If we have a preference when drinking Champagne and
MCC we veer towards a crisper, even Brut Sauvage style, and older vintages so
it was great to be able to taste 5 vintages of Graham Beck Blanc de Blanc with
Pieter Bubbles Ferriera last Friday. We tasted backward from the 2010 to the
2006 which was our favourite and is so lively, perfumed with crisp mousse and
full of limes, lemons, amami and leesy with a long finish. Some are still in transition, all are worth
drinking now and in the future.
The event was held at the 12 Apostles Hotel and after
the tasting we were treated to a very good lunch where they announced the
release of a new Graham Beck wine Gorgeous, a pale pink blend of Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay full of peachy citrus, in
some very funky packaging. The exclamation was a favourite term
of endearment by the late Graham Beck.
It is going to be in the R60 price bracket from the farm.
Use second one
Lots of delicious fresh tasting
canapés were on offer: seared tuna in soy, wasabi beef tartar and a vegetarian goats
cheese and capponata filo basket served with a welcoming glass of Graham Beck
Brut NV
We assembled in the Conservatory on
rather a wet day.
The tasting room
We assemble
Pieter Bubbles Ferreira introduces the
tasting and tells us a few new facts about Sparkling wines and Graham Beck. They
sell one million bottles of Methode Cap Classique sparkling wines every year,
here and abroad. Very impressive
Pieter takes us through the wines. He
has now spent 30 years in the South African wine industry.
These shoes Pieter was wearing are wowing the fashion
world. Made from an Nguni cow hide, the Americans want to import some. Several of us fancied a pair
Maryna Strachan of Wine Extra paying attention
Marguerite Nel pouring out the different vintages
Helped by Sonwabo Giba
The selection of 5 Blancs de Blanc from
2006 to 2010. They are wines of astonishing craftsmanship
Golden colours, golden tastes
Nice temperature too
The first taste is always the most
exciting
Nevah!
And then he said....
Kerry Kirby of Graham Beck, Anel
Grobler of Spit or Swallow and Mari Vigar of La Mouette Restaurant in Sea
Point
Time to move into the function venue for lunch. Bottles ready for pouring
Where shall we sit?
No shortage of wine then
TA DA! Introducing Gorgeous, a blend
of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Yes, this size please for summer
These versatile gift boxes can be used
for birthdays, Valentines,first dates and seduction or just saying "thanks"
Gorgeous was a perfect match for the
beautifully cooked flame grilled salmon trout with salmon caviar
Next came a perfect prawn and apple
salad with an airy apple marshmallow cloud. An inspired match. Served with Brut
Zero 2008
A single goats cheese tortellini on a
tomato chutney, with basil pesto and topped with a parmesan foam. Lovely layers
of flavour to go with one of our
favourites, Brut Rosé 2009
Fried potato gnocchi on a super smooth
corn velouté with popcorn and roasted shallots matched to Brut Rosé NV
PRO Nicolette Waterford, Nelia Vivier
of Get It Magazine and Greg Landman of Country Life magazine having fun
Slightly dry roast Chicken roulade
with golden vegetables and a rather sweet raisin jus with Cuvée Clive 2009
Nelia with Pieter
Dessert was a butterscotch mousse with
a praline ice cream with a glass of Bliss Demi Sec, their sweeter bubbly
And we finished with petit fours and
coffee. A lovely light meal with lots of textures and different taste, very
well matched to the wines
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014
