The Winery
Sparkling wine by the half-bottle is perfect for sharing a glass before dinner. I love this tradition so much that I've stocked up on half-sizes to assure a steady supply.
Graham Beck is South Africa's top producer of sparkling wine, and they consider it to be such a gem in their crown that it was served at inaugural parties for both Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama.
A company's human rights record is more evident in their actions than their political statements. Just ask Graham Beck, and they'll take you on a tour of the sustainable vineyards and employee housing and benefits they provide. They invested in the local communities long ago, knowing it was the only path to long-term success.
The Wine
The wine is made following S.Africa's "Cap Classique" method - the same techniques as the "Methode Traditionnelle" established by the Champagne region. In this process, fermented wine undergoes a secondary fermentation and aging on the yeast in this very bottle (as opposed to the older 'Ancestrale' or 'Pet Nat' method, wherein the bottle is simply stoppered prior to completing fermentation, allowing bubbles to form in that way). As is common in Champagne, this is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (nearly 50/50). The fruit is all estate fruit from the winery's South African vineyards in Robertson and Stellenbosch.
The wine was given enough time on the lees to develop the subtle yeasty undertones that remind me of any sparkling wine with a respected pedigree. On the finish, look for some chalk/seashell minerality all with mouth-watering acidity that combine to make this an excellent food wine.
