Today we are moving on to South Africa!
South Africa is a new-to-me region that I’m excited to explore and our only Southern Hemisphere stop on this tour.
Did you know that in the Southern Hemisphere the growing seasons are “reversed” due to the difference in climate?
The first traditional method sparkling wine, called Méthode Cap Classique in South Africa, was made by Simonsig in 1971, making this year the 50th anniversary!
The Cap Classique Producers Association was founded in 1992 and there are now over 100 members. This year the CCPA increased the minimum lees aging time from 9 months to 12 months.
Under the “Wine of Origin” system South Africa’s wine growing areas are divided into Regions, then into Divisions and further into Wards.
The majority of South Africa’s vineyards are located in Western Cape near the coast.
Stellenbosch, a renowned District and the second oldest wine producing area in the country, has the most Cap Classique producers.
Today’s featured wine is a blend from the Western Cape – Graham Beck NV Brut.
@GrahamBeck winery was founded in 1983. The estate is in Robertson, located in the Breede River Valley Region 100 miles east of Cape Town.
The NV Brut is a blend of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir sourced from the Western Cape including their own estate, and other vineyards in Robertson, Stellenbosh and more.
Aged for 15 to 18 months on the lees, the dosage is 8.5 g/l making this sparkling wine brut.
I found this wine to have notes of lemon and lime, apple, and biscuit. The bubbles were very active initially. This was my first Cap Classique and I look forward to trying more!
