Grande Provence is participating in the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival for the first time with its maiden Cap Classique, and is celebrating its new sparkling wine with a Wine & Dine Collaboration Dinner on 4 December, on the eve of the Festival on 5 and 6 December.
It is not surprising that MCCs and even Champagne will play an important role in the Collaboration Dinner, which will feature the Grande Provence MCC, Silverthorn MCC, Jacquart Champagne, and Lanson Champagne. The Dinner costs R1500, and includes the MCC and Champagne pairings.
Grande Provence Executive Chef Darren Badenhorst has created a pairing menu to complement the lively character of the MCCs and Champagnes.
John Loubser’s Silverthorn Jewel Box 2011 will be paired with griddled marron ceviche, Alaskan crab, charred corn, and elements of citrus. This will be followed by the pairing of Jacquart Extra Brut Champagne with Franschhoek trout gravlax, served with a mosaic of beetroot scales, iced baby radish, and vineyard alfalfa.
The maiden Grande Provence Brut Méthode Cap Classique 2009 by Karl Lambour will be paired with a selection of cold smoked tuna, seared tuna, saffron tomato, panko and yolk sphere, and a dash of anchovy crème. The Dinner will conclude with Lanson Black Label Champagne, paired with frozen mulberry yoghurt parfait and liquorish glazed beets drizzled with a port and violet syrup.
On Saturday and Sunday 5 and 6 December ‘The Magic of Bubbles’ Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival will be held at the Huguenot Monument, from 12h00 – 17h00. The dress theme is ‘Black & White with a touch of Bling’, and the best-dressed couple will win a MasterCard gift card to the value of R5000.
Our country’s finest MCCs and select French Champagnes will be on offer, as will be tasters from local Franschhoek restaurants. Franschhoek restaurants offering food are Bread & Wine, Haute Cabriere, L’Ermitage, Le Franschhoek, the Restaurant at Grande Provence, and Mont Rochelle.
Local MCCs available to taste are Pierre Jourdan, Morena, Môreson, La Motte, Boschendal, Groot Constantia, Colmant, Genevieve, L’Ormarins, JC le Roux, Pongracz, Graham Beck, Steenberg, and Villiera, Maison, Grande Provence, and Le Lude. French Champagnes represented are Piper Heidsieck, Billecart Salmon, and Veuve Clicquot.
Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. 12h00 – 17h00. Tickets R200 per person, R120 for Jackie Burger style workshop, available at www.webtickets.co.za www.franschhoek.co.za Twitter: @Franschhoek_ZA
The Restaurant at Grande Provence, R45, Franschhoek. Tel (021) 876-8600. www.grandeprovence.co.za Twitter: @Grande_Provence R1500 per person..
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here