Tastevinage. Château du Clos de Vougeot. 117th Session
Within the legendary walls of Château du Clos de Vougeot, one of the most emblematic sites of winegrowing Bourgogne, the 117th session of Tastevinage – the prestigious wine selection organised by the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin – has taken place. Wine Travel Awards columnist Oleksandra Minenko-Decamps shared her impressions of the spring session directly from the halls of Château du Clos de Vougeot.
Founded in 1950, Tastevinage is among the most authoritative quality distinctions for the wines of Bourgogne. During this traditional professional blind tasting, the jury evaluates wines from across the region’s appellations, selecting those that best express the character of their terroir, the style of their appellation and the authenticity of Bourgogne’s winemaking heritage.
This year, around 170 wine professionals took part in the 117th session of Tastevinage – winemakers, négociants, sommeliers, brokers, oenologists, journalists and international experts. Together, they assessed nearly 500 wines from Bourgogne, ranging from Crémant de Bourgogne to prestigious Premier Cru and Grand Cru cuvées.
The patron (parrain) of this session was the philosopher and writer Laurent de Sutter – author of more than thirty books translated into twelve languages, and professor of legal theory at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Sciences Po Paris. In contemporary philosophy he is known for his work on culture, aesthetics and the social dimensions of human experience, including wine as a cultural phenomenon and the analysis of intoxication.
Opening the event, Laurent de Sutter delivered a speech reflecting on the historical and cultural significance of wine in shaping human communities. He evoked Baghdad during the reign of Caliph Harun al‑Rashid – the first true metropolis in world history, with a population exceeding one million. It was a capital of science, art and intellectual life, where great thinkers, poets and scholars gathered around the ruler.
Among them he mentioned the poet Abu Nuwas, who entered the history of Arabic literature as one of the first authors to shift poetry from the desert to the city. Whereas earlier Arabic poetry celebrated the desert – starry skies, sandy roads and nomadic encampments – Abu Nuwas introduced a new world: the noise of the city, nocturnal encounters, open taverns, wine and lively conversation.
Thus, as Laurent de Sutter noted, wine under favourable conditions becomes not merely a drink but a cultural and social catalyst, creating a space for communication and the exchange of ideas.
He also referred to the ancient tradition of the banquet, where a special role was played by the nadim – the person responsible for shaping the atmosphere of the evening. The nadim set the rhythm of conversation, oversaw the service of wine and guided the interaction among guests so that an ordinary dinner transformed into an intellectual and cultural event. According to de Sutter, it is at the table that a unique form of community emerges: people share stories, poetry and thoughts; new ideas are born in dialogue; old convictions may be reconsidered. In such moments, joy and the vibrant energy of human connection arise – the very qualities that make encounters unforgettable.
It is in this spirit – the meeting of professional tasting, wine culture and intellectual exchange – that Tastevinage traditionally unfolds at Clos de Vougeot, where the traditions of Bourgogne meet the contemporary world of wine.
The results of the 117th session of Tastevinage will be announced on 10 March 2026.
We would also like to remind readers that from 11 to 31 March, you can cast your vote on the WTA website for the unique international gastronomic event held at Clos de Vougeot:
Worldwide œufs en meurette Championship – Wine Travel Awards
You may also support the charismatic ambassador of Bourgogne wines and leading guide to the region, Oleksandra Minenko-Decamps:
Oleksandra Minenko-Decamps – Wine Travel Awards
Oleksandra Minenko-Decamps – Wine Travel Awards
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