Bubblies charm local palates
EACH summer invariably ushers in a rush of newly-released drinks to whet our unsuspecting palates and the current season has been no different, boasting rather some gems to chalk down for the next night on the town.
And making a joyful summer for bubbly lovers this time round must be a triplicate of classy sparkling wines, which blazed onto the local revelry scene in time for this thirst-inducing season.
The three bubbly charmers are Pierre Jourdan Blanc de Blancs (R120) from Franschoek-based Haute Cabrière estate; Lanzerac Blanc de Blancs Brut (R220); and the 2013 La Motte Méthode Cap Classique (R299) in Franschhoek.
Notably Franschhoek is renowned as the “gourmet food and wine capital” of South Africa, boasting its own sparkling wine route and a Cap Classique and Champagne festival especially dedicated to the fizzy drink.
This picturesque town, also known as the French Corner, has a strong French heritage as it was first inhabited in 1688 by the French Huguenots who named their farms – like Cabrière and La Motte– after areas from which they originated in France.
Since 1982, the Von Arnim family of Haute Cabrière has produced award-winning Méthode Cap Classiques (local name for Champagne) under the Pierre Jourdan label. True to the family’s goal, Pierre Jourdan Blanc de Blancs is a elegant offering arguably in the class of some of the renowned French bubbly.
No New Year’s Eve party is worth its salt without sparkling wine. Thankfully the 2013 La Motte Méthode Cap Classique (R299) happened to arrive in time for the midnight festivities to usher 2017. The fact that it was a 2013 vintage aroused my curiosity instantly, since it meant that it would been aged for no less than 36 months and 2013 signified a year of particularly good harvest. In contrast, non-vintage bubbly is aged for a minimum of 15 months and made from grapes harvested in different years – hence there is ordinarily no age statement on a bottle of non-vintage Champagne. Another Chardonnaylaced bubby, Lanzerac Méthode Cap Classique is no second BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year, motivational speaker, South Africa’s first black woman winemaker and now owner of her new label – Aslina Wines – Ntsiki Biyela is a farm girl who left the cow-dung backwaters of KwaZulu-Natal in the 1990s to make a mark in the imperious world of wine. QUESTION: It has been a long ride for you, compared to the 1990s when you were a young teetotaller who had never poked her nose into a glass of wine – and chose to study winemaking of all things. Has it all been worthwhile? ANSWER: It has been an amazing journey; one of those that if I were to be asked to do it again, I would not blink an eye. Q: What prompted this decision, when all you might fiddle to the other sparkling wines. Lanzerac is formerly owned by Christo Wiese, who sold to overseas buyers in 2012, along with a hotel on the estate. QUIET is a whiskey that displays a shy nose and subdued palate or not aggressive. have known about alcohol then was making (sorghum brew)? A: This was the opportunity for me to study, to change my life. That is why I took it. Q: For all the time you have been a winemaker at your previous posting at Stellekhaya, what was your most memorable highlight? A: It is difficult to single out a highlight, but I am always pleased to watch people enjoying a glass of the art I have created. Winning Landbouweekblad woman winemaker of the year in 2009 was fantastic. But the one time I drank my wine with my grandmother is the moment I will cherish forever. Q: Which you do choose first at a restaurant – the wine or the food? A: Definitely the wine. Q: You recently decided to go solo and start your own label. What prompted this decision? A: I knew that I would start my own business at some point of my life, and having my own brand is another step towards the change I would like to see. Q: You chose the name Aslina for your wine range; who is Aslina? A: Aslina is my grandmother’s name, my heroine. I believe I am who I am because of the values she instilled in me. She was my role model of what strength means. I chose to honour her. Q: What influences your style of winemaking? A: Love and passion of life and nature. The 12th edition of Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival takes place at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost between R150 and R180.
lovers will be spoiled for the choice of the best South African Methode Cap Classique and Champagnes at the Brooklyn Bubbles Festival to be held at Brooklyn Mall next Friday and Saturday.
annual Gin & Tonic Festival returns to Cape Town on Sunday and will be held The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. Tickets cost between R120 and R150.