Méthode Cap Classique, the South African equivalent of the traditional French Champagne production, continues to enjoy massive sales success.

“Asbubbly producers we don’t need to participate in the economic recession,” quipped Cap Classique Producers Association chairman Jeff Grier at a recent wine event.

But there’s more than a hint of truth in the humour: bubbly sales continue to increase year-on-year and local Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) producers are having to move smartly to keep up with the continually increasing demand. One of the problems with this is the time required to ensure that quality is maintained and that the process is not short-circuited.

The 55-member Cap Classique Producers Association has set uncompromising standards – and 12 months minimum lees contact is just one of them, along with maturation on the cork. The mere fact that there are 55 winemakers specialising in bubbly off an almost zero base 30 years ago is a remarkable achievement.

There’s a level of sophistication obvious in Méthode Cap Classique. Over the past 20 years local bubbly makers have incrementally ratcheted up their quality – initially in the production of base wines, use of yeast strains, time on lees, use of dosage and finally time on the cork. Not only that but there is a spread of styles emerging – brut, extra-brut or zero dosage, vintage, non-vintage, special cuvees, rosé and even some interesting demi-sec wines.

Concomitant with the huge advances in quality has been the recognition that the lengthy, labour intensive process deserves more reward. In the 1980’s, Cap Classique was available for less than R10/bottle. Nowadays, some of the top MCCs command prices well over R100 and R200 a bottle – taking them into the same price range of ‘bargain’ Champagne.

The Kumkani Infinti MCC 2004 has a good, frothy mousse, a fine, lazy bead and the nose is toasty with a hint of nuts. It has a creamy entrance with a rich, complex palate of nuts, warm toast and medium, spicy, fruity candy flavours with a complex, full persistent finish. It sells for roughly R70 at most leading liquor stores.

Source: wine.co.za