The Art of Premium Cap Classique Sparkling Wines From Across the Cape Winelands Celebrated in London at an Impressive Showcase Tasting…

September 19, 2026 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ Leave a comment

Cap Classique has emerged as one of the sparkling wine world’s most compelling success stories. Produced using the same traditional method as Champagne – secondary fermentation in the bottle, or “méthode cap classique” – these wines undergo extended lees ageing of minimum 12 months that develops the complex, toasty, brioche-like character prized by connoisseurs worldwide. South Africa’s diverse terroirs, from the cool coastal vineyards of Robertson, Walker Bay and Elgin to the historic slopes of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, provide the ideal conditions for growing the classic varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, that form the backbone of exceptional Cap Classique wines.

What sets this category apart is its remarkable combination of Old World craftsmanship and New World vibrancy and precision. Winemakers here have spent decades researching and refining their techniques, and the results speak for themselves: bright steely acidities, fine persistent mousse, and layered autolytic complexity that rivals wines costing a great deal more.

International recognition has followed accordingly and Cap Classique producers now regularly claim top honours at global sparkling wine competitions, while exports continue to climb as sommeliers and consumers discover the category’s exceptional value proposition. With over 100 producers now crafting these wines and quality standards continuing to rise, the Cap Classique category represents not just a regional specialty, but a genuine contender on the world sparkling wine stage.

As a long time lover and aficionado of both top Champagne and Cap Classique sparkling wines having done my Master of Wine dissertation on Cap Classique production in Constantia Valley, I relish every opportunity to taste new releases as the wines seem to simply get better and better. Hot on the heels of Pieter “Bubbles” Ferreira retiring from Graham Beck as head winemaker and cellar master to focus on his own eponymous Cap Classique venture, Pieter and his wife Anne were in London recently firstly for Pieter to receive the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Lifetime Achievement Award and secondly to present, on behalf of the Cap Classique Association, an impressive line up of current release Cap Classique sparkling wines over a stunning breakfast.

Springfield Estate Garuzis Brut NV Cap Classique

Zippy and zesty aromatics, crisp, saline and incredibly elegant with an understated intensity.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2024 Cap Classique

Rich bold toasty aromatics with honeycomb, brioche and leesy biscuit length. A classic.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Babylonstoren Sprankel Brut 2019 Cap Classique

Fulsome and creamy in the mouth, expansive mousse, very fine bubbles with a saline, oyster shell finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

L’Ormarins Brut Classique Rose 2022 Cap Classique

Delicate rose petals and cherry blossom perfume with hints of ginger and cranberry, finishing with a nutty, creamy length. Very impressive.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Paul Rene Wines Pinot Noir / Chardonnay Brut Rose 2022 Cap Classique

Strawberries and cream top notes with pink musk and delicately savoury nuances. Fulsome palate with zesty fresh medley of red fruits. Very classy, accomplished Cap Classique.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine des Dieux Rose of Sharon Rose 2016 Cap Classique

Orange copper colour, aromatics show tertiary depth, brioche, macerated strawberries, blood orange and a delicately savoury saline finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Krone Twee Jonge Gezellen Blanc de Blancs 2021 Cap Classique

Chalky, stony, lemon sherbet bon bons notes, the palate taut and nervy, crisp, steely and focused with a salted brioche length.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs Brut 2020 Cap Classique

Sleek, spicy lemon grass and grapefruit citrus, super fresh after 5 years on lees, tight knit, saline with a steely focus. Such incredible precision.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Jacques Bruere Bon Courage Blanc de Blancs Brut 2015 Cap Classique

100% Chardonnay, shows rich, leesy, smoky aromatics, with apple strudel, brioche and sourdough complexity. Tart tangy acids rest comfortably alongside, lemony, leesy tertiary hints.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Steenberg Lady R 2019 Cap Classique

Delicate, subtle aromatics of lemon peel, limestone and dried herbs follow to a leesy, biscuity palate with salted pistachios and kelpy, saline apple strudel nuances.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Graham Beck Cuvee Clive 2019 Cap Classique

Deep complex aromatics show salted brioche, leesy biscuit and delicate kelpy oyster shell nuances. Pinpoint and precise, incredibly focused and fine, a dreamy creamy mousse with such elegance, tension and finesse.

(Wine Safari Score: 96+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Spier Prestige Chardonnay / Pinot Noir Prestige Cuvee 2018 Cap Classique

A steely, saline, oyster shell aromatics with briney, kelpy nuances. Palate is plush and broad, creamy and intense with salted brioche, apple strudel pastries and a long, leesy nutty finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Krone Twee Jonge Gezellen Borealis Vintage Cuvee Brut 2024 Cap Classique

Lemon and herbs, spicy brioche and lemon peel notes, salted pistachios with a picante fine mousse and a persistent salinity.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Neetlingshof Brut NV Cap Classique

Bready, biscuity doughy aromatics, with hints of wild strawberry and peach skins before a creamy, zesty explosive saline finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Des Dieux Claudia Brut 2021 Cap Classique

Delicately earthy and savoury with macerated red berries, brioche and stewed strawberries. Complex autolytic notes with a crisp, energetic mousse, finishing with a tangy vibrant finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Krone Twee Jonge Gezellen Rose Cuvee Brut 2024 Cap Classique

Dense and complex, this shows real depth and precision, macerated strawberry, savoury hints, ginger and potpourri spice. Tangy, intense and impressive.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Villiera Tradition Brut Rose NV Cap Classique

Complex nose of wet tobacco leaf, cranberry and rose petal hints with limestone mineral nuances. Full in the mouth, plush and creamy with an enticing candied red cherry fruit length.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rose 2019 Cap Classique

Macerated strawberries and red berry fruits, with hints of musk and limestone. Cool, linear and precise, an explosive mousse and real energy and precision.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Brut Cap Classique

Lemon and lime peel zest, pure fresh and taut, the mousse delicately sappy and smoky with a savoury, creamy finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 91/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Paul Rene Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV Cap Classique

Complex oyster shell notes with limestone, kelpy nuances, lemon and lime characters coming through on the savoury finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 91+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2022 Cap Classique

Wonderfully fresh and zesty, sleek and precise with lime peel, waxy lemons, chalky minerality and a compact, energetic mousse. Youthful but impressive pedigree.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Many thanks to Clare Malec at Island Media and the Cap Classique Association for organising this excellent event. For more information, contact:

clare@island-media.co.uk

From the Fine Wine Safari Cellar – Part 10: Tasting the Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2012 Maiden Release…

August 21, 2026August 21, 2026 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ Leave a comment

Pieter “Bubbles” Ferreira – South Africa’s most celebrated Cap Classique winemaker – retired from Graham Beck in January 2026 after 37 years at the helm, having joined in 1990 and crafted the estate’s traditional-method sparkling wines from its maiden vintage. Alongside his career at Graham Beck, he and his wife Ann quietly built their own eponymous project, Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique, releasing their first wines from the 2012 vintage, with Ann formally owning the brand while Pieter acted as winemaker.

Now fully retired from Graham Beck, Pieter continues this new chapter with Ann focusing solely on their own brand that will soon become five cuvées with the release of a Blanc de Noirs – a fitting next act for the man synonymous with South African Cap Classique bubbles.

Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012, WO Westetn Cape, 12% Abv.

Having recently tasted my last bottle of Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2012 made by Pieter Ferreira, I was desperate to taste his own label, maiden release equivalent. So I cracked a bottle with a friend who I had shared the Graham Beck 2012 with, and we were not disappointed. My friends first comment on nosing his glass, even before tasting, was WOW! This smashes most Champagnes! Firstly, the colour is much lighter and brighter with a lemon peel gold yellow colour and pristine aromatics of glazed salted brioche, waxy apple skins and yellow grapefruit pith. The palate is beautifully composed – compact, fresh and incredibly youthful and vibrant showing a twang of saline briney sourdough complexity with hints of apple strudel, chamomile tea, lime cordial and tart toffee apples on the finish. So intense, creamy, vibrant and complex. A stunning wine by any international yardstick! Drink now to 2034.

(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

The Pieter Ferreira wines are imported into the UK by RAKQ Wines.

From the Fine Wine Safari Cellar – Part 9: Tasting the Graham Beck Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2012…

May 30, 2026June 1, 2026 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ Leave a comment

Situated in South Africa’s breathtakingly pretty Robertson wine region, Graham Beck has firmly established itself as a premier global benchmark for Cap Classique quality, the country’s prestigious traditional method sparkling wine style. Crafted on a unique estate defined by limestone-rich soils and extreme diurnal temperature swings, these world-class bubblies showcase an exceptional balance of bright acidity, vibrant fruit profiles, and complex depth.

While the estate’s entire portfolio captures the essence of refined Cap Classique craftsmanship, most notably with their premium ‘Cuvee Clive’ bottling, their Blanc de Blancs stands out historically as a true crowning jewel. Crafted from 100% hand-selected Chardonnay clones and partially fermented in Champenoise barrels, this acclaimed vintage sparkling wine epitomises true elegance. Extended lees aging infuses the palate with rich layers of creamy brioche and roasted almonds, building toward a long, saline-tinged finish.

*Now retired from Graham Beck and focusing on his own label, Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira was the mastermind behind Graham Beck’s global Cap Classique dominance.*

Whether marking a historic moment, such as being poured at the presidential celebrations of Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama, or elevating an intimate gathering, Graham Beck’s Cap Classique wines capture the true spirit of celebration. Ultimately, their Blanc de Blancs serves as an undeniable testament to South Africa’s world-class sparkling wine culture and terroir.

Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2012, WO Western Cape, 12.5% Abv.

Still a fresh vibrant bright golden lemon yellow in the glass, the wine is zippy and fresh, the bubbles dancing in the glass with verve and vigour. The first sniff confirms the youthful machinations of this wine, loaded with brioche, bergamot lemons, hints of honey and leesy autolysis. Most importantly, the tertiary notes are pure, precise and beautifully integrated with the citrus and toasted sourdough nuances, finishing with real electricity, an energetic mousse and delightfully tangy acids. Guests I served this blind to called Blanc de Blancs but went straight to Champagne because of its creamy balance, acid freshness and overall complexity. What a treat when ageing a wine rewards you like this. Drink now but no rush at all!

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Graham Beck – In Good Company with Pieter ‘bubbles’ Ferreira and Some Great Bottles of Fizz…

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ Leave a comment

I had been looking forward to my lunch tasting date with Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira for many weeks. The opportunity to discuss Method Cap Classique (MCC) and Champagne intricacies with one of South Africa’s best winemakers is always a privilege … and of course MCC was my topic of choice for my Master of Wine dissertation completed back in 2007.

On this trip, Pieter and Graham Beck Export Manager Kobie were on their well rehearsed mission to share the diversity and opportunities that great MCC offers with fine cuisine food matching.

Expertly conceived and delivered, I can’t think of a better way to promote super premium sparkling wines than this. Well done chaps! Great wines and a wonderful occasion.

Graham Beck Cuvee Clive 2011 Brut, 12.5 Abv.

This excellent 76% Chardonnay / 24% Pinot Noir prestige cuvee blend spent 6 years on its lees and was created from 120 micro-vinified parcels of fruit from Robertson and Graham Beck’s Firgrove farm in Stellenbosch. This new release shows fantastic lemon cream biscuit and seductive brioche notes, lemon rind, salty briney intensity and subtle wet chalk and savoury lemony sourdough complexity. Such subtlety, interwoven, nuanced blossom fruit and limestone minerality. The palate breadth and depth is tantalising, with tingling acids dancing across the tongue but tempered by rich creamy brioche, and leesy, dusty mineral restraint. Beautiful pin point focus, delicate maritime salty kelp and salt marsh umami notes, and a very long, intense, focused finished. This is a benchmark sparkling wine in every possible way and a phenomenal follow-up to both the 2009 and 2010 Cuvee Clive vintages. Pieter Bubbles Ferreira is a veritable genius!

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)