Drink your favourite bubbly on its own, serve it as a pre-dinner drink to wake up the taste buds, or use it as a cocktail mixer for extra punch. But first things first:
How to open and pour bubbly like a pro
· Open bubbly bottles with extreme care. Aim the bottle away from your face (and anyone else’s), hold the cork and gently rotate the bottle to ease it out.
· To prevent your glass from bubbling over with foam, tilt it and pour a small amount down the inside, let it settle, then fill the glass.
· A tulip-shaped flute allows you the exhilarating sight of the tiny bubbles racing up the glass, as well as concentrating the bouquet at the top.
· Bounce a diamond ring around the base of the inside of your flute glasses to roughen the surface and ensure a spectacular mousse.
KNOW YOUR BUBBLY
SPARKLING WINE: Any wine that has a bubble in it.
CHAMPAGNE: Wines made in the Champagne region of France using the “Champagne method”, in which wine is fermented a second time in the bottle. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are the only grapes that may be used.
MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE (MCC): A South African name for sparkling wines made using the Champagne method, most often using Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir.
CAVA AND PROSECCO: Champagne-method sparkling wines, the former from Spain and the latter from northern Italy.
ALLAN RECOMMENDS…
GRAHAM BECK BRUT ROSÉ NON-VINTAGE
Peter “Bubbles” Ferreira celebrates 25 years of making fi ne Graham Beck MCC bubblies this year. His expertise and experience shows in every bubble in every bottle that comes out of his cellar.
Experience: A freshly picked basketful of strawberries and raspberries. Stylish and graceful, but far from simple.
Match with: A lazy riverside picnic. Unpack your basket to find trout, cold cuts of meat, soft white cheeses, home-baked bread and summer berries.
Woolworths price: R119.95
WOOLWORTHS VILLIERA MCC BRUT NON-VINTAGE
The Grier family of Villiera in Stellenbosch make many excellent wines but they are particularly proud of their MCCs. Simon ensures that the healthiest of grapes come from his vineyards and Jeff works his magic to put the bubble in the bottle.
Experience: There’s a bubbly saying that goes: if the percentages of the grapes in the original blend add up to 100%, it is always good. Here, Chardonnay (50%) provides fresh citrus and lemon flavours, and the Pinot Noir (30%) and Pinotage (20%) add fruit structure and richness.
Match with: The arrival of guests, fresh seafood, or poultry dishes with a creamy sauce.
Woolworths price: R89.95
KRONE BOREALIS VINTAGE CUVÉE BRUT MCC 2014
According to Greek mythology, Bacchus, the god of wine, fell in love with Ariadne, the daughter of the king of Crete. To prove his love for her he threw his jewel-encrusted crown into the heavens, where it shines forever as the constellation Corona Borealis. Krone and Corona both mean “crown”, hence the name of this MCC made from grapes harvested at night under starlit skies.
Experience: A bubbly that sparkles on the eye and in the mouth. Elegant with engaging depth as the white grape, Chardonnay, meets black Pinot Noir.
Match with: A candlelit seafood dinner under the stars, what else?
Woolworths price: R99.95
WOOLWORTHS SIMONSIG NO ADDED SULPHUR MCC ROSÉ 2014
An uplifting bubbly, both in its lack of added sulphur and in the entrancing charm with which it fl aunts itself. Simonsig made South Africa’s first bottle fermented sparkling wine in 1971 and this rosé shows the sure touch of a pioneer.
Experience: A pale tinge of coppery onion skin. Layers of raspberry, redcurrant and all the delectable red fruits of Pinot Noir. Flirtatious and tasty.
Match with: Seared salmon served with tartare sauce, crusty bread and a simple green salad.
Woolworths price: R119.95
WOOLWORTHS DE WETSHOF MCC CUVÉE BRUT 2011
Peter de Wet’s passion for Champagne-method bubblies is given full rein with the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that grow in the limestone-rich soils of the family farm in Robertson. This confirms the often quoted winemaking mantra that fine wines can only be made from good fruit.
Experience: A fine example of harmony: the lemon, citrus and yeastiness from the 60% Chardonnay blends perfectly with the fruit and spice from the 40% Pinot Noir. The result is an MCC with a super-fi ne mousse, a well-structured palate and a long, clean finish.
Match with: Oysters and sushi.
Woolworths price: R159.95
ASTORIA PROSECCO NON-VINTAGE
Prosecco currently outsells Champagne globally and the Astoria, from the Veneto region in northern Italy, is a typical example of why the Italians are outdoing the
French among bubbly lovers.
Experience: A light-bodied and light-hearted wine with lime and citrus flavours and a frothy bubble. It will add fizzy pizzaz to an everyday get-together, as well as keep the table happy and lift the tone of a serious meal.
Match with: Tuna carpaccio drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with capers.
Woolworths price: R109.95
COMTESSE ALEXIA CHAMPAGNE NON-VINTAGE
This is the “real thing” that’s grown, made and bottled by the Champagne producer Alexandre Bonnet and exclusively sold in Woolworths. We don’t know for certain, but Comtesse Alexia must surely have been an exotic and renowned Parisian courtesan who was not averse to a glass or two of Champagne.
Experience: A hedonistic glassful with defi nite sex appeal: 75% black grapes provide fruit depth and umami intrigue, while the 25% Chardonnay ensures elegance and a fresh, creamy mousse.
Match with: Seize the moment and pop the cork with a wild mushroom and truffle risotto.
Woolworths price: R299.95
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