A wine festival in paradise
The only thing better than indulging in excellent food and wine? Enjoying both in a five-star island setting, obvs. Make 2024 the year you discover Constance hotels and resorts in Mauritius, where world-class restaurants and an impressive cellar guarantee the greatest kind of escape
Want in on one of the biggest foodand-wine parties in the world? We suggest planning a mid-year break in Mauritius at the 2024 edition of La Paulée by Constance – a five-day celebration inspired by the La Paulée de Meursault, a lunch marking the end of harvest season in Burgundy, France. Pairing dinners, expertled tastings and a gala gourmet dinner are just some of the events lined up (find out more at constancehotels.com).
But if you really can’t get away from SA between 12 and 19 May, you still won’t want to miss out on the excellent yearround food-and-wine offering at the group’s two hotels on the island. Constance Prince Maurice (great for couples) and Belle Mare Plage (perfect for family fun) are just 15 minutes apart, and a shuttle service means you can eat and drink your fill at a total of eight restaurants. Add the turquoise ocean, pristine beaches and luxurious accommodation to the mix, and you have a foodie’s dream holiday.
The force behind the group’s dedication to fine wine and food is head sommelier Jerome Faure, who is passionate about providing guests with a top-class experience that respects and reflects the surrounding environment. “Gastronomy and fine wine are central to the Constance experience because they embody our commitment to excellence. Our team of international chefs uses food as a narrative tool to share and celebrate culture and creativity, crafting each dish to reflect a story about heritage.”
Imagine experiencing this at a table drifting on an idyllic lagoon. You can do exactly that at Le Barachois at Constance Prince Maurice, the only floating restaurant on the island. Here, the menu celebrates the flavours of the surrounding Indian Ocean, and you will feel the gentle sway of the ocean as you wine and dine. Constance Prince Maurice also offers Archipel restaurant, where you’ll enjoy fine dining with a Mauritian twist (and your choice of pool or beach views). Wine lovers take note: the adjoining cellar houses around 25 000 bottles and a dedicated tasting area where you’ll want to spend a few hours touring the world’s best wine regions.
And if that simply isn’t enough for you, head on over to The Blue Penny Cellar à la carte bistro at Constance Belle Mare Plage, which has an even more remarkable cellar accommodating 35 000 bottles from more than 2 300 wineries. Think Tuscany, McLaren Vale and Franschhoek (of course!).
You will also find numerous bars offering cocktails, spirits and beers. Constance even has its own craft beer made by local brewery The Thirsty Fox (we highly recommend the piña colada weiss). But it’s the wine-and-food pairings that take pride of place, so much so that Jerome has created sommelier programmes that focus on education and the upliftment of local residents. They’re trained to global standards, have opportunities to compete in international competitions, and visit the best wine regions in the world. “Each bottle, selected by our knowledgeable sommeliers, is a chapter of a global story, chosen to harmonise with our menus and appeal to all wine enthusiasts. Together, food and wine create unforgettable moments, turning your meals here into a fantastic memory.”