ENGLISH TITLE: An anthropologist at the Clos Vougeot. A semio–anthropological analysis of the ritual of « integration » in the “Tastevins Chevaliers Brotherhood”

ABSTRACT: Burgundy is a region of France which is very highly reputed for the quality of its wines. Many events, rituals and guilds have been set up and established in order to promote and celebrate Burgundy wine. Among these are the “Knights of the Tasting–Cup” (Chevaliers du Tastevin), a guild which meets at Clos Vougeot Castle, a historic vineyard situated between Dijon and Beaune. This article analyses the enrolment ritual undergone by all new members accepted into the guild, from a semio–anthropological perspective. The author presents the banquet at the Clos Vougeot vineyard, examining the role that the enrolment ceremony plays on the esoteric codes associated with knighthood. This involves references to many ancient, biblical or literary myths, in order to encourage the participants to conceive their relationship to Burgundy wine in a richer symbolic way, thus legitimizing their acceptance into the elitist community of the “Knights”.

KEYWORDS: wine brotherhoods; semio–anthropology; integration; ritual; ceremony.