For centuries the French have had an unquenchable thirst that the wine supply could never satisfy. They would always eagerly await the new grape harvests and the new wines that followed. When the shortages were extreme, anger could result in serious consequences and rumor has it that the storming of the Bastille may have been one of these events!
Over the last 50 years, the marketing forces, economic circumstances and government influences have been so favorable that the French anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm for the new wines had crossed the borders of Europe, spanned the Atlantic to North and South America and more recently invaded Asia. What started as a local French phenomenon has captured the world. “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé.”
Thanks to Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Cebu City has joined the ranks of avid wine loving cities around the world with its biggest ever celebration of the Beaujolais Nouveau 2007. The festivities included a ceremonial uncorking of the first bottle by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia , the French Ambassador to the Philippines, Gerard Chesnel, Le Club president Bernard Flour and dynamic GM Hans Hauri. A parade of waiters then distributed the Beaujolais to all guests while the Governor and Ambassador proposed a toast to good wine, good health and friendly international relations . The guests filled the beautifully decorated main ballroom which was converted into lush flowering gardens with white picket fences and larger than life photos of French castles that were used as backdrops courtesy of Daniel Carpentier of PDP Digital Inc. The fantastic ambience was equally matched with an impressive layout of carvings, cold cuts, cheeses and tasty delicacies.
The hosts for the evening were none other than Johnny Litton and Cory Quirino who masterfully steered the evening’s activities to perfection. The program progressed smoothly and quickly without a hitch throughout the night.
After a few moments to savor the delicious cocktails and discuss the characteristics of the Beaujolais 2007 the guests were entertained with lively, colorful Cancan numbers by the San Diego Dancers. Following a brief interlude to appreciate the food and wine, Vernie Varga took center stage with some French songs and sultry numbers which put the crowd in the party mood. An evening of perfection –authentic European ambience, beautiful, charming people, flowing wine and delicious appetizers.
The French community of Cebu was highly visible along with out of town visitors from Manila and foreign shores, as well. An honored guest that evening was Monsieur Yves-Dominque Ferraud the proud owner of the vineyard and producer of the Beaujolais wines that were served. Also present from Manila were Henri Ortiz, Administrator of the French Chamber of Commerce, and Bernard Flour, President of Le Club, who delivered an entertaining duet in French, “La Vie en Rose,” with Vernie Varga.
With the formalities over and the revelry reaching maximum level, it was time to party and dance to the lively music of the “Renaissance Band”. The dance floor was filled to capacity as the band delivered the most popular ballroom pieces from boogie, chacha , swing to foxtrot and tango or were they new dance steps yet to be identified? Then the raffling off of the grand prize: a trip to Paris, courtesy of Qatar Airways – which was won by The Freeman’s Lifestyle Executive Editor Marlinda Angbetic Tan. Congratulations!
The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel together with Le Club has brought the “Beaujolais Nouveau Day” celebration to new heights and put Cebu City on the map of the Beaujolais cities of the world. It has set a standard and established a precedent which has all the qualities of a long lasting tradition for the Marco Polo and Cebu City to match and uphold.
Congratulations to Hans Hauri and the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel team for a truly enjoyable celebration.