An Excerpt From A First Time for Everything

By K.L. Walther Chapter 4

“No, I haven’t been on a date,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “And I’ve never been kissed.” I reached for our Whispering Angel rosé, and no one protested when I took a sip straight from the bottle. One dose of liquid courage.”

Sacha Lichine and his founding Consulting Oenologist Patrick Léon created a completely new style of rosé that is more reminiscent of a barrel-aged Chardonnay.

Château d’Esclans forms amongst the most impressive building ensemble in the Provençal wine world.

The flagships such as Château d’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus are produced at the château itself.

A modern winery was built in the village for brands such as Whispering Angel and Rock Angel. The purchased grapes are processed there, while at the château itself only the company’s own grapes are vinified.

The rapid rise is associated with two names: Sacha Lichine, who sold the family château in Bordeaux to put everything on the Provence card. He recognized the potential of rosé as a sophisticated wine early on. He relied entirely on Grenache and was the first to mature the wines in 600 Liter barrels.

This is where the second name comes into play: Patrick Léon, the long-standing Mouton-Rothschild oenologist, was responsible for the vinification at Château d’Esclans from 2006 up until his death in 2018. Today, and since 2011, Léon’s son, Bertrand, serves as the Château’s Technical Director telling me that “I came here for the first time in 2008 with my father, two years after he and Sacha Lichine had started the first experiments with barriques in 2006.It wasn’t about the taste at all: The barrels were the easiest way to get to know all the plots. But we quickly realized that the combination with Grenache in particular works very well.

The same applies to Rolle, which, like Grenache, responds very well to maturation in wood. It has fruit and body, but without a lot of tannin, which is very important. For this reason, he only uses Mourvèdre in very small doses. With Syrah you can increase the expression on the palate, but the aromas are not ideal for rosé. In Les Clans and Garrus, only around 20 percent Rolle and a little Tibouren are used alongside Grenache.

The wooden barrel cellar is fascinating. Each individual barrel is equipped with a mobile cooling device that can be inserted into the barrel via the bunghole if necessary. A futuristic interior view that forms a contrast to the picturesque property with the château and huge old trees.

The winery is in the Var department. “This is France’s department with the highest proportion of forest. Of course, this is an important climate factor and also crucial for our terroir, alongside the soil, which becomes increasingly calcareous the higher you go. He describes Les Clans as “a slightly finer, more feminine wine while Garrus is a little more structured and firm.”

And at around 120 euros, it is also pretty much the most expensive rosé in the world.

In contrast, Whispering Angel is the most famous rosé brand in the world, producing more than 10 million bottles.

Given this volume, the quality is remarkably high and is certainly a key to the rosé phenomenon.

Tasting Note

2023 Château d’Esclans, Garrus, Côtes de Provence AOP

Apricot and tangerine, orange blossom, also lime blossom and chamomile; the wood is evident, but the wine as a whole is so full-bodied that it asserts itself, showing a clayey texture and intense Mediterranean herbal notes.

By Callum Crumlish

Rugby fans will be able to attend the upcoming Six Nations tournament at Twickenham next year in style with Keith Prowse’s hospitality tickets.

In 2025 England will host the Six Nations for the first time since 2003. There, they will be joining Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy at the annual rugby competition where elite rugby players will go head-to-head in the batch of rivalries which have dated back more than 140 years.

This year, the Six Nations is being hosted in Twickenham, and dedicated fans can enjoy an incredibly unique and bespoke experience using Keith Prowse’s hospitality services . There, fans will be able to enjoy complimentary food and drink.

With a huge choice of tickets available right now, fans can secure a full course of food across their chosen event day. This will include a spread of appetisers, plus a “chef’s tribute to the visiting nation served as an Amuse Bouche”. After that, a four-course British-inspired menu in collaboration with a Michelin star chef.

On top of that, Keith Prowse will offer Bollinger Champagne and Whispering Angel throughout the day, with premium spirits, real ales, Guinness, premium lager and a choice of fine wines also available.

As we head towards the festive season, prepare to get your skates on with these ice rinks returning for some winter fun…

Glide at Battersea Power Station: with the river to one side and the instantly recognisable power station on the other, this outdoor ice rink is available to skate on until the 5th January 2025. Now back for its third year, the ice rink is ideally situated so that afterwards you can get your Christmas shopping done as well as grab a bite to eat. There is also plenty of variety in terms of entertainment available including a selection of vintage-style fairground rides and live entertainment in The Glass House.

For those looking to linger for as long as possible, visitors can upgrade the experience by hiring out one of the exclusive igloos with capacity for up to twelve people at only £17.50 per person, each booking includes private hire for 90 minutes and a bottle of Roebuck Estate Classic Cuvee Sparkling Wine.

Skate at Somerset House: as one of the best known locations for ice skating at this time of year, if you have never paid a visit then make this year your first when it returns from the 13th November.

Beautifully backlit by Somerset House itself and complete with a Christmas tree for decoration, this skating experience also offers live events during the period that it is open for. This includes theSkate Lates sessions which offer after-hours rink access with music from top London DJs, as well as  chilled out sessions (with reduced capacity and of course lower music), and a kids Skate Club.

Meanwhile, at the Skate Lounge visitors can sip on festive rosé cocktails, from a steaming cup of mulled Whispering Angel to modern pink twists on classic cocktails.

Oh, darling, where do I even begin? The 26th annual Angel Ball kicked off at Cipriani Wall Street last night, turning Lower Manhattan into a hedonistic whirlwind of haute couture, champagne-fueled bidding wars, and philanthropic revelry. Hosted by the dazzling Denise Rich and her daughters, Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter, the event was not just a gala—it was a full-throttle symphony of glitz and goodwill, raking in nearly $3 million for cancer research.

This was no ordinary charity event—this was high society on its finest behavior (or perhaps its most decadent). Picture a banquet hall throbbing with laughter, toasts flying like confetti, and fashion so opulent you could practically feel the credit limits groaning. Cipriani’s marble columns shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, as guests strutted in black-tie and haute couture, ready to outbid, out-dance, and, most importantly, outshine.

Heroes, Honors, and Heartstrings

The heart of the evening belonged to Grace Cayre, the kind of philanthropist that makes the rest of us wonder if we’re really trying hard enough. A mother of three, children’s book author, and tireless volunteer, Grace has spent over two decades in hospitals and pediatric wards, spreading joy and organizing fashion galas to fund cancer research. Honoring her was like handing out roses at a beauty pageant—completely necessary and deserved.

Then came the real tearjerker: Jace Yawnick, a cancer survivor with the kind of smile that could launch a thousand donations, took the stage and left the room sniffling into their linen napkins. Jace’s raw testimony about life-saving research reminded us all of what the night was truly about, just before the festivities shifted into full throttle.

Dancing Through the Decades: DJ MAD MARJ Meets Busta Rhymes

You might think a gala would slow down after a few heartfelt moments, but not this one. The entertainment lineup read like a fever dream. Adrienne Warren, Tony Award-winner extraordinaire, belted out The Impossible Dream—and believe me, she wasn’t just hitting notes; she was hurling them into the stratosphere. But wait—enter Luke K, the rapper du jour, who sidled onto the stage mid-song, turning Warren’s ballad into a sultry duet no one saw coming.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, DJ MAD MARJ cranked up the heat, and in came Busta Rhymes like a walking dopamine rush. With classics like Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See and Break Ya Neck, the dance floor erupted in a euphoric frenzy that could only be described as Wall Street goes Woodstock. Even Ramona Singer from Real Housewives was spotted swaying with abandon—no one cared if their Louboutins got scuffed tonight.

The Auction: A War of Wallets, Wanderlust, and World-Class Art

This was no penny-ante auction. With Star Jones charming the crowd into a frenzy and auctioneer Jamie McDonaldconducting like a maestro, the bids flew faster than you could say “Swiss bank account.”

High rollers vied for luxury vacations—like an exclusive takeover of Naviva®, a Four Seasons Resort in Mexico, or a 7-day rejuvenation at SHA Mexico, designed to keep the 1% feeling spry and invincible. And if that wasn’t enough, Villa Oceane in the Bahamas was up for grabs, along with a custom piece by Lorraine Schwartz. But the showstopper? Enrique Cabrera’s limited-edition sculpture, The Golden Apple, sold for a staggering $300,000, proving that in New York, even fruit can be a high-stakes affair.

Art lovers were equally spoiled, with a stellar lineup, some from  DTR Modern Gallery that read like the who’s-who of contemporary greatness. Works by Houben RT, Fer Da Silva, Halim Flowers, Belin, and Jill Cunniff all graced the walls, showcasing a killer blend of cutting-edge talent. Incredible works from contemporary power houses such as Ross Pino and Jason Naylor were also on display. These works—and more—are now up for grabs through the online auction, running until November 5th, giving guests (and latecomers) a chance to snag a masterpiece before the final gavel drops.

Sponsors and Style: A VIP Affair

The night’s glittering sponsors made sure every detail sparkled. Lorraine Schwartz added her signature brilliance, Mielle Organics brought beauty and brains, and Whispering Angel and Tito’s Handmade Vodka ensured the toasts never stopped. Even the caviar—courtesy of IKRAA—felt more opulent under Cipriani’s golden arches. With CAMILLA styling the decor and The Macallan on bar duty, every moment was wrapped in bespoke grandeur.

The honorary and co-chairs—too many fabulous names to list—rounded out this who’s who of New York’s elite. These were the movers and shakers of philanthropy, the kind of people who change lives before their morning cappuccino.

Glitz with a Purpose

Let’s not get too carried away by the glamour—the real star of the night was Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, an organization funding early-career scientists working to find less toxic treatments for blood cancers. Since 1996, they’ve raised over $43 million—making them one of the largest non-governmental supporters of cancer research in the country. In a world obsessed with fast returns and hedge funds, it’s refreshing to see some wealth being put to noble use.

As the night slipped into morning and the last champagne flute was drained, guests filed out of Cipriani, clutching their auction wins and rubbing their sore feet. This wasn’t just another gala—it was a heady mix of ambition, excess, and pure heart, with every dollar raised bringing us one step closer to a cancer-free future.

On Twitter: @CureCancerNow
On Instagram: @GabriellesAngels

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do charity—New York style.

On October 27th, the last Sunday of the month, an exclusive edition of the hotel’s traditional brunch will take place at Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel

The “Provence Brunch” will feature the delicious Whispering Angel rosé wine, considered one of the world’s leading Provence rosés. The event will also feature a special appearance by chef Rafa Brito Pereira, from The Slow Bakery, to create irresistible recipes.

For the occasion, the buffet menu features several exclusive options inspired by the Italian-American concept and designed by chef Rafa Brito Pereira. Among the selection, four dishes will be prepared: Tartine Mozza, a duo of marinated zucchini with stracciatella on slices of sourdough miche; Raviolo, which will be a fresh house pasta all’uovo stuffed with spinach and pecan ricotta, soft egg yolk in noisette sauce with sage; Panzella, which is organic tomatoes with olives, red onion and house mozzarella on slices of sourdough river and caper and anchovy sauce; and to finish, Pasta e Fagioli, a fresh house surprise with pinto beans and slow-cooked Calabrian sausage ragu in organic tomato sauce.

In addition to exclusive culinary creations by chef Rafa Brito Pereira and a table of naturally fermented breads with slow-cooked butter and artisanal charcuterie from The Slow Bakery, the event will also feature pleasant live music. Traditionally, the brunch offers a buffet with a wide variety of the restaurant’s most popular recipes, including salads, hot dishes, risotto stations, cheeses, cold cuts and antipasti, as well as desserts and pastas made in the Copa’s own kitchen.

For more information and reservations, visit the website , contact (21) 2548-7070 or email  restaurants.cop@belmond.com .

Service

Special brunch featuring chef Rafael Brito Pereira from The Slow Bakery | Whispering Angel | Live music

Price per person: R$550 + 10% per person

Schedule: 1pm to 4pm

Date: October 27th

Reservations:  restaurants.cop@belmond.com or  pergula.cop@belmond.com  / +55 21 2548-7070