored in the cellar of the Wine Brotherhood for authenticity testing. See also under wine events.
Coat of arms: Of Jebulon - Own work, Public domain, Link
Emblem: Chevaliers du Tastevin, CC0, Link
Tastevin: From Ra Boe / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Link
Château: © Bénédecite MANIERE and Jean-Louis BERNUY
