Wine Concepts French Champagne Festival was an even better success this year than in the past. Why?
Because they changed it from a Friday evening to a Saturday afternoon affair
The change was much appreciated by the guests, who came in their droves
How special to spend an afternoon tasting the top Champagne marques and enjoying some canapés for R500 a person:
less expensive than a single bottle
A warm and sunny day at The Vineyard hotel brought out all the enormous tortoises
Mike greets Lynne; they were both dressed to match the Bow Ties and Boas theme
Shawn Mathyse and Bianca Brand of Ken Forrester promoting Billecart Salmon
The Billecart Salmon Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru really impressed
No boa or bow tie - admission refused!
He said that a boa is his reptile cousin... Sorry, only feather boas were admitted!
He said that a boa is his reptile cousin... Sorry, only feather boas were admitted!
Very fresh oysters could be bought
Good to see Piper Heidsieck Champagne with impressive new packaging
The blue bottle has a map of the Mediterranean and is a semi-sweet called Piscine (Swimming pool),
which the young are demanding as they have a taste for sweeter wines
We prefer the crisper Champagnes; as sauvage as they can be
MC for the afternoon was amusing broadcaster Guy McDonald
He did have a bit of job being heard over the crowd who were enjoying themselves
Jacquesson 741 NV Champagne is always enjoyable
and Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru, which Lynne used to buy in London, was one of the best tasted that afternoon
Not so well known here, but definitely one to try, and it doesn’t break the bank at R636 a bottle
Also on offer were three from Drappier; the Brut Nature was much talked about in the room
Nicole Kuhnert was promoting prestige brands...
...Champagne Forget-Brimont and Louis Roederer
A bit of Bolly my dear? Absolutely. Bollinger were showing the Special Cuvée and their Rosé
Marie Silvestre loves her Mumm and has come from France to promote it
Michael White and Jacqueline Lahoud, looking glamorous, were enjoying the day
Laurent Perrier had their magnum and a very special offer for Christmas
The bottles of Cuvée Rose either side of the magnum are wearing a gorgeous metal cage
which is removable for adorning the next bottles of Laurent Perrier you buy
A bottle of LP and the cage come in a special box with two champagne glasses
And it costs the same as a normal bottle of Laurent Perrier. R649 from Wine Concepts
Good customers enjoying the day with wine merchant Michael Bampfield Duggan, owner of Wine Concepts
Malu Coleman, Maryna Calow, looking suitably glamorous
Maryna Calow and Charlene Nel having fun
Megan, Fiona, Dhanusha & Selina were also enjoying the day
On show, some high end BMWs
Glamour on the Veuve Clicquot stand
Congratulations and Kudos to Piper Heidsieck for a superb display
Are they meeting for the first time? Champagne is synonymous with romance.....
Time for the prize draw. Each ticket has a number and goes into a lucky draw
There were some fantastic prizes of Champagne, Champagne buckets and other accessories and books
Birthday Girl Lauren Ormesher
with her prize
A Laurent Perrier prize goes to another happy winner
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
