It was apt that while I visited Franschhoek a week ago, for the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival, that I popped in at Le Coin Français, and was introduced to the new Grand Provence Brut and Rosé Brut MCCs by Chef Darren Badenhorst.
The new Mèthode Cap Classique wines are non-vintage, and have been launched alongside the flagship Grande Provence Vintage Brut 2011.
The media release describes the two sparkling wines as follows:
# ‘The new Grande Provence Brut MCC is a beautifully balanced blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the yeasty character and complexity of freshly baked bread. Crisp acidity and delicate fruit lend ample freshness to the creamy mousse. This is a bubbly for all seasons, any time of the day. It also goes well with light dishes. Try it with asparagus, avocado, grilled white fish kebabs or chicken satays – and don’t forget the sushi!’
#. ‘Its counterpart, the new Grande Provence Rosé Brut MCC, derives its seductive pale salmon hue from a dash of Pinotage added to the blend. The result is a vibrant bubbly bursting with red berry and strawberry flavours and a lively mousse of delicate bubbles. The richly textured flavours of Pinot Noir combined with the elegant structure of Chardonnay and the uniqueness of Pinotage, ensure a multi-layered flavour profile. Escape the humdrum with a flute of this delightful Rosé or enjoy it with a host of foods such as smoked salmon trout, strawberries, fruit based dessert and even dark chocolate. It’s the ultimate partner for sashimi.’
The new MCCs were made using only the best quality free-running juice from whole bunch pressed grapes. The blended base wines underwent a second fermentation in the bottle, to give the wines their bubbles. After fermentation, the wine was matured on the lees, for an average of 15 months. ‘Time spent on the lees lends complexity to the wine and we are delighted with the nuanced yet fresh, youthful character of both our new MCCs’,” Grande Provence winemaker Hagen Viljoen said.
Le Coin Français is serving the new Grande Provence MCCs as a welcome drink.
Grande Provence, Brut and Brut Rosé MCC. Tel (021) 876-8600. www.grandeprovence.co.za Twitter: @grande_Provence Instagram: @grandeprovence R145 per bottle.
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein
