Get the festive season into full swing with this year’s social calendar highlight – the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival ‘The ‘Magic of Bubbles’. The festival is set in the picture perfect Franschhoek Valley, an area rich with South African natural beauty and French heritage, and will take place over the weekend of 30 November to 2 December 2012.
Local Cap Classique producers, and their French counterparts from the Champagne region in France, will present their best bubblies over three fun-filled, festive days in a grand marquee situated on the manicured lawns surrounding Franschhoek’s famous Huguenot Monument.
Visitors will be able to taste some of France’s best Champagnes alongside the finest Cap Classiques to emerge from the wine cellars of South Africa. With the winemaking methods virtually the same in both regions, the success of a winemaker’s labours comes down to the terroir from which they source their grapes, and their finely honed skills – something that South African winemakers have mastered throughout the years.
Renowned wineries participating in this popular festival include, Colmant, Graham Beck Wines, Krone, La Motte, Morena, Môreson, Pierre Jourdan, Simonsig, Steenberg and Villiera. World renowned Champagnes will be represented by brands such as Billecart Salmon, Tribaut and Veuve Clicquot.
Visitors to the festival will also be treated to a range of gastronomic delights presented by the local restaurants that have firmly entrenched Franschhoek’s status as one of the world’s premier culinary destinations. Some of the participating fine dining restaurants include well known establishments such as The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Bread & Wine, Mont Rochelle Hotel, Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant, The SalmonBar, Dieu Donné, Haute Cabrière, Roca, Café Bon Bon, Huguenot Fine Chocolates and Le Franschhoek.
A short wander down the main road in Franschhoek will uncover world-class shops and boutiques for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience, while the many winefarms within easy reach of the village add to the appeal of a weekend of celebrating Cap Classiques.
Those wishing to spend the night will be spoilt for choice with accommodation ranging from the finest bed and breakfasts to luxurious boutique hotels, all nestling in a picturesque and secure environment.
This year the festival will take full advantage of the Cape’s glorious summer evenings, with the festival open from 6pm to 10pm on Friday, 30 November, and then between 12pm and 5pm on both Saturday, 1st and Sunday, 2nd December 2012.
The theme for this year’s festival is black and white, with the emphasis on birds and bows, and in keeping with a tradition that is now as much a part of the festival as is the bubbly, a prize will be awarded to the best dressed couple.
Tickets cost R200 each, including access to the festival, a complimentary tasting glass and tasting vouchers. Tickets can be purchased through www.webtickets.co.za, with a 10% discount if they are purchased using a MasterCard card, but hurry as tickets are limited!
