Polo tradition Archives - Jean Boucton Champagne

How to Ace a British Champagne Picnic (with a side of Polo)

Posted on 22 July 20227 November 2023 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

Ah, the great British summertime. Long windswept walks on stony beaches, candy-striped sticks of rock, and clutching onto wide-brimmed straw hats… No British summertime scene would be complete without a picnic. It’s become an essential part of a walk in the countryside, day at the beach, or afternoon polo fixture. The British summer sports season is the first word in elegant afternoon dining. Think strawberries and cream at the tennis and harris tweed picnic blankets at the rowing.

At Emsworth Polo Grounds on Saturday (July 20th) Jean Boucton Champagne, Emsworth Polo, Cliveden Hotel and the Honesty Group are coming together for perhaps the most elegant take on a quintessentially British day out. There won’t be a soggy sandwich in sight. Wicker baskets with perfectly starched gingham cloth covering freshly cut organic sandwiches, scotch eggs, handmade scones, and a chilled bottle of Jean Boucton champagne will be the order of the day. All served against a charming backdrop of bunting strewn Gazebos and freshly mown grass.

The afternoon of picnicking and polo will kick off with the first game at half-past two, with the final fixture – the Gold Cup Final – taking place at four. Toast the day with a glass of Jean Boucton champagne, which has been the drink of choice at the Margot Turner Polo Challenge (at the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst), the French Embassy, and the St Regis Hotel (international) Polo – so you’re in good company.

As the sun fades and the last drops of champagne are sipped, recline on a picnic blanket or wander around the Windsor countryside. This is British summertime, at its most classic stylish best. Stick around for the champagne sabering and raise a glass to the worthy winners. Even the temperamental British weather won’t be able to dampen your spirits.

Credit: Steve Wall Photography, Article: Sinead Cranna.

“Great crowd, amazing Champagne, a nice picnic afternoon”

Champagne, Picnic and Polo at Sandhurst

Posted on 23 June 20191 October 2019 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

Saturday (June 22nd) saw high-ranking army officials, polo players, and their guests descend on the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst for a day of polo and picnics. With the sun shining down and drinks flowing, it was time for the latest fixture, the Jean Boucton Heritage Cup, for the Margot Turner Challenge — to get underway.

The setting couldn’t have been more spectacular, with the white-washed Old College looming large in the background providing the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated day of polo. Spectators were welcomed into the exclusive event with a cooling champagne aperitif waiting for the fixtures to begin. First to compete was the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst (RMAS) and Stowe, next the RMAS faced off against the Royal Army Medical Services (AMS) in the Margot Turner Challenge.

Of course, no summer event could be complete without the addition of a picnic. The Argentinians favour an asado — or barbecue – at polo fixtures but Brits prefer to compliment an afternoon of sport with a traditional hamper full of food and a glass of champagne, with the Oyster Bar also proving a hit.

With the sun still beating fiercely the match came to a close and the victors made their way to the prize-giving ceremony. It was time to celebrate a great day which honoured an extraordinary woman, Margot Turner. Margot showed unstoppable tenacity in the face of many hardships during her time as a British military nurse during World War II and was the first woman in British nursing history to be taken a prisoner of war. Befittingly she was remembered by a display of teamwork and spirit, which so characterised her life. After an intense game, the AMS Polo team secured a victory against their opponents, RMAS. As the winners sabered a bottle of champagne and lifted the Jean Boucton Heritage Cup trophy, a spray of champagne signalled the end of an incredible day.

Captains & Subalterns Polo Tournament

Posted on 14 August 2017 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

Nestled in-between rolling hills in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, the Tidworth Polo Club hosted The Captains and Subalterns Tournament in July. The event, which is the second oldest polo cup in the world, saw a return for the Army Medical Services team (AMS), who had been out of action for a few years due to operational commitments. Over the course of two days, the Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force teams battled it out for top spot.

Arriving early to prepare the horses, the AMS team looked to be in good form kitted out in their StaaG polo shirts for their first face-off on Saturday. StaaG, one of the events sponsors, are a British lifestyle brand with a keen focus on design and engineering; it’s unique and exclusive polo tops were befitting of such an historic event. Lunch followed the first matches, giving guests, players, and sponsors the chance to indulge in a Jean Boucton champagne aperitif in the stunning surroundings.

Led by Lt Paul Erhahiemen QARANC, the AMS team narrowly missed out on first place, instead they secured a respectable second in their division. The team captain was in a celebratory mood as he honoured the tradition by sabering a bottle of Jean Boucton Champagne and toasting his team. The weekend came to a close as teams enjoyed glasses of champagne by the stables and guests admired the cars from Jaguar Land Rover which were dotted around the pitch.

Sponsors, Jean Boucton Champagne, StaaG Fashion, Jaguar Land Rover Marshall Military, were all in attendance to watch their shared vision for a weekend of champagne, polo, and new partnerships become a reality.

Jean Boucton teams up with Jaguar Land Rover for the Polo season

Posted on 14 June 201715 August 2017 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

At its core, Jean Boucton Champagne has a passion for all things unique and exclusive. This explains the affinity between champagne and Polo, and its latest partnerships. Continuing to collaborate with those who hold the same ideals, Jean Boucton Champagne recently partnered with the Army Medical Services polo (AMS) team and Jaguar Land Rover.

The AMS team, which is comprised of four Royal Army medical corps, has a long and rich polo playing history but was only recently resurrected after operational commitments forced a hiatus from the sport, while Jean Boucton Champagne through it’s relationships with a number of luxury brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, London jewellers de Beers and St Regis Hotels continues to be a firm fixture at Polo events up and down the country.

The recent Captains and Subalterns Trophy tournament at Tidworth Polo Club saw the AMS team demonstrate its tremendous skills against a backdrop of beautiful countryside, mingling spectators, and champagne aperitifs, with the winners undertaking the ancient art of sabrage, championed by Napoleon and his men.

The event also gave Jean Boucton Champagne the chance to team up with Jaguar Land Rover. The pairing is an exciting one, which came about due to the shared passions of both companies. People are at the heart of everything Jaguar Land Rover does, and innovation is a byword for the environmentally responsible brand. Perhaps most poignantly of all, both Jean Boucton and Jaguar Land Rover have a strong held respect for history and heritage, with Jaguar Land Rover’s lengthy legacy traced back to 1922 and the first Jaguar motorcycle sidecars.

A history of innovation, a respect for craftsmanship, and a penchant for people unites Jean Boucton Champagne and Jaguar Land Rover who were a fitting addition to the Captains and Subalterns Trophy tournament at Tidworth Polo Club.

With an ambitious Polo program in place for the coming seasons, Jean Boucton Champagne continues to bring its unique knowledge and exclusive high-end Vintage and Cuvee Champagnes to the most exciting events around and through it’s partnerships solidifies it’s reputation among some of the world’s leading luxury brands.

Gold Cup Finale

Posted on 26 February 20171 April 2017 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

Bringing guests closer to the heart of polo and celebrating what is authentic about this historic sport, Polo in White is an exclusive new franchise by Jean Boucton Champagne. The Polo in White Gold Cup was the first polo event of the new Polo in White franchise, which aims to take guests ‘behind the scenes’ of polo. The Cup, which was held between the 12th and 24th July, took the form of a 12 goal tournament hosted at Emsworth Polo Club, Berkshire.

In keeping with the new Polo in White Franchise, The Polo in White Gold Cup took the sport back to its roots with exclusive insights into the world of polo. A traditional Argentinian asado, or barbecued lunch, was followed by a private tour of the stables. Guests were given unrivalled access to players and patrons at the traditional lunch which took place beside the pitch. With authentic food and chic countryside tables, guests experienced the family aspect of polo and the authentic lifestyle that accompanies the sport. After lunch, Facundo Guevara, professional polo player and Polo in White ambassador, took guests to the stables. Here they could enjoy a glass of Champagne Jean Boucton Grand Heritage 2006, whilst learning more about the horses from Facundo.

The Polo in White Gold Cup was the main event of the season and was co-organised by Jean Boucton Champagne and Polo Chic Events, in collaboration with Facundo Guevera. The day ended with a prize giving from Jean-Christophe Boucton, of the Boucton Champagne family, to the tournament winner, Emlor Polo team. A traditional sabrage of a Magnum by the captain of the winning team offered guests another ‘behind the scenes’ look into the world of polo.

Guests including Champagne ambassadors, the club owner, finalists, winning teams, and VIP’s, all came together to enjoy Champagne Cocktails after the prize giving. Champagne Jean Boucton Cuvée Blanc de Blanc was served to guests, and made a fitting end to the special day which took polo back to its roots of family, farming, tradition and passion.

Launch of the Polo Season at De Beers

Posted on 19 July 20161 October 2019 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

Jean Boucton Champagne celebrated the launch of the polo season with an exclusive evening hosted by De Beers, Mayfair. Polo players, members of the press, and VIP guests enjoyed exclusive access to the diamond jeweller’s private atelier, where they experienced Jean Boucton Champagne and a selection of innovative canapes. The evening celebrated the values and relationship that polo and Jean Boucton Champagne share, and was a fitting start to the polo season.

As the champagne flowed and canapes were enjoyed, VIP guests and professional polo players, such as Facundo Guevarra, mingled with De Beers’s executives, and Champagne ambassadors. Guests sampled canapes created by 3 Michelin star pastry chef, Joakim Prat. Prat, from Maître Choux, has previously worked as Head Pastry Chef at Joël Robuchon’s acclaimed London restaurant, L’Atelier. He is renowned for respecting the history of choux, whilst also looking to the future with his innovative flavours and savoury options. The master pastry chef collaborated with Jean Boucton Champagne to create the perfect patisseries to pair with the champagne. Guests discovered Prat’s passion for artistry and style, and enjoyed the sophisticated pairing of Champagne and Choux at the event!

As well as the delicious canapes, the exclusive venue made guests feel they were part of something very special, and offered them the chance to experience the world of Diamonds, polo and Champagne. This year’s hosts, De Beers, allowed guests to access some of their private collection. Marvelling at the diamond jewellers pieces, guests were given an insight into the elegance and simplicity of De Beers’s diamonds. With over a century of diamond expertise, De Beers is recognised globally as pioneers in diamond jewellery design. Guests were able to experience first-hand De Beers’s unrivalled knowledge and artistry, as well as the jewellers respect for heritage and refinement.

Together with celebrating the new polo season, the evening was also a chance to introduce guests to Jean Boucton Champagne’s new enterprise, Polo in White. The Launch of the Polo Season event will be held every year in different locations as part of the Polo in White concept. Polo in White is a fresh approach, which aims to associate the values of traditional businesses with Polo traditions, old and new. This authentic enterprise aims to bring polo back to its roots and celebrate family heritage, passion, and savoir fair. The Polo in White franchise will give guests access to the heart of polo. The opportunity to meet with players and share in a passion for the sport, is just one of the luxuries of getting to know polo authentically, from the inside.

The Launch of the Polo Season evening is one of the events building up towards the main summer event, the Polo in White Gold Cup. This polo tournament will allow guests to experience the traditions and elegant simplicity of the sport while enjoying Jean Boucton Champagne. The Launch of the Polo Season 2016 evening culminated in the polo shirt presentation. Facundo Guevara, team Captain and Polo in White Ambassador, was presented with a polo shirt by Veronica Munoz of the Argentinian Embassy and Polo Chic, as well as Jean-Christophe Boucton from Jean Boucton Champagne.

Jean Boucton Champagne invites you to work from the inside and explore polo’s values, traditions and passions, which are very close to those of champagne.

Polo Picnic at Ham Polo Club with the Royal Yeomanry

Posted on 19 July 20158 January 2017 by Julien Ivanowich

Blessed with fabulous June weather Champagne Jean Boucton were delighted to be involved in the first polo picnic of the season, hosted by HAM Polo Club in honour of the regimental polo fund launch.

A crowd of around 400 people enjoyed a number of games including the feature match, which pitted Ham against the light Cavalry Army Reserve regiment the Royal Yeomanry, who we will be supporting for the coming season and it is a collaboration which feels to be a very natural one due to our shared values, traditions and savoir-faire.

“Great crowd, amazing Champagne, a nice afternoon of Polo at HAM.”

With the matches played and the prizes handed out the afternoon concluded with an aperitif with both the players and guests, where the players were given the opportunity to demonstrate their saber skills, through a sabrage exercise which is an old Champagne Boucton tradition!

Sante!

Pairing dinner at Cowdray House with St Regis Hotels

Posted on 7 July 20151 October 2019 by Jean-Christophe Boucton

‘The St. Regis International Cup is returning on Saturday the 16^th at Cowdray Park for the opening of the international Polo season in the UK. The High Goal Polo match will see St Regis Polo Connoisseur Nacho Figueras play on the Americas team against England.

This event will give Champagne Boucton the opportunity to associate with the world renowned St. Regis Group, offering the readers of Vogue, Marie-Claire, the Stylist, the Telegraph, InStyle, Emerald Street, Sheerluxe, The Resident Online and Square Mile the opportunity to experience Champagne Boucton Cuvée Blanc de Blancs which is part of their Gourmet Picnic Hamper.

Champagne Jean Boucton Blanc de Blancs is exclusively blended with Chardonnay and pairs perfectly with smoked salmon, Nacarii caviar, Tuscan chocolate and other delights to be found in the Hamper.

Carrying on with the St Regis Tradition of organizing post Polo match suppers, Champagne Boucton Blanc de Blancs and Champagne Jean Boucton Cuvée will also be served in the evening at the St Regis VIP ‘Downtown Abbey’ Style dinner hosted at Cowdray Park House, the house of Lord and Lady Cowdray.

Thank you

Category: Polo tradition