chevalier de tastevin

davewarne · #1 10-06-2003, 04:17 AM

Hi,
I've recently aquired a certificate to hang on the wall in my restaurant. The more I study it the more interested I become on finding out a bit about the recipient. Leonard Martin James. Any ideas where I can start looking......

I'm assuming this was presented when M. James was made a member. It is a Chromolithograph, measuring 16" x 13" plus border, with the name, date etc inscribed in calligraphy. It reads thus:
>
>M. Leonard Martin James
>a ete reconnu dinge de faire partie de la Confrerie des
>Chevaliers de Tastevin
>
>fait et donne au Chateau du Clos de Vougeot en Bourgogne, le 5 Mai 1956
>
>It is signed by Le Grand Chancelier ( poss. Roisier ? ) and
>Le Grand Maitre de l'Ordre ( poss Faivelly ? )
>
>It has the arms of Nuits and of Bourgogne and is richly decorated with gold (leaf?)
>It is not numbered.
>
>Being a chef and Restaurateur anything like this interests me. I was hoping there might be a register in Bourgogne with some background. I'm assuming the gentleman was English and there can't have been many Englishmen in the Confrerie in the 1950's.
>

All the best

David

Anneke · #2 10-06-2003, 12:43 PM

What a wonderful find! I was at Clos-Vougeot a few years ago and though I missed the party, I saw where they hold their annual celebrations and induct their new chevaliers. It's a big affair and celebs such as the lovely Catherine Deneuve are always in attendance. I wish I could send you the pictures (sorry, no scanner). I remember there being some very old oak presses, 700 or so years old. If you do go to Nuit St-George, it's worth a look. I brought home some incredible bottles from that place. Let me see if I can't find anything about the confrerie and I'll get back to you....

Anneke · #3 10-06-2003, 12:50 PM

About the other 2 names on the certificate you hold:

Quote:

Two men from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Camille Rodier and Georges Faiveley, formed the Tourist Office in 1933. "As nobody wants our wines", they said together with other winegrowers, "let's invite our friends to come and taste them with us!" Rather than going to Paris, they preferred to stay in Nuits-Saint-Georges, sure that "people will come to us if we know how to awaken their interest".

As to how an Englishman would become a member:

Quote:

The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin is a private club. It may have 10 000 members but it has no desire for a noticeable increase of membership, so that the quality of reception facilities at the Château du Clos de Vougeot can be maintained. Yet, the "Tastevin" does not just receive "anyone" no matter how successful he or she may be. It appreciates merit as well as talent, it likes to honour courage, personal endeavour, scientific intelligence, the love of France and fulfilment of human values.
To become an applicant for membership of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, one must express a wish to become a member and be presented by two members of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin who have agreed to be sponsors

From the official web site: http://www.tastevin-bourgogne.com/An...?membrecours=0

Anneke · #4 10-06-2003, 12:57 PM

davewarne · #5 10-06-2003, 05:43 PM

At last, getting somewhere. I'd roamed about the Net but they seem pretty tight lipped over there. My best shot was to the head of the Rotary Wine Group in NYC, she is a Chevalier. Not a lot of help. I began to think it was a secret society. Still the man has probably been dead for a while ( can't see HIM chucking that out) so unless he murdered someone my chances of finding out who & what are pretty slim. Thanks again

Dave

davewarne · #6 10-06-2003, 05:47 PM

P.S.
My favourite Burgundy is Echezeaux, but alas the pocket is not as deep as it used to be.

Dave

cape chef · #7 10-06-2003, 06:57 PM

[quote]Originally posted by davewarne
[b]P.S.
My favourite Burgundy is Echezeaux, but alas the pocket is not as deep as it used to be.

Dave, your not alone.

I've had the pleasure of drinking all the DRC wine from Echezeaux to Richeborg and Domaine Rominee Conti....but alas,there were not from my cellar,but I can say i've drank them.

mike · #8 10-13-2003, 06:38 AM

Dave,
He was probably a shipper or agent for Burgundy in the Uk.
Try the WSET who are online,they could point you in the right direction.
I love Cambridge where is your place & what do you cook.
I managed the Tram depot for a short while on relief.

davewarne · #9 10-16-2003, 02:32 AM

Hi Mike

What is the WSET. Wine+Spirit ??? Trade??.

A link to my restaurant can be found in my profile. I'm not too sure how self-promotion is viewed on the Cafe. My wife and I :-) run the place almost on our own and we have just been told we have made the Good Food Guide. We say the food is French with English names. Set menu at £30, four courses, and 5 or 6 choices. Changes about every 6 weeks. Nearly all cooked to order. There's a review on
http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/eati...blishment=145.

We too love Cambridge but it could do with a couple more really good restaurants. Until recently the hotels weren't up to much either. Never stopped at the Tram Depot though I get my hair cut round the corner at Peppys.

All the best

Dave

mike · #10 10-16-2003, 12:53 PM

ps Dave my sister in law lives in Ely, she trains dressage horses.