Upon arrival, smartly dressed guests are welcomed with a familiar and relished sound – the omnipresent echo of corks popping from the nape of a chilled bottle. The effervescent elixir cascades to the depths of each slim flute; a temporary home until they meet their end on the palate of a welcoming guest. The Grand Marquee, and its resident bubbly superstars, have long awaited their loyal attendees. As the clock strikes noon, clusters of sophisticated ladies and gentlemen begin to stream in, parading along the verdant lawns of Franschhoek’s Huguenot Monument. Akin to the soft, harmonious jingle of a windchime on a breezy day, the clinking of glasses fills the air; the celebration has begun.

The Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival is an annual summer event in the charming village of Franschhoek, one of the pearls of the Cape Winelands. Notorious for being one of the finest events on South Africa’s social calendar, the festival attracts well-to-do from across the country and beyond to attend the consistently sold-out occasion. Nestled within South Africa’s prized gourmet capital, the festival is a celebration of locally produced Méthode Cap Classique’s/MCC’s and international Champagnes, making it an unmissable event for the champagne aficionado, bon vivant and socialite.

Franschhoek, or “French Corner” in Dutch, is one of the oldest towns in South Africa with an instantly identifiable French heritage. Situated on the grounds of the Huguenot Monument, the Cap Classique and Champagne Festival succeeds in paying tribute to the early French Huguenot refugees, who settled in Franschhoek in 1688. The classic touch of France is a clear presence at the festival, confirmed not only by the plentiful French champagnes available to be tasted alongside local MCCs, but also by the pure joeie de vivre that embodies all in attendance. While originally established to attract visitors during Franschhoek’s quiet times, the event certainly goes beyond such a modest expectation, given its reputation as one of the biggest Cap Classique and Champagne Festivals on the African continent.

Committed to providing an exceptional tasting experience, the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival features 64 stalls to be perused by its guests. Champagne is a well-protected title, reserved solely for bubbly that has been produced in France’s Champagne region. The festival offers a number of iconic Champagnes to be sampled, including Champagne Tattinger, Billecart-Salmon and Maison Veuve Clicquot to name a few. The fertile terroir of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, however, assigns Franschhoek as an equally iconic site of Méthode Cap Classique’s, which have been carefully fashioned using the very same technique as traditional French Champagne. Guests are spoilt for choice with 24 local MCC producers on offer. Sip on the likes of prestigious MCC’s such as Colmant, Pongrácz, La Motte and Graham Beck as your eyes trace the exquisite scene of Franschhoek’s valley and mountain backdrop.

Sample the MCCs and Champagne in style. Not only does the festival overflow with the finest variety of bubbly, but it also oozes a similar refined elegance that is observed at haute couture events. While the original dress code is typified by a classic Black & White theme, a recent event featured a breakaway from tradition with a regal Blue & White theme. Hoping to clasp the Best Dressed Couple prize at the festival’s Saturday event, attendees do not fall short of exemplifying just the right amount of glamour for a semi-formal outdoor occasion. From a bird’s eye view, the grounds of the Huguenot Monument are flooded with attendees donning flattering summer frocks, crisp button-up shirts, rimmed sun hats and oversized sunspecs.

You can rest assured that the bubbles won’t go to your head. Make it an all-encompassing tasting experience, as you indulge in the variety of gourmet delicacies available at the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival. May it be its fresh raw oysters, cheese and bread board, prosciutto or salami meat baskets, Franschhoek has been labelled South Africa’s treasured culinary scene for good reason. As late afternoon approaches, grab a bottle of bubbly that left the best impression, take a seat within the Grand Marquee, and indulge in the tasting of incomparable food and drink.  The accompanying live music, characterised by a joyous lounge style sound, is sure to make the experience that much more enjoyable, and might even hypnotize you to the point that you find your feet pulling you to the dancefloor, as the jovial luxury lifestyle event gradually draws to a close.

Given the event’s popularity, it is advised to secure accommodation well in advance. Find further developments on this year’s event, and additional information regarding the exquisite luxury boutique hotels that Franschhoek has to offer, by visiting: http://franschhoek.org.za

It is no surprise that the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival is often referred to as “The Magic of Bubbles”. The delightful French heritage, fabulous dress code, complementary culinary delicacies, and celebratory ambiance are supporting acts, but the true stars of the show are none other than the fabulous variety of Cap Classique’s and Champagnes on offer. Personifying the pure luxury that can be procured with mere patience and devotion to excellence, Franschhoek’s bubbly tasting extravaganza is not something you will want to miss out on experiencing for yourself.