One of Burgundy’s most iconic views is the imposing silhouette of Château du Clos de Vougeot against the backdrop of world-famous vineyards. This historic Château is not just an architectural achievement: it is a testament to centuries of wine-making tradition. A symbol of Burgundy’s prestigious viticulture heritage. And that’s why it is the perfect place to host Le Vin de Demain. The Burgundy School of Business kindly invited me to this extraordinary event about the future of the wine industry. This article shares more information about the event and my Château du Clos de Vougeot Visit.
Menu
Le Vin de Demain by the Burgundy School of Business
Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
The Meal + Wine Pairings
Château du Clos de Vougeot Visit
Overall Thoughts
Le Vin de Demain by the Burgundy School of Business
Created in 1899 by the Dijon Chamber of Commerce, the Burgundy School of Business (known as BSB) is one of France’s top business schools. Triple accredited, it is a private university that is one of the French Grandes écoles (France’s equivalent to the Ivy League). Their School of Wine & Spirits is particularly well regarded throughout France and the world.
I was kindly invited to their prestigious event, Le Vin de Demain, hosted at the Château du Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy. Over 100 participants, including industry professionals, alumni, and students, were in attendance.
Many topics on the future of the sector were debated during a round-table discussion moderated by Laëtitia Allemand (BSB’16 CIVS, winemaker of Domaine Allemand). The 5 incredible speakers were :
- Stéphane Baschiera (former President of Moët & Chandon)
- Jean-François Curie (CEO of Boisset)
- Kévin Jandard (DG of Domaine Famille Descombe)
- Florian Migeon (CMO Famille Piffaut Vins & Domaines)
- Gabrielle Vizzavona (Wine and spirits expert, teacher and lecturer)
For me, some of the key takeaways include the need for innovation in the sector, a shift towards organic and alternative wine-making, Gen Z drinking habits, and how consumption moments are changing. Incredibly insightful and thought-provoking. Especially the exchanges between players in the large groups vs independent wine-makers.
The day continued with a decadent lunch and its wine pairings in the Grand Cellier du Château as well as a guided tour.
Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
The esteemed Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin owns Château du Clos de Vougeot. Founded in 1934 by Georges Faiveley and Camille Rodier, Tastevin’s mission is to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Burgundy wine region while preserving its esteemed reputation.
A key player in all the region’s important events, Tastevin was instrumental in creating and organizing my favourite wine festival, the Saint Vincent Tournante. You can read more about this here and here. They are also behind the restoration of the Château du Clos de Vougeot.
One of their most important roles is the Tastevinage label. Twice a year, at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin organizes a major tasting of Burgundy wines. The comittee literally tastes hundreds of wines. The very best receive the Tastevinage label. This is the benchmark of Burgundy wines!
The Meal + Wine Pairings
Lunch is a multi-course affair by the resident Chef of Château du Clos de Vougeot, Alexandra Bouvret. Each dish has a perfect wine pairing, of course with the Tastevinage label. This delicious and convivial lunch takes place in the Grand Cellier du Château, originally an innovative above-ground wine cellar! Each table was named after a Grand Cru village. I was sat at Chambolle-Musigny.
Entrée
The meal began with an eye-catching cannelloni of salmon gravlax and beetroot, filled with crab meat. It was accompanied by a light salad and cream sauce. Overall quite light and full of flavour.
The wine pairing was Montagny Clos du Corbeau Millebuis 2018. Lemon zest and citrus flowers on the nose. The mouth, seductively expressive and generous, balanced with bright minerality.
Plat
The main was poulet noir de la Dombes en cocotte with tarragon. This is a chicken with black feathers and skin, known for having very high quality meat. It was slow cooked and served with a luscious herbed mushroom sauce. Roasted vegetables on the side. Absolutely delicious.
The wine pairing was Domaine Houblin Bourgogne Coulanges-la-Vineuse Cuvée Prestige 2016. Tantalising cherry and spice on the nose, reminiscent of a treat my grandmother used to make me. Nice roundness in the mouth with subtle tannins.
Fromages
Admittedly, I wanted a piece of every local cheese presented to me, but my stomach and politeness stopped me. LOL! Epoisses, Brillat-Savarin, and Regal de Bourgogne were my choices. Epoisses is a strong soft cheese, with a rind washed in Marc de Bourgogne (an eau-de-vie made with the leftovers of the winemaking process). Brillat-Savarin is a buttery triple cream cow cheese. Regal de Bourgoge is a fluffy cream cheese covered in crushed mustard seeds.
This final wine was a Marsannay Rouge 2014. Raspberry, tart cherry, and vanilla on the nose. Frank, fruity, and silky, it worked well with the cheese and the dessert.
Dessert
Dessert was to die for. A fluffy mousse cake with a berry gel and covered in dark chocolate. Served with fresh berries. It sounds decadent but was surprisingly light.
The meal ended with coffee, bâtonnets d’oranges, and pistachio nougat. Such a sumptuous meal!
Château du Clos de Vougeot Visit
My Château du Clos de Vougeot visit ended with an exciting tour through history!
Originally founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, the history of Château du Clos de Vougeot is as rich and complex as the wines it has produced for centuries. Modified throughout the years, it stands as a testament to time. Today, restoration work is ongoing thanks to donations from around the world.
The Abbey of Cîteaux
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Château (then an Abbey) flourished under the stewardship of the monks, who honed their wine making skills and expanded their vineyard holdings. Their dedication to quality and innovation propelled Burgundy wines to prominence, earning them acclaim across Europe.
The Château du Clos de Vougeot visit begins in the ancient abbey buildings. The reception/dining hall is the old above-ground cellars, highly innovative at the time due to lack of electricity to regulate temperature and humidity. This is where I lunched. The inscription, “Jamais en vain, Toujours en vin“, meaning “Never in vain, Always in wine”, is a modern-day addition. Is it the motto of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.
Ancient presses and vats are on display in the Medieval section of the Château. The four giant presses date back to the 13th century. While wine has not been produced here for quite some time, the presses still work!
The old dormitories for the vineyard-minding monks are in the attic. The magnificent oak framework consists of 50,000 tiles, 20,000 copper nails, and more than 10km of oak planks. Today, the space holds a museum.
On the topic of wine making, the Château does not own any of the vines within its namesake Clos anymore. Clos refers to vineyards within a wall, and are the very best. The Clos de Vougeot was officially granted prestigious Grand Cru status in 1937. Today, 80+ different owners share the 50 ha space, following successive sales after the monks left in 1789. Only a handful have over 1 ha of vines. Each vinifies their crop separately and according to their Domaines’ style.
From Abbey to Château
In the 16th century, the Château underwent a transformation, emerging as a grand Renaissance-style estate under the ownership of the local nobility. Elaborate gardens were cultivated, and the architecture was embellished with ornate detailing, reflecting the opulence of the era.
Elaborate archways and a well (still containing water) stand testament to this bygone era. Interestingly, they tie well with the adjoining ancient abbey.
However, over the years, the Château changed ownership quite a few times. Eventually, it fell into ruin… until a certain businessman saved it.
The Legacy of Léonce Bocquet
Léonce Bocquet had built a wine empire in the Côtes de Beaune and Nuits in the 1800s. While in the area, he spotted the crumbling Château du Clos de Vougeot and saw its potential. In 1889, he bought the property, including its outbuildings and 15 ha of vines. Two years later, he started working with the architect Félix Vionnois to lovingly restore the estate. In fact, he poured his life and fortune into it. Passing away just before WWI, he is buried under the driveway of his beloved home.
Léonce Bocquet’s devotion to this iconic Château makes him a Burgundian legend. And his legacy can be seen throughout the region, including statues, street names, wine names, books, and more.
One of my favourite rooms is his spectacular great hall. Fierce red walls. Luxurious wood panelling. Massive fireplaces. Herringbone oak floors. And windows overlooking the vineyards and courtyard of the Château. Absolutely sumptuous.
Of course, it makes sense that he left his mark throughout the space. Literally: he emblazoned his cote of arms everywhere from the walls to the ceiling. Talk about personal branding!
Since the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin took hold of Château du Clos de Vougeot in 1945, they are continuing the legacy. They restored the Château after both World Wars, are still restoring today (as you can see in the at the beginning of the article) and they even host a special gastronomic experience calledLa Table de Léonce.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, this Château du Clos de Vougeot visit was a phenomenal experience and I feel incredibly grateful and humbled for the invitation. It was very special to be immersed in such an important part of wine history. And also to be part of the future of wine, surrounded by such brilliant minds. A big thank you to the Burgundy School of Business and Château du Clos de Vougeot/Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin for this opportunity.
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