Not all sparkling wines are made equally. South Africa’s Cap Classique is a great, affordable alternative to Champagne. Here’s why:
The beautiful quality of the South African Cap Classique is a well hidden secret for most people. In the same way that Champagne only comes from the Champagne region of France, in South Africa they use the term Méthode Cap Classique, or MCC, about their best sparkling wines. Cap Classique is made with the same winemaking process as Champagne, by creating a second fermentation in the bottle. This is when the bubbles are made. It is called the traditional method or méthode champenoise, and makes the highest quality sparkling wines in the world.
Great QPR
Not all sparkling wines are made equally, there are many cheaper ways to get bubbles into the wine (in a big tank for instance). Thus, if you’re looking for wines with similar quality to non-vintage Champagne, South Africa’s Cap Classique is a great alternative. Since it’s not from the Champagne region, it is more affordable. We all love wine with great QPR.
An association of like-minded quality producers
The term Cap Classique has been used in South Africa since 1992, when a group of like-minded producers making sparkling wines according to the traditional method, came together and established an association. The aim was to promote South Africa’s premium sparkling wines both locally and in the international market, as well as differentiating it from other sparkling wine producers using cheaper methods and therefore making simpler sparkling wines of lower quality. The Association annually tastes its own member’s final wines to ensure it holds high quality.
South African wine production has deep roots
The name Cap Classique derives from the fact that the classic art of winemaking was introduced to the Cape by the French Huguenots 350 years ago. All though South African wine production has deep roots and traditions, the wine country is sometimes labeled as New World. They like to think about themselves as Old World, though.
Le Lude and a beautiful, black bottle
Le Lude is a family-owned winery in Franschhoek, and one of the few South African wine producers who exclusively makes Cap Classique. Grapes are hand picked early morning during cool temperatures to ensure maximum freshness. The bunches are pressed whole and only the first free-run juice is used to make the base wine. After bottling the second fermentation takes place, when the yeast eats the sugar in the wine converting it to alcohol while creating millions of tiny bubbles. The lees that are left behind give flavour and complexity to the wine. The wine is matured for a minimum of 36 months on the lees, then on the final cork for 6 months after disgorging to ensures balance and integration. Only then is the wine released.
Le Lude Reserve Brut
Franschhoek, South Africa
Grapes: Chardonnay 91%, Pinot Noir 9%
Kr 479 at Vinmonopolet
Le Lude Reserve Brut NV is a classic blend of 91% Chardonnay and 9% Pinot Noir, with only 6 g/l residual sugar. Pale lemon color with a nose of lemon citrus, yeast, green apple and brioche. On the palate it delivers white grapefruit, apple, minerals and yeast with that lovely, creamy mouthfeel you also find in a fine Champagne. Beautiful freshness and elegance in a stream of tiny, lively bubbles.
Le Lude Reserve Brut Rosé
Franschhoek, South Africa
Grapes: Chardonnay 71%, Pinot Noir 29%
Kr 479 at Vinmonopolet
A rising star in the world’s sparkling wine scene
There are many contestants in the world’s sparkling wine beauty contest, South Africa’s Cap Classique is always in the finals. And Le Lude is one of their most acclaimed producers, celebrated by respected wine writers and critics world wide. Decanter World Wine Award lauded Le Lude “The Best Cap Classique in South Africa” in 2019. Often a touch fruitier than French bubbles, Cap Classique wines pair excellently with most dishes, or simply to be enjoyed alone.
SHE Community and Memoirs of Cape Wine Import
Read the fascinating story about two young, female entrepreneurs who started wine import from South Africa to Norway, how they discovered Cap Classique and Le Lude’s hidden secret – and decided to do something about it. SHE Community
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