Celebrates what matters with Graham Beck
In the 80’s Franschhoek was a sleepy little town, not much happened there except the wine makers meeting at the hotel on the corner for a beer on weekends. My friend from the age of 12, Ann McWilliam Smith who is kind enough to stay friends with me until today, is at the heart of this story and this very much revolves around her parents who were visionary. They started a restaurant called Le Quartier Français, in the main road of this town that was quaint but quiet. To say I adored Ann’s mother is an understatement, she was the kindest person with the biggest heart, and showed me affection when I was a shy teen. Slowly people started coming to the restaurant, which was a huge success, and things changed. Around 1986, my ex and I started going to Franschhoek every year after Christmas, often staying for weeks, visiting Ann and her husband to be Pieter. Pieter was then a youngster full of jokes, running up and down on tractors in his khaki shorts, always smiling and chatting. It is amazing to think back at those days, I have an album of photos of all the houses in Franschhoek that stood in the dusty roads all looking a bit shabby. I have one photo that I love of a house painted two tone yellow and light blue, and the owner painted his car the same two tones from the same paint. Well, fast forward to 2022, those shabby house are now worth millions of Dollars, and I am going to bold enough to say that my friends and their family has a lot to do with what Franschhoek is now. The vision of what Pieter had as a young man, is also the success behind the fabulous bubbly we now can enjoy in South Africa without paying Champagne prices. We have been blessed by the visionary Graham Beck too- who gave Pieter the opportunity to build a business which has now become the legendary Cap Classique sparkling wine. A product so good, Obama ordered cases of the Brut for his inaugural party.
Pieter has been with the estate since the maiden vintage in 1991, he has been instrumental in cementing the winery as one of the world’s leading producers of premium Cap Classique. Pieter has recently transitioned into the position of Graham Beck’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), after a remarkable 32 years at the helm of the cellar.
I think we take it for granted that we have a product that is just as good as a bottle imported from France, at affordable prices. And we have Pieter and Graham Beck to thank for this.
Ann and Pieter are now world renowned as Mr and Mrs Bubbles, very much deserved, and I imagine how proud I am.
From grape to glass the entire process of producing a Graham Beck Cap Classique relies on meticulous attention to detail, dedication to authenticity, precision timing and plenty of patience. The Graham Beck team is passionately pursuing the perfect bubble – a golden thread of excellence runs throughout the entire process and portfolio. The term Cap Classique has been used in South Africa since 1992. The name is derived from the fact that, by law, sparkling wines are not allowed to be called “Champagnes” in SA, although they use exactly the same methods as in France – giving rise to: Cap (Cape) Classique (classic French method). It has become a prestigious category that’s exclusive to South Africa. Graham Beck bubblies have received numerous awards and accolades both locally and abroad, testimony to the fact that they are serious contenders in the international arena, often setting the quality benchmark in terms of forging a unique style and unmistakable identity.
An iconic sparkling wine that has carved out a niche in the history books - affectionately dubbed the “President’s Choice”, is the Brut NV was served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and to celebrate Barack Obama’s presidential nomination.
ABOUT THE COLLECTION:
Characterised by unmistakable sophistication, elegance, quality and consistency, this award-winning range of Cap Classique (Méthode Cap Classique) sparkling wines is revered around the globe for their inimitable versatility and sheer drinking pleasure.
The Graham Beck Cap Classique portfolio comprises four tiers - The Non-Vintage (NV) Collection (Brut NV, Brut Rosé NV, Bliss Nectar NV and Bliss Nectar Rosé NV), The Vintage Collection (Blanc de Blancs, Ultra Brut and Pinot Noir Rosé), Artisan Collection (Extended Lees Ageing, Yin & Yang), and The Prestige Collection (Cuvée Clive). Each of these wines demonstrates its own authentic character, with exceptional individual attributes, yet every bubbly also displays the instantly recognisable hallmarks of a being honed in the unique Graham Beck Way.
The Non Vintage (NV) Collection
“Non Vintage” is a term used to refer to wines blended from multiple years. This style of wine reflects the signature of the house brand of Graham Beck. The ‘recipe’ remains unchanging and equal amounts of the base wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are consistently used to maintain a specific house style. This tier expresses the aperitif character of the wine and is intended to cleanse the palate, stimulate the taste buds and entice you to progress to the ‘next level’ in your tasting journey as you savour the nuances and complexities of the Vintage Cap Classique range.
The Vintage Collection
The term “Vintage” refers to Cap Classique sparkling wine made from the harvest of a single year. This category of Graham Beck Cap Classiques is an expression of the very best selection of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from that specific year to authentically reflect the Vintage portfolio. In the Blanc de Blancs the best expression of Chardonnay is considered, while the unique character of the Rosé takes its specific fingerprint from the luscious Pinot Noir fruit which is its foundation varietal. The Brut Zero is only produced in exceptional vintages when we are permitted by Mother Nature to give expression to the extended lees contact required to compensate for the lack of dosage.
The Prestige Collection
As its name implies this category comprises the Cap Classique we deem to have reached the very zenith of skills as ultra premium Cap Classique Sparkling Wine producers, namely our Cuvée Clive.
