The Cap Classique Producers Association (CCPA) was established in 1992 by a group of like-minded producers who share a passion for bottle-fermented sparkling wines, made according to the traditional method (Méthode Champenoise). Their version is to promote South Africa's premium Méthode Cap Classique wines, as well as the common interests of the producers. They also intend to establish Cap Classique as a generic term to describe these wines, ensuring that it is recognised both locally and in the international marketplace.
Champagne’s controlling body, CIVC, objected to the use of the word 'Champenoise' by other sparkling producers. As a result, Cape producers came up with an alternative name and, in South Africa, became known as Method Cap Classique, and more recently Cap Classique.
The name was derived from the fact that the classic art of winemaking was introduced to the Cape by the French Huguenots, and the first bottle-fermented sparkling wine produced at the Cape was called Kaapse Vonkel (Cape Sparkle).
Cap Classique have to age for 12 months on their lees, this was upped from 9 months in 2023, although as you will note below all the Cap Classiques that I rated have a longer time on lees. The more age they have, the more of those classic aromatics of Parisian pastries and succulent refreshing textured fruit and depth.
There is no question that Cap Classique offers value and a great introduction to the world of sparkling wines, but if you are buying then do check how long they’ve aged for. In general, the main grapes that they use are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a few experimenting with Chenin Blanc. Pinotage can also be added and gives a good colour to Rose.
Steenberg 1682 Brut NV RRP £17.99
This does have a small percentage of reserve solera wine, and 18 months on lees; clean fresh and focused bruised apple with delicate refined peaches and nectarines. It has a pleasant lingering fresh finish
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rose 2022 RRP £14.00
15 months on lees and is made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and a touch of Pinotage. This has a lovely light salmon colour, floral and berry notes, fresh clean palate with a refreshing bright note, easy drinking.
Laborie Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2018 RRP £17.00
48 months on lees. This is textured and has elegance from its time on lees, aromatic, lime peel, grilled apples, racy, clean notes on the finish with hints of stone fruit.
Haute Cabrierre Pierre Jordan Blanc de Blancs 2018 RRP £25.00
With five years on lees this is a more serious style, with a tangerine-perfumed nose, restrained stone fruit and youthful notes, will benefit from more bottle age to fully show its potential.
Steenberg Lady R 2019 RRP £46.00
Textured, refined, chalk and mineral notes, this Pinot Noir-dominated sparkling shows potential. Fresh, focused, clusters of delight red berries balanced by some juicy stone fruit and good body.
Graham Beck Cuvee Clive 2018 RRP £40.00
Over five years on lees gives this youthful celebrity Cap Classique plenty of depth and flavour, Chardonnay-led, this refined wine needs time to age to fulfill its true potential just as with vintage Champagne. For £40.00 available online in the UK it is a bargain for such quality.
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2019 RRP £23.00
This is an outstanding Blanc de Blancs especially at £23.00, delivering all the notes you want in a fine sparkling wine – tangerine, nectarines, brioche, fresh and focused, chalk, taut, focused, a delight.
Villiera Brut Monro RRP £24.00
Six years on lees, this much awarded sparkling is a balance of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Creamy and textured, fresh and focused with brioche and yeasty notes, refined elegant stone fruit, that sits well on the palate.
Reflection
We do not see many Cap Classique sparkling wines in the UK besides Graham Beck… I think they need to make themselves more visible in the market and challenge themselves by entering competitions outside Cape Town. If they want to compare themselves to Champagne they need to challenge and enter the big competitions such as CSWWC, Decanter and IWSC. There is quality there, especially where they are aged longer on lees and we need to see more of these great value Cap Classique in the UK.
