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| Diplôme d’Honneur conferred on Kapil Chopra |
| By Rajiv Singhal |
| The Diplôme d’Honneur of the Corporation des Vignerons de Champagne was conferred upon Mr. Kapil Chopra, the President of the Oberoi Group of Hotels by the Ambassador of Champagne in India, Rajiv Singhal and H.E. François Richier, Ambassador of France in India at a special presentation ceremony at the Connaught Terrace of The Oberoi New Delhi. Guests, who were mostly close friends and associates of Kapil Chopra, were treated to a selection of cuvées from Champagne – Louis Roederer, Bollinger and Moët et Chandon Rosé. |
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Rajiv Singhal, Kapil Chopra and H.E. François Richier |
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| The Corporation des Vignerons de Champagne (founded in 1939) has been empowered by the Champenois community to honour friends of Champagne worldwide in recognition of their contribution to increasing the awareness of Champagne in their respective fields and countries. And every year, the selected recipients receive this honour on the occasion of the fête of Saint Vincent, the patron saint of winemakers. |
| Rajiv Singhal heads the Champagne Bureau in India since 2008, and is responsible for identifying candidates deserving of this honour. This honour is special, and he reserves it for special years when the recipient is truly exceptional (just like vintages in champagne). |
| He read the citation, "In a nascent Champagne landscape in India, Kapil Chopra conceptualised a special and unique multi-champagne brunch at The Oberoi Gurgaon, despite the challenges that this involves in India. The 7 champagne brunch is wowing guests every Sunday since the luxury property opened in 2011, and it is a testimony of Kapil Chopra's very strong commitment to Champagne." |
| Accepting the honour, Kapil Chopra thanked Champagne for this recognition and dedicated it to his team of the Oberoi, who made things possible. In a touching gesture, he called his 11 year old daughter, Drsika, to the presentation area to share the honour. |
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The gathering |
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| Kapil Chopra is only the third recipient to receive this honour, the others being Raymond Bickson and Satish Jayaram of The Taj Palaces, Hotels and Resorts in 2011 and Aishwarya Nair, corporate food & wine consultant of The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts in 2013. |
| Presenting a bottle of champagne to Kapil Chopra, H.E. François Richier congratulated him for this well-deserved honour. He shared his special relationship with Champagne – the Champagne icon, Dom Perignon was his great, great, …. great grand uncle – and emphasised the inclusion of Champagne in the lifestyle of the Indians. Even if a lot had been done, more needed to be done. |
| A special moment for Champagne in India! |
| Rajiv Singhal wears many hats, and Team vino india got a special insight on this very special ceremony from our Chief Executive. Bouquets or brickbats, please let us know what you think and do tell us where vino india could improve. Email us at info@vinoindia.in |
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