.: Caroline's Celebration of Champagne and Cap Classique

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Caroline's Celebration of Champagne and Cap Classique

There was an afternoon session as well. We opted to go to the one between 6 and 8.30. Only 70 People could be accommodated in the hall and that included people serving, so good Covid protocols. It was wonderful to see so many friends from wine farms and the attending public. It is a challenge with so much to taste, so Lynne decided to try to sample just a mouthful of every Blanc de Blanc she could find, as well as the French Champagnes and the top wines of those who do not produce a Blanc de Blanc

Tarryn Thomas of Reciprocal Trading with Louis Roederer and Jacquinot Champagnes, both very popular at the tasting
The Jacquinot has good brioche on the nose and a lovely 'bite' of clean crispness

Graham Beck winemaker Pierre de Klerk with their excellent selection

A very good place to begin the Cap Classiques

One of our favourites, the top of the range Cuvée Clive from the 2017 vintage

Jane Ferreira Eedes with her Dainty Bess Brut Rosé,

which we do find on many restaurant menus, it is great with food

Marcha Cooke and Thea van der Merwe of Jordan were a joy to see

and the new Jordan Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc is about to be released, The very popular 2015 is nearly sold out

Hanri Ferreira from Kleine Zalze showed their well-priced Brut, Brut Rosé and Vintage Brut

Justin Corrans, Chief Winemaker at KWV, showed the Laborie range
Lynne was so delighted to see that they do still make the Laborie Blanc de Blanc
and that it is still as wonderfully dry and crisp as ever

Nicolle Frazer of L’Ormarins with their range. Their Blanc de Blanc is from Villiersdorp grapes and is the 2015 vintage

Tayla Vermaak and Takuan von Arnim of Haute Cabrière, Lynne's favourite Cap Classique of the evening,
the Pierre Jordan Blanc de Blanc, crisp and dry, layers of flavour and simply delicious

Stephanie Joubert of Saltare. A new brand for us and very enjoyable, some good salty minerality on the palate,
the grapes for the Blanc de Blanc come from Robertson

Dane Raath and Jason Steel were showing the excellent award winning Silverthorn
The River Dragon, made from Colombard, is proving very popular
We know, we have bought some and friends to whom we introduce it really enjoy it. Tim Atkin scored it 92/100

Terry-Ann Klink of Simonsig with their faultless large range. The Cuvée Royale is so rich and special

with a Jeroboam of Kaapse Vonkel, the original Cap Classique

Graham de Vries of Steenberg, Their 1682 Non vintage Chardonnay is just right, nice and dry and crisp

Dax Bailey and Sarah Revell of Vinimark on the Bollinger stand. More Bolly please daarling!

Karin Visser CWM of Great Domaines showed Lanson and Pol Roger champagnes. Lanson Black Label NV has been our favourite Champagne for many years, and it still is after this tasting. Shy at first on the nose, then it opens up and, on the palate, layered, complex and very satisfying. Always beautifully crisp and fresh, as the base wine does not go through malolactic fermentation

Linette Cox, who represented Universal Beverages with her husband Mike; distributors of Taittinger
The Brut Reserve NV was rather nice, more depth and flavour, very enjoyable

Michelle Stewart and Zelda Fox showing the Charles Fox range from Elgin, another popular, well-respected marque

Caroline Rillema, who organised the event, with a bottle of Taittinger

We so enjoyed the evening, with the great selection she had made of Champagnes and Cap Classiques

It did feel as though things were almost getting back to normal

and with her husband, Ray Kilian

We are delighted that Caroline is opening a new shop in Regent Road, Sea Point
We wish her much success. She will have the full range of wines and spirits