Just when you thought Shanghai already had every conceivable type of food and drink festival, a Champagne fest rolls into town. Welcome to Shanghai, everybody.
Next weekend, The Peninsula Shanghai is throwing a three-day boozy bash celebrating everything Champagne. The Grande Affaire de Champagne will be all about that 'distinctive joie de vivre lifestyle of the Champagne region and vintage French culture'.
The Peninsula has a bumper line-up of fizzy-wine-related activities including a six-course, Champagne-paired Gala Dinner by celebrated French chef Philippe Mille and Sir Elly's Restaurant's Chef de Cuisine Han Zahner; a Champagne and caviar tasting class; an oyster Champagne brunch; and a special masterclass led by Champagne journalist Antoine Gerbelle. These are the more exclusive experiences of the weekend, with prices ranging from 988RMB to 2,888RMB (plus the standard hotel service and tax).
If dropping a grand plus isn't in the cards, but you still want to have a lazy, beautiful weekend sipping on Champers, there will also be a 'Garden Party' at No. 1 Waitanyuan – the gorgeous house and grounds of the Former British Consulate, now managed by the Peninsula. The lawn soiree on Saturday and Sunday (11am-6pm) will have a 50RMB entry, but this can then be redeemed for consumption from any of the on-site Champagne brands at their booths. Glasses of fizz will start from around 70-80RMB each and your selfie game should be strong as The Peninsula has partnered with the Shanghai Auto Museum to showcase a range of vintage vehicles during the Garden Party.
Participating bubbly brands in the Grande Affaire de Champagne include Deutz, Dom Perignon, Duval-Leroy, Gosset, Henriot, Laurent-Perrier, Piper-Heidsieck and Taittinger. Here's to the high life and all you Champagne socialists.
No.1 Waitanyuan 33 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Nan Suzhou Lu, Huangpu district.
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