Friday’s do not get better than Veuve Clicquot’s #Yellowweek leading up to the famed Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo at Val De Vie estate.
It all started in a Canteen in the Cape City bowl, 12h00 sharp, a small group of us received lavishly lapped glasses of Veuve Clicquot yellow label and curiously received a clue.
This was the start of a curated afternoon which when dubbed #VCcuratedCapeTown.
We were to discover each clue, one after the other, in order to patriotically explore our city step by step, destination by destination.
CLICQUOT. CANTEEN. CHEF
We were treated to The Chefs Warehouse ‘Tapas for 2’ and this was the only part of the day that was going to be dished out on a silver platter.
Greeted by Chef Graham Oldfield who I have known since the start of my Hospitality career ( a story for another day) we were welcomed with a bespoke creation Veuve Clicquot Chefs Warehouse Signature Oyster, designed to complement the flavour profile of Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label being 2/3 Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and 1/3 Chardonnay so think Fresh Bread Dough, Vanilla, Apple, Peach, Quince & Pecan on the nose.
To fully engulf in the champagne Graham incorporated the champagne into various elements of the dish from the Veuve Clicquot velouté that corsetted the buttery morsel to Veuve Clicquot jellies, cucumber and bulbess caviar.
We then meandered through various fish dishes, keeping flavours simple but experimental and playful. Taking on elements from their sister property Thali in preparing a humble yet robust hake Dish.
CLICQUOT. CONTEMPORARY. CIRCA
It shames me to type this however, I had never visited CIRCA, having passed it almost every visit to The Waterfront, it seems an utter shame. Although I am spoilt considering there’s an Everard Read in Franschhoek a stone’s throw away from home.
Everard Read in Cape Town opened its doors in the V&A Waterfront in September 2016, with CIRCA Cape Town unveiled shortly thereafter in November (across the road from the existing gallery space).
This year, Everard Read / CIRCA presented ‘Enemy of Foe’ the first solo exhibition by Blessing Ngobeni – also featured this year as one of the selected artists at the Everard Read / CIRCA Main booth at CTAF Cape Town Art Fair.
Blessing Ngobeni flew in from Johannesburg to present his ‘Enemy of Foe’ works as part of the Curated Cape Town experience.
Enemy of Foe follows on from Ngobeni’s 2017 Johannesburg Art Fair large-scale installation Broken Tongue: a series of monumental painted collage works, a figurative metal sculpture, an animation and performance.
Here in his 2018 solo presentation, Blessing talked of reasserting his focus and developing material languages into a brand new body of artworks.
Dissecting and critiquing the powers that be, Ngobeni continues to overtly address the corruption and hypocrisy of the contemporary ruling powers.
CLICQUOT. CHOPPER. CAPE TOWN.
The Cape encompasses some of South Africa’s most spectacular scenery and coastline – and nothing, but nothing beats exploring the Mother City from the air in your own steel bird.
Come through Fifty Shades of Cape Town!
From the rugged majesty of Table Mountain to the wild Atlantic, the perspective offered is awe-inspiring … the ultimate viewing of a city that dazzles with its blend of dramatic scenery and secret charms.
Cape Town Helicopters’ Atlantico flight, which flips from the Waterfront down the city’s entire Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay.
Flight includes viewing of famous landmarks :
- Cape Town Stadium
- Four Clifton beaches
- Camps Bay strip
- Twelve Apostles
Glass of Veuve Clicquot in hand, there can be few experiences that beat taking to the skies and viewing the jewel in Africa’s crown from the air.
Well, that and a 6-carat engagement ring proposal would be just a tad nice. Just a tad!
CLICQUOT. CITYSCAPE. CELEBRATION.
In homage to Veuve Clicquot’s 200th anniversary, it seemed only fitting to finish our curatedly explorative afternoon abed the cityscape at the newly opened Silo District hotel the Radisson Red for a fine rosé celebration.
With exceptional views of Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront, the RED Roof has quickly become a celebrated early to late hangout.
After a day filled with wanderlust and Champagne, we loved the delicious snacks courtesy of the charming Veuve Clicquot food truck.
CLICQUOT. COUTURE. CHUKKAS.
Home to talented Polo Players, celebrated celebrity couture and of course, Ryk Neething Val De Vie Estate was the place to be, come Saturday.
Talented local and international players captivated and entertained fans with a fast-paced game as Team Jaeger-LeCoultre dominated with a 6.5 to 1 victory against Eva-last.
Half a goal was given to Jaeger-LeCoultre on handicap.
The main match featured top South African national players Tom de Bruin, Le Roux Hendriks and Jabulani Khanyile.
With a burst of energy in the last minute, Team Vodacom took the main match against Team Veuve Clicquot with a final score of 10 to 9.
On the day, Aki van Andel was named the Most Valuable Player and Milo, owned and played by Shaun Brokensha, recognised as the day’s Best Playing Pony.
After an action-packed day of polo, the afternoon ended in a surprise moment which saw guests celebrating Veuve Clicquot Rosé’s 200 Year Anniversary with a 6-tier pink and silver custom-designed cake and the last toast to #ClicquotintheSun.
