POP! The Best Local Bubblies for the Festive Season!

What a YEAR! 2020 Has very much been a traumatising lesson in human fragility and dogged perseverance…so much so that although the festive season is practically upon us, it doesn’t feel like we should be celebrating. But celebrate you should because you made it. And WOW does that deserve a quality glass of bubbles! So, in honour of the end of one of the worst years it feels like we’ve ever faced down, here is a list of gorgeous local bubbly wines we recommend you stock your cellars with!

(Please note that price varies from retail outlet to retail outlet and serves only as an approximation.)

Black Elephant Vintners MCC

Tasting notes: A classic blend of Chardonnay (75%) contributing fruit and elegance, and Pinot Noir (25%) for complexity and length of flavour. Light yeasty aromas and tones of citrus, fresh picked red apples with a rich creamy complexity and cherries on the palate. The exceptionally fine mousse contributes freshness and finesse.
In terms of bottle design, the gang at Black Elephant Vintners decided to strip off all the bling that is so commonly associated with sparkling wines and the result is this sleek and seductive bottle that bears the wonderful nickname: the Michelle Obama.

Price: R265
Web: www.bevintners.co.za

Graham Beck Bliss Nectar Rosé

Tasting Notes: This alluringly pink-hued Rosé style MCC delights with a seductive sweetness, honeyed smoothness, and effervescent flair. The appealing strawberry aromas are complemented by hints of spiced peach and creamy raspberry, underscored with a subtle floral nuance. The Bliss Nectar Rosé appeals to those who enjoy a sparkling wine that is less dry in style.

Price: Currently on special for R816 for a case of 6 (from website)
Web: www.grahambeck.com

Durbanville Hills Sparkling Rosé

Tasting Notes: This approachable and affordable sparkling rosé from Durbanville Hills wine estate offers up a gentle bouquet of citrus, ripe fruit, rose petals, strawberries, and Turkish delight, followed by flavours of grapefruit, ripe berries, and candyfloss. The Durbanville ward is considered one of the Cape’s coolest wine regions, thanks to the sea breezes that blow onshore from False Bay and Table Bay. These conditions are ideal for the slow ripening of the grapes, allowing them to develop a full-flavoured, intense character.

Price: R95
Web: www.durbanvillehills.co.za

Grande Provence Méthode Cap Classique Rosé NV

Tasting notes: From the hallowed vines at centuries-old Franschhoek wine estate, Grande Provence, comes this vibrant MCC rosé, which the farm brilliantly pairs with fresh oysters. Strawberry flavours burst forth with lively and delicate bubbles. The richly textured flavours of Pinot Noir combined with the elegant structure of Chardonnay lend complexity. This MCC Rosé is bursting with red berry flavours supported by a long finish.

Price: Currently on special for R148 (from website)
Web: www.grandeprovence.co.za

Krone “Kaaimansgat” Blanc de Blanc 2016

Tasting Notes: Handcrafted in small batches on Twee Jonge Gezellen estate in Tulbagh, the Krone Blanc de Blancs 2016 is highly expressive of vintage and terroir. Sculpted by the vintage, this wine expresses the distinctive character of the Kaaimansgat vineyard, located 700m above sea level, in the cool climate Elandskloof ward. The “Kaaimansgat” Blanc de Blanc is a 100% Chardonnay MCC that’s a pale gold in colour and delivers mandarin peel on the nose, classic white-fruited chardonnay elegance, a full, soft mousse, and flinty finish.

Price: R500
Web: www.kronemcc.com

La Motte MCC 2016

Tasting notes: The 2016 La Motte Méthode Cap Classique is a gorgeous wine and an absolute treat for the festive season, complementing a wide range of South African foods. A fine mousse promises an exciting, fresh wine with dimension. Lots of secondary aromas are present—yeasty flavours of baked bread are prominent, followed by nuts and ripe pear fruit. The entry is soft and foamy and the freshness of the wine lingers with a long presence.

Best enjoyed whilst lounging in La Motte’s pristine gardens, under a towering oak tree!

Price: R370 (from website)
Web: www.la-motte.com

Leopard’s Leap Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir

Tasting notes: This vivacious sparkling Chardonnay / Pinot Noir bursts with bubbly flavours of strawberry, raspberry, and citrus. Elegant and well-rounded with the perfect balance between freshness and fruit, this sparkling wine from Leopard’s Leap estate is playful on the palate and boasts a memorable aftertaste. You can enjoy this wine as an aperitif or as a versatile food-pairing partner!

Price: R92 (from website)
Web: www.leopardsleap.co.za

Longridge Vintage Reserve MCC 2014

Tasting Notes: The Vintage Reserve Brut from Longridge Wine Estate in Stellenbosch is a Cap Classique produced only during exceptional years from grapes specific to that vintage. This Cuveé has been carefully matured for five years on a fine lees resulting in a wine of extreme elegance and fine mousse with zero dosage. On the nose are light yeasty aromas, crisp white peach and fresh lime followed by a rich, creamy complexity on the palate. The Longridge Reserve MCC is a certified Estate wine with 100% of the grapes grown at Longridge.

Price: R325 (from website)
Web: www.longridge.co.za

L'Ormarins Blanc de Blanc 2013

Tasting Notes: From the regal estate of Anthonij Rupert comes the fresh, citrus-laced, and perfumed L'Ormarins Blanc de Blanc 2013. This MCC delivers a lip-smackingly taut, zesty, and crisp palate that opens up into ripe, fleshy fruits of orange, apple, and stone fruit before a rich creaminess washes over. This 100% Chardonnay is a Double Gold winner at the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge 2019, was scored 92 Points by Tim Atkin, and 4.5 Stars on the Platter's Guide.

Price: R230
Web: www.rupertwines.com

Philip Jonker Brut Entheos NV

Tasting Notes: This delicious 60% Chardonnay / 40% Pinot Noir Cap Classique hails from Weltevrede Estate, which flanks the Brede River Valley in Robertson. The Philip Jonker Brut “Entheos” NV, meaning “enthusiasm”, delivers a creamy, biscuity nose with notes of green pear and lemon, and is characterised by fine bubbles, a palate of winter melon, and slight smokiness. The grapes are picked riper to show richness and attractive fruit at an earlier stage. The wine is matured on lees for up to three years.

Price: R150
Web: www.weltevrede.com

Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2013

Tasting notes: The 2013 vintage of the Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs is a brilliant follow-on from the maiden 2012 release. A refined, light straw colour with a fine beady mousse, this wine boasts delicate yeasty tones, layered with green lime zest, citrus and brioche. This gorgeous MCC has a firm, well-integrated mousse and vibrant mouth-feel with toasty notes, citrus, honey, and tropical nuances and a bright, lingering finish. The Chardonnay was selected from various sites in the Darling and Robertson regions.

Price: R385 (from Port2Port)
Web: www.pieterferreiramcc.co.za

Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir MCC NV

Tasting Notes: The pale pink 1682 Pinot Noir Méthode Cap Classique is fresh with fruity aromas of raspberry jelly, wild strawberry sorbet, red apple skin and toasted brioche. The wine has a very fine mousse that lifts the raspberry-like aromas and is balanced well with a creamy texture and bright acidity with a lingering dry finish. Steenberg’s 1682 Pinot Noir MCC NV was awarded the Trophy for Best Rosé MCC in class and the Double Gold medal at the Amorim Cap Classique 2019!

Price: R245
Web: www.steenbergfarm.com