Tradition A L’Innovation at Soiree Beaujolais 2014

Banners and heralders proclaim the much awaited news: LE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU EST ARRIVE! One of the romantic, nocturnal, and frivolous rituals in the wine world begins.

Soiree Beaujolais 2014 will be held at the elegant Tent City of the Manila Hotel on 20 November 2014 with the theme Tradition A L’Innovation [Tradition and Innovation].

Members of the Board of Directors of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jean Caillard, Steven Rouche, Cyril Rocke, Bernard Flour and Martin Ruby.

At one minute past midnight every third Thursday of November, more than a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey from little villages and towns especially in the Beaujolais region of Morgon, Brouilly, Macon Villages, and Cinsault Rose’ through a sleeping France, and eventually to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world.

For the past 23 years, Le Club, or the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, celebrates SOIREE BEAUJOLAIS to welcome the harvest and arrival of this young wine, and share with its friends in our country, the year's flavor and aroma.

Soiree Beaujolais 2014 will be held at the elegant Tent City of the Manila Hotel, to accommodate more than 1,500 elite and elegant guests from the diplomatic, corporate, and social circles. Likewise, it is a happy reunion of all French nationals based in the Philippines.

Annually, the Soiree Beaujolais adopts a highly visual theme for its events: from icons of France, the Moulin Rouge, the Loire castles, the streets of Paris. This year, the theme is TRADITION A L'INNOVATION: Tradition and Innovation.

Because France has always been a leading innovator in the areas of technology such as the fabrication of spacecraft, airplanes, automobiles, underwater equipment, smart and intelligent information technology; as well as the arts: cinema, fashion, footwear, jewelry, and more.

To be interpreted by leading Philippine stylist and Event Director Mari Hilario of Creative Files, Inc. the entire Tent City will show the dynamic movement from turn of century Paris in the 20s, to post modern France in the 21st Century by way of murals, visual collages, lighting, music, and the interpretative renderings in dance and other theatrical art forms.

Mr. Cyril Rocke

The Chamber President, Mr. Cyril Rocke, will welcome all the guests; the Keynote Message will be delivered by His Excellency, Gilles Garachon, the Ambassador of France to the Philippines, and the Chamber Board of Directors headed by Soiree Beaujolais Committee Chairperson and Past President Bernard Flour who will lead in the uncorking of the new bottles, and declaring the arrival and formal tasting of Beaujolais Nouveau.

The soiree will also serve as the perfect platform in the delivery of the past-Haiyan efforts of the French business community (Lafarge Cement Services Philippines, Schneider Electric, L’Oreal, Total, Sanofi, DataOne, Pacific Hemisphere, Asiatype, AGS Fourwinds are some of the French corporations involved) after exactly a year since the devastating calamity. Spearheaded by the French Chamber of Commerce under its CSR arm called the France-Philippines United Action (FPUA), a task force ensuring that efforts are sustained, well organized, and have the most impact, it is both humbling and elating to announce that the chamber led by the FPUA’s Leadership Committee has taken its promise and commitment to direct projects in various domains mainly in reconstruction of homes, medical clinics, and livelihood programs for the victims. Currently, 43 over 74 homes were built in Site 1 and Site 2 is under construction.

 Ms. World First Runner-up Gwendolyn Ruais

French-Filipina beauty and Ms. World First Runner-up Gwendolyn Ruais hosts the lovely evening and elegant performances through the decades will be performed by a cacophony of dancers and musicians thematically dressed up for the evening.

Non-stop decades of dancing will then ensue with the Exzel Band.

All the wine, cheese, and delicatessen are being especially flown in from France, while the Manila Hotel will lay out a gastronomical delight including exotic hors d'oeuvres, charcuterie, fresh oysters, a myriad of salad concoctions, the hot French and continental cuisine, the pastries and fabulous desserts which the hotel is patronized for.

Major Sponsor EDI Peugeot will showcase its signature cars, and Marithe’ + Francois Girbaud will punctuate the evening with a dazzling denim show by the Philippine All Star performers.

Major Partners of the event are: Banco De Oro Unibank, Inc., Lafarge Cement Services Philippines Inc., Total (Philippines) Corporation, Pacific Hemisphere Development Corporation, and Thales Australia Limited Philippine Branch Office.

Participating Partners are DataOne Asia Philippines Inc., Jones Lang Lasalle, JT International (Philippines) Inc., Oberthur Technologies, Powertech Asia Pacific, Inc., Schneider Electric, SDV Philippines, Inc., Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co., Le Cellier French Wine Selection, Qatar Airways, M Lhuillier Jewellers, AGS Four Winds International Movers, Jewelmer Joaillerie, Asian Eye Institute, El Nido Resorts, Coffral Access and Shoring, TraveLife Magazine and TraveLife TV, Dragonpay, The Manila Hotel, and Perennial Partner -- The Embassy of France in the Philippines.

For those who would like to join in celebrating the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau, and participate in this nocturnal, cultural, and gastronomic experience, going to Soiree Beaujolais 2014 is a must.

For limited tickets to the event, please call the French Chamber at 4917708 or purchase them online at www.ccifrance-philippines.org.