Celebrating a French grape harvest
At exactly a minute past midnight of every third Thursday of November each year, millions of cases of Beaujolais Nouveau young red wine make their way down the hills in the French region of Burgundy to the bars and cafés across France. Not all cases are unloaded within French boundaries, as more will soon be opened in other parts of the world.
The produce from the first yield will be poured out and around as a reward to those who helped in the harvest. French communities all over the globe celebrate this harvest fest, making it the world’s biggest wine event. This wine of varying fruity aromas is meant only to be enjoyed — not swirled, sniffed or rated, as one would do to red wines aged in oak barrels.
This merry-making half a world away comes to Manila once more as the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Le Club holds the 15th Soirée Beaujolais on Nov. 20 at the Harbor Garden Tent of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza at the CCP Complex, Pasay City.
According to FCC Le Club president Bernard Flour, the fete will be themed “Vive La France, Mabuhay Philippines!” to celebrate the ties that bind the Philippines and France — their ideals, cuisine, alluring countryside, diverse culture and love for fun and good food.
“This year’s celebration is doubly special because it marks the 20th founding year of FCC Le Club and the 60th anniversary of French-Philippine diplomatic relations,” Flour said.
He said that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is taking part as a special patron to showcase the country as a leading eco-tourism and adventure destination for the French tourist market.
Flour noted that Manila’s version of the wine festival is regarded as among the best with the great food, entertainment and raffle prizes it offers annually.
“Because of the successful staging of the wine fest in previous years, Le Club will be holding the second Soiree Beaujolais in Cebu City on November 29,” he added.
Lifestyle columnist Johnny Litton and singer Leah Navarro will host the event to add a healthy measure of wit and humor.
Not to be missed is the fabulous raffle where some P800,000 worth of handsome prizes will be given away — the grand prize is a Manila-Paris round trip ticket from Air France-KLM along with a 17-day free use of a Peugeot 307 HDI car courtesy of Peugeot Open Europe.
To cap the evening, Brass Munkeys and Pinoy rock icons the Wally Gonzales Band with Joey Pepe Smith, will rock the night away in the dance party courtesy of AGS Four Winds.
Soirée Beaujolais is supported by BNP Paribas, Calyon, APC MGE, Jewelmer, Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Total (Philippines) Corp., Nescafe Gold, Acer, Oberthur Technologies, M. Lhuillier Jewellers, PDP Digital Inc., Red Coconut Beach Hotel, El Nido Resorts, Le Cellier French Wine Selection, Asian Eye Institute, Peugeot Open Europe and Air France-KLM.
Perennial benefactors are the Embassy of France, Deco Candles Inc., and Supply Oilfield Services, Inc. and Asiatype Publishing Services, with Lifestyle Asia and Concept One as media partners.
Tickets are P2,500, with part of the proceeds going to the Gawad Kalinga Legacy Project in Cavite of Rotary Club District 3810. Call Le Club at 813-9005 or 812-0433 or e-mail le_club@globelines.com.ph for details.
