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Champagne Bollinger set to flow at exclusive Queenstown 'Bond' event with Eichardt's

Thursday 15 November 2012, 3:14PM

By The Eichardt's Collection

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Eichardt's Group General Manager Chris McIntosh with Eichardt's Private Hotel sommelier Neil Taylor and AJ Humphreys from Negociants.
Eichardt's Group General Manager Chris McIntosh with Eichardt's Private Hotel sommelier Neil Taylor and AJ Humphreys from Negociants. Credit: The Eichardt's Collection

The man known simply as 007 is celebrating his 50th anniversary on the silver screen with – among other worldwide premieres – an exclusive red carpet screening of the latest James Bond film in Queenstown.

Shaken, not stirred, but definitely in a setting in which James Bond would feel at home, luxury lakefront hotel Eichardt’s will see Queenstown’s glitterati come out to play for a New Zealand-first screening of the eagerly-awaited ‘Skyfall’.

In a very special event paying homage to the suave and sophisticated agent, Eichardt’s has gone into partnership with the legendary house of Champagne Bollinger to pay homage to Her Majesty’s most glamorous secret agent.

In 1956, Champagne Bollinger appeared for the first time as the favourite champagne of Her Majesty's secret agent in Ian Fleming's novel Diamonds are Forever.

Over time, the ‘friendship’ has become a natural association between two legends with certain shared values — excellence, authenticity and elegance.

And just as a glass of Champagne Bollinger is a brief respite from 007’s action-packed life, it will flow at an exclusive event in The Parlour at Eichardt’s Hotel before a red-carpet walk to nearby Reading Cinema for a special advance screening of the latest action-packed epic.

Held on the evening of November 21, the ‘Eichardt’s Champagne Bollinger Skyfall Evening’ will enable a select number of guests to see the movie the day before it officially opens in New Zealand cinemas.

Eichardt’s Private Hotel sommelier Neil Taylor has accessed exclusive James Bond release ‘Champagne Bollinger 002 for 007’ which a very few Bond fans at the event may be able to buy.  The limited edition Champagne Bollinger has been released in celebration of 50 years of Bond and comes in a spy-themed and specially constructed silver and black case complete with lock requiring a special code to crack to access the bottle.

“This is one very cool and much lauded bottle of Champagne Bollinger, perfectly matching the style of all things Bond,” said Mr Taylor. 

“The 002 for 007 Brut is very much a collector’s edition and we are thrilled to have access to it for our guests on the Bond night.

“It’s been reported as being Champagne Bollinger’s most exceptional vintage in the last decade, so we can’t wait to crack the code on the very few bottles we’ve been able to get our hands on and taste what it’s all about.”

After enjoying champagne and canapés prepared by Eichardt’s Hotel’s Executive Chef Gwen Harvie and her team, and with a little Bond-style sophistication and plenty of discussion on international spy rings and luxury cars, guests will move on to the film screening itself.

Just 50 Eichardt’s guests will be among the first in New Zealand to enjoy Bond’s latest escapades while the Bollinger continues to flow.

Skyfall is the latest James Bond instalment and the 23rd film in the longest running film franchise of all time.  Daniel Craig again stars as Ian Fleming’s 007, alongside Javier Bardem as the latest villain in a plot ….that we can’t reveal.

“The night will definitely be one to savour on all levels,” said Eichardt’s Group General Manager Chris McIntosh. “James Bond is the epitome of cool, so this is our chance to have some fun and give our guests a taste of life as international high-flyers.”

Pre-dinner drinks and canapés are on offer from 4pm to 5pm with a black tie Champagne Bollinger reception in The Parlour followed by the exclusive screening at 5.30pm.

Complimentary beverages will be on offer throughout the screening from Negociants NZ which will be preceded by an introduction to the unique relationship with Champagne Bollinger and the James Bond Franchise by AJ Humphreys and Jane Jackson from Negociants.