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

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 ChampagneEmsworth PoloCliveden 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

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.

Entrepreneur’s Club at 67 Pall Mall

Jean Boucton Champagne is on a quest to create the ultimate Champagne experience for its customers.  Whether you enjoy Champagne with friends and family, at sporting events, or sampling a glass at an exclusive venue, it’s about the overall experience. With that in mind, Jean Boucton has been working on creating a number of unique pop-ups and events for its customers. The Entrepreneur’s Club is the latest Jean Boucton initiative.

Guests arrived at 67 Pall Mall for the first event. The  exclusive private members club, located in the historic Pall Mall area of London, was a fitting venue given its reputation as the go-to place for wine aficionados and set the tone perfectly for an evening celebrating tradition, innovation, hard work, and passion.

The bespoke Champagne experience began in the cellar of the club with a glass of Jean Boucton Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2010. The cellar of the club, a former bank vault, is now home to its Grand Crus. After a welcome speech, guests were introduced to special guest Anne Charlotte Genet, the daughter of Jacques Genet, owner of the Charles Joguet Loire Valley Domaine based in Chinon.  Anne Charlotte shared her experiences of the wine making world with guests. The struggles she faced as a female entrepreneur in a male industry, and how she came to manage the domaine herself. What became clear is that passion, hard-work, humility, and of course savoir-faire, are at the heart of the high-quality wines coming from the domaine- and Anne Charlotte herself embodies these values.

The aperitif was followed by an afternoon lunch prepared by the club’s chef which guests enjoyed with a selection of Domaine Charles Joguet wines including Clos du Chêne Vert (Red 2011).  The lunch which came to an end with a glass of Jean Boucton Ratafia de Champagne. The bespoke experience created by Jean Boucton Champagne, MyFineCellar.com, and Mango Logistic was a huge success. Entrepreneurs and company owners will continue to meet 3 or 4 times a year to celebrate their shared passion, authenticity, and creativity. Traits that Jean Boucton Champagne values highly. The long and enjoyable lunch, filled with great food, drink, and company went on until the early evening with guests leaving with an increased understanding and appreciation for Champagne thanks to this bespoke event.

Pairing evening at the Hoxton

Champagne Jean Boucton was happy to welcome a group of connoisseurs for a Private Champagne tasting on Monday evening in the apartments of the Hoxton, 81 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU.

Based close to Reims in Champagne, Jean Boucton is owned and run by our family. The Hoxton is run in partnership with the Soho House Group.

Based In the middle of the vibrant Shoreditch nightlife scene, close to the City, this hip hotel is a short walk away from Old Street tube and Liverpool Street Station.

At the Hoxton, we welcomed everybody ‘at home,’ in the function spaces, which are designed in the style of a city apartment for a Champagne pairing evening.
During the tasting, three of our Champagnes, Jean Boucton Cuvee Blanc de Blancs (blended exclusively with Chardonnay grapes), Jean Boucton Reserver Rose, and Jean Boucton Premiere Cuvee (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier blended exclusively on vintage years) were paired with Canapés prepared by the Chef of the Hoxton.

This event was organised exclusively for Champagne Jean Boucton clients and opened to 12 privileged guests.

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Launch of the Polo Season at De Beers

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

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.

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“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

‘The St. Regis International Cup is returning on Saturday the 16th 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.

From the St. Regis International Cup hosted this year at Cowdray Park Polo Club, Midhurst, West Sussex, UK, on May 16, 2015. © James Esq. www.dominic-james.com Team Notes England’s team has been announced for the first senior international match of the UK polo season presented by Cowdray Park Polo Club and The Hurlingham Polo Association on Saturday 16th May, when England will face The Americas in the eighth running of The St. Regis International Cup. Leading England and playing in the number 3 shirt, will be 7 goal player James Beim, who has taken over the England captaincy in 2015. He is joined at number 1 by 6 goal player Richard Le Poer and at number 2 by Max Charlton, at 24 years of age considered to be one of England’s rising stars. The experienced James Harper, 6 goals, will play at Back, completing a strong 26 goal line-up. Once again, St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras, 6 goals, will feature in the overseas side, which will be captained by 8 goal Chilean player Jaime Huidobro. The team also includes Mattias Torres Zavaleta, 7 goals, and 5 goal player Manuel Elizalde. In 2014, in a team which featured both Beim and Charlton, England beat a tough South American side 11½-8 and this year’s encounter looks to be just as exciting.