Vogue Living Champagne Dinner Posted by Reef Magazine - 21 August 2013 THE MENU Pork crackling, oyster emulsion, mustard cress Salt bush, nori and pickled ginger Beetroot and truffle marshmallow G.H. Mumm Brut NV Forest of oyster mushrooms Ruinart R de Ruinart NV Crab and daikon ‘ravioli’ Yarra Valley salmon caviar – shiso emulsion Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé NV Broome red emperor and asparagus Confit emperor – quinoa – asparagus vichyssoise Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1995 Tea-smoked quail and pork jowl Jamon iberico – seeds and corn Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2004 Passionfruit lollipop Ruby grapefruit and blood orange Textures of grapefruit and blood orange – basil tapioca Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial NV It was a celebration of all things sparkle. Luminaries, style-makers and qualia guests gathered beneath a spray of stars (they do twinkle so much more brightly out here) to raise glasses at the annual Champagne Dinner, hosted by Vogue Living, and experience the ultimate in resort luxury. The scene was set poolside in the balmy November evening, along qualia’s private stretch of Coral Sea. Stylist Megan Morton dressed it so simply, so elegantly in white and silver. Oh the uncomplicated luxury of exquisite champagne with a delicately designed menu by qualia’s award-winning executive chef Alastair Waddell. We toasted the 300-year history and evolution of champagne, first called ‘leaping light in a glass’ and perfected by French Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, uncorking the finest selection of G.H. Mumm Brut, Ruinart R de Ruinart and Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé. We saluted the grande names and dames of champagne such as Madame Clicquot (the ‘veuve’ in Veuve Clicquot means ‘widow’) with Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1995, the supple, golden and sweet Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial NV and, of course, flutes of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2004. Well, as Mark Twain was quoted over dessert: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.” About the Author 'REEF Magazine – Hamilton Island & the Great Barrier Reef' is a magazine that showcases all that Hamilton Island has to offer, from events, to an exciting array of activities, attractions and more. You can pick up your complimentary copy of 'REEF Magazine' at any Hamilton Island hotel, and you can also access some of our feature articles right here on The Island Blog.