THE TASTEVINAGE
The Seal of Approval of the Greater Burgundy Wine Region
The TASTEVINAGE is a seal of approval, the fruit of a rigorous examination of wines from the Burgundy Wine Region, from Chablis to the Beaujolais crus, awarded by a jury made up of Burgundy’s best wine-tasters.
Created in 1950 by the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, the event, hosted at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, brings together the cream of Burgundy’s wine experts to select those wines that stand out as being the most authentically representative of their appellation and vintage. It is the aim of the Tastevinage to bring to the attention of the wider public the savoir-faire of Burgundy’s winegrowers and the outstanding quality of their wines.
By recognizing the savoir-faire of Burgundy´s winegrowers, The TASTEVINAGE provides a reliable guide for Burgundy wine lovers.
PROMOTING THE WINES OF BURGUNDY´S VIEYARDS
The TASTEVINAGE selection, guides the consumer through the complexities of Burgundy´s appelations, while providing a guarantee of quality and authenticity.
ELIGIBLE WINES
The List of wines eligibles for selection, extends from the Chabilis to the Baujolais Crus; red, white wines and Crémants de Bourgogne.
THE WINE TASTING
Held twice a year – in Spring time and Autumn – in the beautiful Château du Clos de Vogeot, the TASTEVINAGE gathers around 250 wine tasters. Chosen from an elite of connoisseurs and descerning palates. These professional Burgundy wine tasters are all conected with the world of wine.
WINE JUDGES
Members of the jury includes: estate owners, growers representatives – cooperatives and protecction bodies; wine brokers, oenologists, sommeliers, government officials – in parnership with winegrowers; restaurateurs, buyers, distribuitors, knowledgeable amateurs and official representatives from the wine industy.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE WINE TASTING
Of all the Burgundies submitted, only those faithfully reflecting the true characteristics of their appellation and vintage will be awarded the TASTEVINAGE Seal of Approval. The brand is an acknowledgement of the winegrower’s skill and a guarantee of quality for the consumer.
Each wine is given out of twenty. The wine-taster also indicates whether he thinks the wine worthy of The TASTEVINAGE label. Only wines awarded a grade of thirteen or above can be declared Tasteviné.
At the end of the session , the wine-taster’s forms are collected, and the grades entered one by one, with strict neutrality, by members of The Grand Conseil of The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. The final selection list is determined by the average grade attributed to each wine.
The results are officially announced in the days following The TASTEVINAGE. Accessible on the Tastevinage web-site and published in the press, the list contains the names of all the wines awarded the Tasteviné seal.
THE TASTEVINAGE GLASS
Brainchild of The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and conceived to coincide with the 100th TASTEVINAGE, this wine glass has been designed with the aim of perfecting the tasting experience.
Created specifically for tasting burgundy, this wine-glass was used anf approved unanimously by the wine judges. The traditionnal blown glass facilitates the wine-taster’s task by emphasising retro-olfaction, releasing all the wine’s aromas anf flavours simultaneously and thus revealing its full character.
A model of contempory design, the glass expresses its authenticity in the inclined rim, inspired by the natural slopes of Burgundy’s vineyards.
THE TASTEVINAGE LOOK
To help them promote their wines, the laureates have at their disposal two packaging ideas aimed at highlighting The TASTEVINAGE label.
THE TWO BOTTLE PRESENTATION BOX
To mark the 100th edition of The TASTEVINAGE, the two bottle presentation box has been entirely remodelled. As well as emphasing the Tastevinés status, the attractive new labelling and packaging increases visibility at the sales point.
*Available exclusively from The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.
BOTTLE CONES
The TASTEVINAGE visual identity is also reproduced on bottle cones intended for mass-market promotion. The cone is a concise, effective way of presenting the TASTEVINAGE selection, consolidating its consumer image.
*Another presentation idea available on request from the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.
Château du Clos de Vougeot – Burgundy, France
©Bénédicte Manière
THE 105ÈME TASTEVINAGE – SPRING 2020
At this TASTEVINAGE like those before it, those wines most authentically representative of the Burgundy Wine-growing Region will be chosen from a selection 658 by a jury of wine-industry professionals, and awarded with the Tastevinage seal of approval, a trustworthy endorsement of their quality and authenticity.
The birthplace of winegrowing in Burgundy, the Château du Clos de Vougeot will play host to experts and professionals from the wine world including winegrowers, sommeliers, wine-merchants, brokers, journalists and influencers, who will take part in a blind winetasting. At the end of the tasting, jury members will select the wines judged to be most true to their appellations and vintages.
Burgundy, France.
©Bénédicte Manière
*TASTEVINAGE SPRING 2020 – Covid -19
In response to the national Covid-19 epidemic, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, organizers of the Tastevinage, postponed the Spring edition scheduled for the beginning of March. The Spring Tastevinage will now take place this coming Friday May 29th at the Château with a reduced panel of judges and modified organization and reception conditions to comply with the necessary health and safety requirements.
For this particular edition, in order to guarantee the safety of jury members and others present, the teams at the Château have undertaken a thorough review of how the event is organized, so that it meets the requirements of the hygiene and safety measures currently in force.
As a result, the tasting-jury will be smaller than in the past, with no more than nine professional wine-tasters together in the same room at the same time time. All the rooms will be aired and disinfected between sessions.
In addition to the smaller jury and the division of the tasting into morning and afternoon sessions, each taster will sit at a separate table to maintain social distancing. The necessary health and safety measures will be strictly observed: tasters will be required to wear face-masks until seated at their tables; hand-sanitizers will be made available; the traditional cocktail-lunch has been abandoned; breathalyzers provided for drivers of vehicles; table staff reduced to an absolute minimum with one server – provided with a protective visor – for nine tasters.
THE 105ÈME TASTEVINAGE WINETASTING
FRIDAY MAY 29TH 2020 – THE CHATEAU DU CLOS DE VOUGEOT
Burgundy, France