One of the world’s biggest stars now calls the Philippines its “home.”
True to its identity, this famed celebrity has rubbed elbows and even had countless tête-à-têtes with the world’s finest men and women. From the most celebrated multi-billionaires to the biggest and the brightest names in Hollywood, this global icon has had the distinct privilege of having dined and toasted with them all. What’s even more splendid was the fact that he earned their admiration with nothing but his exquisite taste and charm.
The newest star of Cove Manila—Okada’s sprawling indoor beach club and nightclub touted to be the most exciting entertainment and nightlife destination in Southeast Asia—is none other than the Ace of Spade itself, the luxurious Armand de Brignac, touted as the world’s most expensive champagne.
In a league of its own
“Armand de Brignac is known for its distinctive taste and iconic bottle, and has successfully gained a global following among celebrities and personalities with an affinity for luxury and glamour,” says Armand de Brignac CEO Sebastien Besson, who flew to Manila in November to grace the official uncorking with Cove Manila executives. “The Champagne leaves an impression in the Southeast Asian nightlife scene by continuing to deliver its promise of superb craftsmanship and exceptional quality.”
Armand de Brignac, produced by 13th generation wine growers and whose colloquial nickname was inspired by its iconic logo, has been the champagne of choice for icons like football superstar David Beckham, American actor and producer George Clooney, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian. Now, the brand stands as the fitting choice of premium champagne at Cove Manila.
This became possible after Cove Manila was recently bestowed the privilege to be the exclusive carrier of the big bottle of Armand de Brignac, particularly the Gold Brut cuvee, in the Philippines.
“We are very happy that the world’s finest champagne has now found its home in Southeast Asia through us at Cove Manila,” shares Maxwell Zetlin, VP for Entertainment at Cove Manila. “As a globally acclaimed brand, we are more than pleased to finally have the opportunity to introduce the elegant and unforgettable taste of the prestige cuvee Armand de Brignac to discriminating champagne connoisseurs.”
In addition to the Gold Brut, there are four other cuvees in the Armand de Brignac collection that are distributed in various parts of the world: Rosé, Demi-Sec, Blanc de Blancs, and Blanc de Noirs. Each champagne blend uses the traditional Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier), with the Blanc de Blancs consisting of 100 percent Chardonnay and the Blanc de Noirs comprised of 100 percent Pinot Noir.
“We like to take time to nurture our champagne,”” Besson shared in a recent interview. “We have a long- term generational objective in everything we do. We want to innovate; we want to bring new things to the market. At the same time, we won’t compromise our ‘classic’ style and quality, so you can say, we take the time to do things right, always.”
Armand de Brignac has enjoyed a huge distinction among wine critics and connoisseurs worldwide, especially after its Brut Gold cuvee was hailed as the “no. 1 champagne in the world” following a blind tasting of 1,000 champagne brands. Its bottles debuted in Asia and the Philippines in January 2017 during the Miss Universe after-party at Cove Manila. Featured during the event was the incredibly rare and made-to-order 30-liter “Ace of Spades” Brut Gold Midas, one of the most expensive champagne varieties in the world that comes with a P7.5 million price tag.
Signature excellence in every bottle
Armand de Brignac is owned by business and media mogul Sean “Jay-Z” Carter. The Champagne’s distinction comes from a meticulous winemaking process, producing a range of signature blends with hints of baked pastry and vanilla, along with vibrant fruit character, soft texture, and balanced acidity.
Each bottle of Armand de Brignac goes through a rigorous crafting process. Just 18 people touch a bottle from pressing the fruit to the champagne’s departure from France, and the small, highly skilled team finishes each bottle by hand.
Like a sip of bubbly champagne, Cove Manila sets the mood for world-class celebrations by bringing life to the party.
Situated inside Okada Manila—the biggest integrated resort in the Philippines occupying 44 hectares of the booming Entertainment City in Parañaque—Cove Manila is a 9,000-square-meter entertainment destination with panoramic bayside views, luxurious amenities, and vibrant atmosphere. Enclosed in a 30-meter-tall, UV-protected glass dome, Cove Manila seamlessly incorporates the most advanced sound and lighting equipment such as Tony Andrews’ Funktion-One high resolution sound system and a unique six-ring kinetic chandelier which can produce up to 10,000 special effects and choreographed LED video mapping, allowing guests and partyphiles to enjoy a multi-sensory and immersive experience.