Under the Influence of Cap Classique tasting

Notes from the pen of Under the Influence’s newest recruit – Chris Campbell

A blustery and chilly evening in Camps Bay was the weatherman’s contribution to our latest tasting in Cape Town. Not to worry though, we were soon warm and toasty in our charming tasting room (Estate agent speak for rustic!), ready for a refreshing walk through some of the Cape’s best bubblies. Fasie, the evening’s host, got proceedings off with a bang when he offered the entire tasting room stock (around three thousand bottles) as a prize to anyone who could guess the two varietals in an unlabelled bubbly. My initial alarm at this unplanned act of charity was soon placated as Fasie had good reason to be confident of holding onto our stock. After a bit of coaxing the guesses were soon flying around the room but none came close to the truth – Braeburn and Granny Smith – an experimental cider based bubbly produced by Ross Gower – La Pomme Pérignon!

Not wanting to let the residual Granny Smith flavour fade away, we reawakened those senses with Steenberg’s 1682 Brut. Villiera’s Monro Brut 2003 was next up to the plate and carried the flag for the more mature MCC’s, coming in as the oldest vintage of the evening. From there it was a battle of the pinks, with Rosés on display from Steenberg (Pinot Noir Brut 2006), Villiera (Brut Rosé NV) and Ross Gower (Brut Rosé NV). The Ross Gower came with added excitement as Fasie demonstrated the age old disgorgement process. An intrepid adventurer from the floor attempted the second bottle and was successfully rewarded with a flying blob of lees!

Two very different MCC’s from Graham Beck filled our glasses next. For those with a sweeter tooth, the praline and honey overtones of the Bliss Demi-Sec satisfied the cravings for something with a bit of sugar. Soon thereafter the tastebuds had a chance to dry out whilst being tickled by the fine mousse of the Brut Blanc de Blancs 2006 – definitely hints of lime playing across the palette.

The final addition to the evening was the Camberley Sparkling Shiraz 2004. As expected it lived up to its reputation of being bold and spicy. Fortunately it was served at frigid temperatures which subdued some of the boisterous spiciness and allowed for enjoyable savouring of one of the Banghoek pass area’s most interesting creations!

All in all a successful evening of MCC deconstruction! February has been declared White Wine Awareness Month and we will march on through the next few weeks visiting Chenin’s, Chardonnay’s and Blends. You can find out more about upcoming tastings here – www.undertheinfluence.co.za/tastings.