The White Club presents - A Wine Lovers Dream

The White Club and Parmigiani return to South Africa to host “A Wine Lovers Dream”: An exquisite evening of excellence with Domain de la Romanée-Conti

The White Club, an international wine and champagne private members club are hosting an exquisite journey of oenological excellence in Johannesburg and Cape Town this March.
 
Their presenting partner Parmigiani, the most luxurious watch brand in the world, is preparing to treat an exclusive group of 16 guests to a “once in a lifetime” experience with Domain de la Romanée-Conti, the most expensive wine in the world. Lalique, the worlds most beautifully designed crystal, glass and art, will also be co-hosting these magnificent Events.

Guests who attend the extravagant and extraordinary evenings will experience an unparalleled journey of the rarest and most legendary wines in the world. The events are to be held at “secret locations” to provide additional excitement and mystery for those privileged enough to attend, who will be collected by private car and driven to the location.

The Johannesburg event will be held on Thursday 21 March and the Cape Town event on Saturday 23 March. Principle wines that will be served at these events include Pétrus 1947, Château Cheval Blanc 1947, Château Latour 1958, Château Lafite Rothschild 1959 and Domain de la Romanée-Conti 1989, Le Montrachet 2007 and La Tâche 1962 amongst a total of 20 wines served.

The events will also include a “Culinary Chef's Challenge” that will create a competitive edge to the evening. Celebrated chefs will team up against each other, assisted by revered Sommeliers from the Country, to create their own seven-course gastronomical feast that will be paired with the illustrious wine list.

The Teams include Chef PJ Vadas from “Camphors”, the newly opened restaurant at Vergelegen Estate, assisted by Sommelier Luvo Ntezo from The One & Only Hotel and Christiaan Campbell from Delaire Graff assisted by Sommelier Manuel Cabello from Ellerman House. The Johannesburg teams will consist of Coco Reinharz from Sel et Poivre and Leanne Roberts and Charl Whitlock from De Waterkloof.

Malene Meisner, CEO, The White Club

Malene Meisner, CEO of The White Club, comments, “We wanted to create additional excitement and theatre around the events in South Africa this year. The secret locations and the culinary chefs challenge will create these added elements of enjoyment for our guests.”

Parmigiani, the most luxurious watch brand in the world, originating from Switzerland, partners The White Club events and links in well with the lavish lifestyle that this group has to offer. Guillaume Marx of Parmigiani speaks of their partnership: “Precision work is what lies between us as watch and wine lovers. It is what defines us. These similarities combined with a passion for the lavish and exclusive things in life are what make this partnership flourish.”

The White Club, which began “The World of First Growths” project in South Africa last year, will also be presenting semi-blind flights of Pinot Noirs including Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson and Creation wines against Domain de la Romanée-Conti. Glenelly Estate wines will also be included alongside Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

The chosen charity this year for The White Club and World of First Growth Events is the “Make a Difference” (M.A.D) charity pioneered by Francois Pienaar. A silent auction will be held on both evenings and all proceeds will be donated. This charity, created in 2003 aims to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged academically talented young South Africans by creating exceptional educational opportunities.

For the chance to purchase one of these golden tickets the price tag is R25,000 (JHB) and R20,000 (CT). For ticket enquiries please contact Shelley Webb on +27 (072) 386 6527 / shelley@whiteroomsa.com

 

Vilafonte and Epicurean Impress at Burgundy

Chateau de Mercurey

Twelve pre-phylloxera Domaine Romanée-Conti wines tasted at exclusive The White Club event in Burgundy, France.

A very small and exclusive group of luxurious wine lovers were hosted last month for a unique weekend extravaganza in Burgundy, France. The White Club, an international wine club for private members, partnered with Parmigiani for a 'once in a lifetime' event with Domaine Romanée-Conti and the legendary Aubert de Villaine. DRC is known as the world's most important wine producer.

Aubert de Villaine

 Domaine Romanée-Conti, also the world's most expensive wines were served alongside Henri Jayer – another legendary wine producer from Burgundy. Henri Jayer treasures were served blind, four times, as Jokers for the privileged crowd and the guests were astounded by the impressive selection of twelve pre-phylloxera Domaine Romanée-Conti wines served during the weekend which totaled a mind-blowing 9727 Euros on average per bottle.

Domaine Romanée-Conti

 Guests were accommodated at the exquisite 19th Century “Haussman” style chateau 'Chateau de Mercurey' situated amongst the Vineyards in Burgundy, and experienced the most ambitious eight decade tasting of Domaine Romanée-Conti. The White Club served these exceptional wines in 'lead free' Zalto glasses and 100 point Lalique Glasses designed in partnership with James Suckling for guests to experience the ultimate tasting. A one-of-a kind luxury water was also chosen to accompany the exceptional tasting and menu, 'Gize', a unique goldfiltered water from Canada.

Within the line up, there were two wines presented from South Africa, namely Vilafonte and Epicurean, which impressed the group immensely. The Chateau owner commented that Vilafonte M was a revelation for South African wines, stating “I only drank Burgundy until now”. 

Malene Meisner, CEO of The White Club commented “In 62 hours we experienced 112 World Class Wines – what a Weekend!” 

Favourites for Malene Meisner were Romanee Conti 23, Romanee Conti 56, Romanee Conti 89, La Tache 47, Romanee Conti St Viviant 21, Petrus 47 and Margaux 29 and commented “The weekend was exceptional and will probably never again be repeated in my lifetime”
For more Information and upcoming events visit : The White Club

Aubert de Villaine and Malene Meisner

Malene Meisner, CEO of The White Club

First Event at David Higgs’ New Restaurant 'Five Hundred'

The White Club, a private wine and champagne connoisseurs club, were honoured to hear last week that well renowned South African chef David Higgs will open 1 week early to host 'The World of First Growths' event- the very first event at his new restaurant 'Five Hundred' at the exquisite Saxon Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg.

'Five Hundred' is the brain child of David Higgs, recently appointed as Head Executive Chef at The Saxon. The newly converted Presidential Suite will feature open-kitchen-style theatre so that his privileged guests can enjoy the entertainment of constant interaction with David and his team, as he prepares his exquisite dining delights.

David had officially stated the new restaurant opening as the 1st November 2012 but was so impressed by the The White Club and The World of First Growths, he made the decision to open 1 week earlier to host this incredible impressive wine and dinner event which will be held on Thursday 25 October 2012 instead.

The World of First Growths is an awe-inspiring wine and food pairing experience that has been hosted around the globe this year and which features the best wines in the world. South Africa's events will be held in October in both Johannesburg and Cape Town and will kick off at 'Five Hundred' on Thursday 25th October, followed by an impressive lunch at the famous Delaire Graff Wine Estate in Stellenbosh on Friday 26th October and finalising with a magnificent Dinner at The TAJ Hotel in Cape Town on Saturday 27th October.

Privileged guests will be treated to the most astounding personalised paired cuisine from the Chefs to compliment rare and majestic wines such as Cheval Blanc 1947, Chateau Mouton 1928, Chateau Latour 1925, Chateau Margaux 1929 and Chateau Lafite 1961. 

The World of First Growths will also be featuring 6 South African wines chosen to represent the best of South African First Growth wines; MR de Compostella 2008, Vergelegen 'V' 2007, Vilafonte Series M 2009, Waterford Estate 'The Jem' 2007, Epicurean 2006 and Columella 2009. For more information on these events please contact shelley@whiteroomsa.com 072 3866527 or go to www.thewhiteclub.com.

South African Wines Join The Ranks of Royalty

Wine lovers will be thrilled to hear that six South African wines now form part of the exclusive ‘First Growths’ tastings, held by an international private members club, The Parmigiani White Club (TWC). 

Each year this exclusive club conducts tastings all over the world and earlier this year, for the first time ever, South Africans were introduced to the ‘First Growth’ wines series. As the wine world is ever-evolving, today the term ‘First Growth’ has come to mean not only to Bordeaux wines, but indeed ‘wines of the most exceptional quality’.

The internationally acclaimed non-profit private members' club, TWC, confirmed that the six South African wines that professional tasters selected to form part of the ‘First Growths’ series are, MR de Compostella 2008 (97), Vergelegen V 2007 (95), Vilafonté Series M 2009 (95), Waterford Estate The Jem 2007 (96), Epicurean 2006 (95) and Columella 2009 (95), and will all be introduced on the tasting nights. These will accompany the legendary Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia.

“It comes as no surprise that South African wines are ranked among these illustrious ‘First Growths’ wines and we are delighted to host two tastings in SA this year. We promise to those attending that the evenings will be unforgettable, glittering black tie experiences,” says CEO of the exclusive Wine Club International, Malene Meisner.

“Wine lovers have recognised that wines from the South African Cape Winelands rank among the best in the world and guests will have the exclusive opportunity to taste some of the world’s best wines, champagnes and sparkling wines as ‘First Growths’ are considered among the most sought-after wines in the world,” Meisner concludes.

Over the past few years some of the top South African restaurants and hotels have regularly found themselves among the top 50 restaurants in the world. It is thus gratifying to know that South Africa’s culinary expertise is keeping abreast of the country’s winemaking expertise. After all, wine and food are inseparable twins.

The Parmigiani White Club will travel to Vienna, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Istanbul, Mumbai, Zurich, London, Madrid, Chicago, New York and Burgundy, where the six SA wines will be introduced to wine tasters and wine lovers from all over the world. The Club looks forward to hosting these elite tastings in Johannesburg on the 25th October and in Cape Town on the 26th and 27th October.

For further information on The White Club and the tastings visit: www.thewhiteclub.com
The language of wine is internationally understood, and these six wines will prove to be the most worthy ambassadors.

About TWC

The White Club is a private members club specializing in the finest and rarest wines in the world. Access to the club is by invitation only, and is limited to only 50 members. The White Club is all about sharing the unique moment when a truly great wine is opened and this is the place where the grandest wines will be opened and enjoyed among like-minded people, not just kept as trophies or investments.

The list of wines enjoyed by the members of The White Club are truly amazing, and include such rarities as Dom Perignon Róse 1959 (The rarest champagne in the world), Heidsieck 1907 (Shipwreck Champagne), Romanee Conti 1923 (the rarest Romanee Conti), Lefleur 1947, Mouton Rothschild 1945 and d’Yquem 1921.

They arrange around 10 public tastings each year all around the world in the most exiting venues and include the finest cuisine specially prepared by the world’s most talented chefs.