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Sparkling
South Africa
Champagne Blend
Cork
Dry
No Oak
ABV 12%
Tasting notes
A lovely, frothy pale gold accompanied by light yeasty aromas with hints of limey fresh fruit on the nose and rich creamy complexity on the palate. An excellent aperitif and goes well with subtle hors d'oeuvres and fish.
Why we recommend this wine
This has long been a benchmark sparkler in SA and is real value for money.
The wine
An all-round crowd pleaser and extremely versatile bubbly crafted from a selection of the classic champagne varieties, Chardonnay (50%+) and Pinot Noir. Both varietals are hand-picked: Chardonnay for fruit and elegance and Pinot Noir for complexity and length of flavour. In the cellar whole bunch pressing ensures only the best grape juice; the two varieties are fermented separately. They are then cross-blended along with reserve wine if necessary, bottled and left for 15 to 18 months yeast contact time before disgorgement. A long-time favourite in SA, this is the wine that Nelson Mandela used to toast his inauguration as President in 1994.
The wine estate
Graham Beck Wines is now entering its third generation as a family winery. They are continuously inspired to excel at what they do as a producer of the finest wines; an award-winning supporter of biodiversity (in 2004 Graham Beck was awarded the ISO 14001 award for environmental certification and in 2006 they achieved champion status in biodiversity); a champion of the development of their farming communities (they offer a variety of programs to their farm workers to ensure quality of life and a promising future for all staff and their families). They strive to be consummate caretakers – of their wines, people, environment, customers and consumers.
grahambeckwines.com
Food and wine
A light, fine wine calls for similar food. Hors d'oeuvres such as Vol-au-vent or subtly flavoured fish and chicken dishes; but fresh, well-ripened strawberries also come to mind. Also see our guide to pairing food and wine here.
Did you know?
Robertson’s average temperature during the growing season is 5º higher than the Champagne region (25º+ vs 20º+) and yet Graham Beck manages to make excellent sparkling wine using Champagne methods.
A lovely, frothy pale gold accompanied by light yeasty aromas with hints of limey fresh fruit on the nose and rich creamy complexity on the palate. An excellent aperitif and goes well with subtle hors d'oeuvres and fish.
Why we recommend this wine
This has long been a benchmark sparkler in SA and is real value for money.
The wine
An all-round crowd pleaser and extremely versatile bubbly crafted from a selection of the classic champagne varieties, Chardonnay (50%+) and Pinot Noir. Both varietals are hand-picked: Chardonnay for fruit and elegance and Pinot Noir for complexity and length of flavour. In the cellar whole bunch pressing ensures only the best grape juice; the two varieties are fermented separately. They are then cross-blended along with reserve wine if necessary, bottled and left for 15 to 18 months yeast contact time before disgorgement. A long-time favourite in SA, this is the wine that Nelson Mandela used to toast his inauguration as President in 1994.
The wine estate
Graham Beck Wines is now entering its third generation as a family winery. They are continuously inspired to excel at what they do as a producer of the finest wines; an award-winning supporter of biodiversity (in 2004 Graham Beck was awarded the ISO 14001 award for environmental certification and in 2006 they achieved champion status in biodiversity); a champion of the development of their farming communities (they offer a variety of programs to their farm workers to ensure quality of life and a promising future for all staff and their families). They strive to be consummate caretakers – of their wines, people, environment, customers and consumers.
grahambeckwines.com
Food and wine
A light, fine wine calls for similar food. Hors d'oeuvres such as Vol-au-vent or subtly flavoured fish and chicken dishes; but fresh, well-ripened strawberries also come to mind. Also see our guide to pairing food and wine here.
Did you know?
Robertson’s average temperature during the growing season is 5º higher than the Champagne region (25º+ vs 20º+) and yet Graham Beck manages to make excellent sparkling wine using Champagne methods.