On Sunday 2 September, in Queensland’s Spicers Hidden Vale, one hour from Brisbane, you will get to experience all things Champagne without the passport, airfare and jetlag at Effervescence.
A champagne festival in Australia makes perfect sense because we are one of the biggest consumers of champagne in the world! Yep, let that sink in when thinking about the size of our population compared to the populations of the other countries. In 2017, Australia imported 8,534,351 bottles of champagne making it 6th globally. The USA leads the champagne markets with 27,762,045 bottles of champagne imported for the year, but when comparing its population to the number of imported bottles it is merely 0.07 bottles per American. Conversely, Australia imported 0.35 bottles for each of us. By population, Australia consumes 5 times as much champagne as the Americans!
The festival is a result of the brainwave of Amanda Reboul, a champagne educator who was visiting both world famous and boutique champagne houses when the idea came to her. That’s far better than some of the ideas I’ve had after quaffing champagne! She wanted not only to celebrate the bubbly that is champagne but to bring the essence of Champagne, the region to Australia.
Now in its third year, the event will celebrate all things champagne with tastings bien sûr but also more structured champagne appreciation through masterclasses which will guide guests through the different regions and styles of the world’s most loved wine. The event is for champagne enthusiasts as well as interested novices. All are welcome at Effervescence.
What champagnes will you get to try on the day? 27 champagne houses and growers are going to be present. Representatives from major and smaller family-owned champagne houses will be in attendance, along with champagne experts such as Vin de Champagne award winner, David Donald, offering the opportunity to taste and talk to people in the know; both makers and educators.
You will be able to walk along the ‘champagne trail’ with stations set over the stunning 12,000 acre property. The four main growing regions of champagne will be represented on the champagne trail: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, and Côte des Bar (also known as The Aube).
So you can say you’re walking off the champagne as you drink it!
TICKETS
For all tickets and for more information, take a look at the website.
Entry-only ticket: $5:
Champagne Trail: $120 for three hours of champagne from the four main growing regions of champagne.
Lazy long lunch: $220 Truffle & Wine Co have put together a very special lunch featuring distinguished French chef Bruno Loubet, former Masterchef contestant and chef, Danielle Dixon, and Spicers’ own Ash Martin. Set under the trees, the long lunch, starring the rare and expensive truffle, (‘Tuber Melanosporum’) offers 3 courses, each produced by one of our superstar chefs, with each dish matched, naturally with champagne.
The ticket also includes access to the 3 hours of champagne on the champagne trail.
Full Day Escape $250 – NOW SOLD OUT!!! – A full day of champagne from 10am to 5:30pm which includes the long lunch, champagne trail and a masterclass.
Add-ons:
LUXE LOUNGE: Three prestige tastings from a selection of houses and growers along with canapés $50 (must have a champagne trail ticket)
If you want to make a whole weekend out of it, there is also the option of the special VIP weekend packages with luxury accommodation and food from Spicers’ own hatted restaurant. This includes three nights and two days of champagne, champagne breakfasts and lunches as well as a champagne dinner on the Saturday night. Priced at $2495 per person for a classic room, this is a package for those who really love their champagne or if you really want to treat yo’self:
What’s your favourite champagne?
