Because the French are a proprietorial bunch when it comes to the use of the word “champagne,” South African producers using the classic French method of champagne-making decided to call their sparkling wines Méthode Cap Classique (MCC), to distinguish their wines from wines that are simply injected with carbon dioxide.
Although South African producers use the traditional method – which includes a second bottle fermentation – they are not restricted to the traditional grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay) used in Champagne, which means that they can be a little more creative with their blends.
The Franschhoek Valley, where French Huguenots settled in the late 17th century, is home to roughly a quarter of the Cape’s MCC producers. The Franschoek Cap Classique Route groups together 18 MCC producers from Backsberg Estate Cellar on the Klapmuts-Simondium road to Morena on the Franschhoek Pass.
You won’t be able to tackle them all in one day, so make a weekend of it, and enlist the help of a driver to get you safely from one farm to the next. Here’s a taste of what you can expect…
Backsberg Wine Estate
Since this winery opened in 1916, it has been under the ownership of the Back family. Sydney Back, an award-winning winemaker whose name is familiar to any self-respecting South Africa wine connoisseur, was one of the first winemakers to plant Chardonnay in South Africa. It is perhaps not surprising, then, that his family’s farm produces a 100% Chardonnay MCC. What is surprising is that the winery also produces a kosher version of the MCC. The estate, which actually produces a range of kosher wines, is the only winery in South Africa that produces a kosher MCC.
While you’re there: If you are keen to find out a little more about how single varietals are used to create wine blends, book the interactive Blending Experience (R85/$8).
Tastings: Mon-Fri: 08:30 – 17:00, Sat: 09:30 – 16:30, Sun: 10:30 – 16:30.
Contact: www.backsberg.co.za / +27 21 874 9041.
Noble Hill
Noble Hill, which is owned by American mother-and-son duo Kathleen and Kristopher Tillery, breaks the mold with its beautiful and creatively decorated tasting room. If you’re lucky, you will get to meet Kathleen, who will regale you with stories about how her lack of Afrikaans makes neighborhood meetings tricky and anecdotes about the shape of Marie Antoinette’s left breast. What you won’t get to do is taste the estate’s MCC. Because Noble Hill only produces 1260 bottles of its Blanc de Blancs, the only way you’ll get to taste it is if you buy a glass in the estate’s Latin-American-inspired restaurant, cosecha.
While you’re there: Order a picnic basket packed full of charcuterie, local cheeses, artisanal breads and a bottle of Noble Hill Blanc de Blancs.
Tastings: Mon- Sun: 10:00 – 17:00.
Contact: www.noblehill.com / +2721 874 3844
Allée Bleue Estate & Wines
When it comes to MCCs, this stately farm has two offerings: a classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and a flirty brut rosé (Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and Pinot Noir). If it’s a sunny day, sit on one of the comfy couches on the shady terrace overlooking the vineyards and nearby mountains. The friendly staff pour the cap classique with a generous hand, so order the sumptuous cheese platter and enjoy a little impromptu cheese-and-wine pairing.
While you’re there: Plan your visit for a Friday so that you can take advantage of the Allée Bleue Herb Tour (R185/$17.35), which includes a three-course herb-inspired meal.
Tastings: Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 17:00, Sat: 10:00 – 17:00, Sun: 10:00 – 16:00.
Contact: www.alleebleue.com / +27 21 874 1021
La Motte
A trip to La Motte is something of a cultural excursion. The estate, which has been owned by the wealthy Rupert family since the 1970s, boasts four historical buildings and an extensive art collection. While the La Motte Méthode Cap Classique (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) puts this estate on the MCC route, you won’t be able to taste it in the impressive tasting room. Given that a bottle sells for R345 ($32.35), this is not entirely surprising. You can, however, order yourself a glass in the estate’s award-winning restaurant, Pierneef à La Motte.
While you’re there: Browse the baked goods in the farm shop, check out the collection of contemporary South African art in the museum, or take a conducted tour of the estate’s historic buildings.
Tastings: Mon – Sat: 09:00 – 17:00.
Contact: www.la-motte.com / +27 21 876 8000
Môreson
This family-owned farm oozes charm: the staff chat and joke with customers as if they were old friends, and the family dog, Miss Molly, has her own wine range. The farm, which focuses on growing Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, produces three MCCs. The awarded-winning Solitaire Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay), which undergoes a 24-month maturation, is refreshingly affordable. The farm also produces two rosés in the traditional manner – Môreson Pink and Miss Molly Petit Rosé Bubbly – and, by the time you have tasted all three, you will be more than ready for a bite to eat at the farm’s restaurant, Bread & Wine.
While you’re there: The restaurant’s chef, Neil Jewell, is famous for his charcuterie, so indulge a little and opt for the Charcuterie and Wine Tasting.
Tastings: Mon – Sun: 09:30 – 17:00.
Contact: www.moreson.co.za / +27 21 876 3055
Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards
Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards might be situated right next door to La Motte and owned by the same family (owner Hein Koegelenberg married into the Rupert family), but it feels completely different. Everything about this winery – from the open-plan glass-heavy architecture to the décor – feels utterly modern. The winery has one MCC, the Culinaria Brut Méthode Cap Classique (a traditional blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier), that can only be bought at the estate. Sit at the bar in the tasting room, where the knowledgeable staff will give you a rundown on all the wines, or sip a wine cocktail on the veranda.
While you’re there: You need to book in advance, but the Friday morning Food & Wine Pairings are well worth the R120 ($11.25) per person. Six wines from the Culinaria collection are paired with examples of ideal food partners.
Tastings: Tues – Sat: 09:00 – 17:00, Sun: 11:00 – 17:00
Contact: www.leopards-leap.com / +27 21 876 8002
Haute Cabriere
The view of the Franschhoek valley from Haute Cabrière is spectacular. The wines aren’t bad either. Combine the two and you have the ingredients for a perfect afternoon. When winemaker Achim von Arnim purchased a piece of land originally owned by French Huguenot Pierre Jourdan, he set about planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the intention of producing French-style sparkling wines. The cap classiques produced by the winery – Pierre Jourdan Brut (blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) and Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose (100% Pinot Noir) – pay tribute to the French Huguenot who originally hailed from the town of Cabrière.
While you’re there: Ask for a demonstration of sabrage, the technique of opening a bottle of champagne with a French cavalry sabre.
Tastings: Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00, Cellar Master’s Tour 11am, Sun 11:00 – 16:00.
Contact: www.cabriere.co.za / +27 21 876 8500
Colmant Cap Classique and Champagne
In 2002, the Colmant family emigrated from French-speaking Belgium to South Africa. Their farm is dedicated exclusively to the production of MCC. The farm’s bottle maturation room has the capacity to store 100 000 bottles, so Colmant bubbly undergoes bottle maturation for at least two years. The Colmants produce five different cap classiques that, with the exception of the Brut Chardonnay, are all blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition to producing its own cap classiques, the winery also imports champagne – Follet-Ramillon, Tribaut, and Mailly Grand Cru.
While you’re there: If you are travelling in a group, be sure to book the Colmant Bubbly Experience, which is led by Jean-Philippe Colmant. Because Colmant also imports champagne, the experience includes blind tastings comparing Colmant MCCs to imported champagnes.
Tastings: Open by appointment.
Contact: www.colmant.co.za / +27 21 876 4348 or +27 72 368 4942
