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By Gionna Cabrera
MOUTON CADET is undoubtedly the wine of the
moment. The winemakers at Baron Philippe de Rothschild have put the
brand on the pedestal since its conception in 1930, making Mouton
Cadet the world’s leading appelation d’origine controlee (AOC)
brand.
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Joey
Mead receives her prize
from Thierry de Tourniel,
brand representative of
Baroness Philippin de Rothschild
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Its supreme quality comes from the meticulous
overseeing and running of the vineyard and the winemaking process,
optimum conservation of the wine to preserve its freshness and
fruit, and the know-how of the winemakers that has us assured that
we get only the best.
Style changes are defined by a new variety mix,
a redefinition of the areas in which the wine is sourced --
harvesting the fruits at full maturity, cold maceration before
fermentation and starting a maturing process called vinification,
which is designed to preserve the fruits.
The packaging, specially designed for Mouton
Cadet, bears the Baron Philippe de Rothschild seal on its base,
sharing the same apex certification of other top-of-the-line brands
included in the Bordeaux portfolio.
With a New Impetus being inclusive to the
world’s top restaurants’ wine lists, it now has more than 4,500
brand ambassadors that have generated articles in the international
press such as Elle, The Independent (UK), La Revue Vinicole
Internationale (France), Weinwirtschaft (Germany), Dina Viner
(Sweden), The Wine Enthusiast, among others. Its advertising and PR
campaigns have also made its presence felt in many cultural, film
and sporting events—the most celebrated of which is it being the
official wine of the Cannes Film Festival, an event unparalleled in
prestige and glamour.
In the Philippines, it is Tita Meneses Trillo,
owner of Titania Wine Cellar Inc. who houses the Mouton Cadet brand.
In keeping with the spirit of Bordeaux, she finds it apt to further
connect the wine with its growing clientele by organizing the Miss
Mouton Cadet. The search has been ongoing for a few years now,
wherein after cocktails, at a lavish dinner of six to seven courses
complemented by specified vintages of Mouton, guests are entertained
by ladies who represent a number of haute restaurant establishments
in Manila to compete for the title of Miss Mouton.
In this search, it is not just a beauty pageant
because no awkwardness is allowed. The contestants pitch their
assets, model evening gowns, and take part in a question and answer
portion. This year, the event was held at the Captain’s Bar of the
Mandarin Oriental Manila. The theme was Moulin Rouge, complete with
a windmill stage centerpiece with bohemian accents. I was privileged
to sit as a member of the board of judges, together with Thierry
Mixa, consular officer of the French Embassy; Mike Toledo of
WeberShandwick worldwide, Publishing Consultant Murray Hertz,
Freddie Garcia,Anton San Diego, Tessa Prieto-Valdez, Thelma Sioson
San Juan, RCBC’s Marit Yuchengco, Grace Glory Go,Becky Garcia, and
top OB-Gyne Becky Singson.
The night ended with the crowning of former VJ
and model Joey Mead as Miss Mouton Cadet 2007, making her the
official ambassador for the brand when she flies to France to attend
the Cannes Film Festival from May 16th to 27. Lucky girl Joey!
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