Toss the pencil and grab a pen. Get out your diary. Turn the pages to the weekend of 30 November – 1 December 2013. Now save the date for the Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival, because you won’t want to do anything other than celebrate “the magic of bubbles” on the lawns of Franschhoek’s iconic Huguenot Monument.
Great! Now surf your way to Webtickets and book your tickets, because they are going to disappear as quickly as your first glass of bubbly. Once that’s done, you can start planning your outfit. The theme for this year’s event is “black and white, with an emphasis on spots and stripes”, which is easy enough, so there’s no excuse to come in your latest floral print. In keeping with a tradition that is now as much a part of the festival as the bubbly, a prize will be awarded to the best dressed couple on each day. This year’s grand prize is a fantastic 2-night safari for two people (sharing) at Ngala Safari Lodge.
The festival will showcase South Africa’s finest Méthode Cap Classiques (MCC) along with an array of gastronomic delights from local restaurants that have firmly entrenched Franschhoek’s status as one of the world’s top culinary destinations.
Well-known MCC producers include Pierre Jourdan, Morena, Môreson, La Motte, Plaisir de Merle, Anthonij Rupert Wines, Simonsig, Villiera, and more. Some of France’s best Champagnes will be represented by brands like Billecart Salmon, Champagne Guy Charbaut, and Veuve Clicquot. Participating fine dining restaurants include The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Bread & Wine, Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant, Haute Cabrière, Café BonBon, and Huguenot Fine Chocolates, among others.
This priceless gourmet experience is the perfect excuse to spend a weekend exploring the boutiques and vineyards of the Franschhoek valley. Franschhoek has a stunning selection of accommodations, from the finest B&Bs to luxury boutique hotels, so you can enjoy every minute of the festival without a single glance at your watch.
What is “Cap Classique”?
“Cap Classique” is South Africa’s answer to champagne. It’s the name for any wine made in South Africa accordingly to the Methode Traditionnelle. The terms “Champagne” and “Champenoise” may only be used for wines made in the Champagne region of France.
The first Cap Classique wine was produced in 1971 by Frans Malan at Simonsig, under the name “Kaapse Vonkel”. Today, the global production is growing steadily and amounts to about 5,000,000 bottles a year (less than 2% of the Champagne region). In South Africa, unlike France, neither the area of grapes growing nor the grapes varieties are restricted, which gives producers much more room for creativity. Although a fledgling product, the quality of Cap Classique is permanently improving for the best enjoyment of South African bubbly-lovers.
Visit the Colmant website to find out more about Cap Classique.
Festival details:
When: 30 November and 1 December, 12 – 5pm
Where: Huguenot Monument, Franschhoek
Tickets: R200 per person (including a complementary tasting glass and tasting coupons). Under 18s enter for free. Tickets are available through Webtickets, but hurry as they are limited! The event is presented by MasterCard, so if you use your MasterCard card to pay for your tickets, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your ticket purchase, as well as a 10% discount on purchases made at the festival.
For more information visit www.franschhoekmcc.co.za and follow @Franschhoek_SA on Twitter.
Now that you’ve saved the date, booked your tickets, and are thinking about to wear, call up your friends and invite them along too. Make a weekend of it by booking into a gorgeous Franschhoek accommodation and enjoy the warm hospitality of South Africa’s culinary and Cap Classique capital.
