International Cap Classique Day
Sparkling wine means a celebration anywhere on the globe, and sparkling wines are made in many places.
Today is the day to celebrate the beautiful sparkling wine from South Africa, Cap Classique.
The French Huguenots brought winemaking to the Cape of South Africa, including the traditional Methode Champenoise for making sparkling wines. this first bottle produced was called Kaapse Vonkel or Cape Sparkle http://www.capclassique.co.za/about.html
Here in South Africa, they call these Methode Cap Classiques. While the first sparkling wine of this type was made by Simonsig in 1971, the term “Cap Classiques” began being used in 1992, when the CCPA (Cap Classique Producers Association) was formed. http://www.capclassique.co.za/
Traditionally, Cap Classique is made from Chenin Blanc, often called Steen in South Africa.
Today, many Cap Classiques are made from those traditional Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Man Family Wines Cap Classique Brut
We paired a gorgeous Cap Classique Brut from Man Family Wines with a cheese plate a while back.
This Cap Classique was 100% Chenin Blanc from the Agter-Paarl region. The vines were head-trained and dry-farmed.
Here are my tasting notes from the time:
“The nose is bright with stone fruit like white peach, green apple, lime, and pear. You get sourdough notes from the lees. The bubbles are fine and pervasive.”
To pair?
We had a cheese plate with white peach, apple, and pear and sour dough bread (matching the aromas to the food). I would also suggest lobster or tuna steak, which would pair beautifully!
If you have not tried Cap Classique yet, I encourage you to head out and find a bottle! These sparkling wines are delicious and can be very reasonably priced for their quality!
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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