Top image: Pieter Ferreira, chairman of the Cap Classique Producers Association, left and Joaquim Sá.
Méthode Cap Classique producers have until 20 July to submit their wines for this year’s Amorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge, the only competition dedicated exclusively to honouring Cap Classique wines. Amorim Cork SA, which is sponsoring the event for the 17th consecutive year, is the convenor of this unique wine competition in conjunction with the Cap Classique Producers Association.
At this year’s Cap Classique Challenge wines will be judged in the following categories: Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, Blended Brut and a Museum Class for wines including and before the 2010 vintage. It was also decided to introduce, for the first time, a Demi-Sec category. “This is an extremely fast growing category in Cap Classique and is enjoying huge interest from consumers, as well as leading to some exciting examples in this new sector.”
Pieter Ferreira, chairman of the Cap Classique Association, says that to promote inclusivity among Cap Classique producers, entries are open to non-members of the Association.
“Since its inception, the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge has been about promoting excellence in the production of Cap Classique, a category that has become one of the South African wine industries’ flagship events,” says Ferreira.
“We have seen the number of Cap Classique makers growing annually, and would like to encourage all producers meeting the competition requirements to enter their wines. Not only is the Cap Classique Challenge a showcase for the excellent quality of Cap Classique made in South Africa, but it also has the effect of increasing an awareness of this category among the local and international consumer.”
According to Joaquim Sá, MD of Amorim SA, the Cap Classique Competition has played a major role in making naturally fermented sparkling wines one of the leading categories in the South African wine industry.
“As proud sponsors for 17 years Amorim has seen the dynamic evolution in quality, diversity in styles and winemaker commitment within this category,” he says. “The fizz in the tale, however, has been the way the South African public has embraced Méthode Cap Classique allowing sales to flourish and to warrant the investments producers have made in the production of this style of wine.”
He said the competition’s popularity continues to grow each year to the extent that interest from consumers has led to the holding of public tastings featuring the category winners.
“Since 2016 we are complementing the competition by hosting tutored public tastings of the winning wines, which we plan to take to various areas of South Africa after this year’s event. Local consumers are discerning in their demand for more knowledge on this glorious category, and with Cap Classique, South African winemakers have one very exciting story to tell.”
This year’s winners will be announced at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa on 27 September.
Entries cost R750 for Cap Classique Association members and R1 750 for non-members. Non-members entering this year’s competition will gain complimentary Association membership for one year. Late entries will be accepted until 2 August at a higher entry-fee.
For further enquiries regarding entries, contact Elsabé Ferreira Promotions at (021) 863-1552 or e-mail [email protected].
