Photographer Gavin Withers was the guest taster at the final RECM Best Value tasting of the year this afternoon. Three dozen sparklers were on offer and the top scoring seven (on account of a three way tie at score 16) were

Secret Cellar Brut MCC #558 score 16.40 price R59.99
Coutelier The Feast MCC score 16.40 price R125.00
Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC #428 score 16.20 price R59.99
Arendskloof Brut Rosé 2012 score 16.10 price R130.00
Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé MCC NV score 16.00 price R90.00
Altydgedacht Blanc de Blanc MCC 2013 score 16.00 price R100.00
Uitkyk Glass Memoires Extra Brut 2011 MCC score 16.00 price R130.00

Waving our RECM Best Value wand and the top six performers were

Secret Cellar Brut MCC #558 score 16.40 price R59.99 value R250.00
Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC #428 score 16.20 price R59.99 value R190.00
Koelenbosch MCC Brut Chardonnay 2009 score 15.60 price R70.00 value R125.00
Coutelier The Feast MCC score 16.40 price R125.00 value R210.00
Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé MCC NV score 16.00 price R90.00 value R150.00
Bonnievale Unpretentious Sauvignon Blanc Brut Sparkling wine score 14.90 price R55.00 value R85.00

which confirms that Mark Norrish from Ultra Liquors knows his bubblies and makes you wonder why he was dropped from the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge judging panel this year. Mark knows more about bubblies than some of the Amorim judges have yet to learn in spite of recent accolades awarded in the M&G this month which set the cat among the pigeons.

After a quick taste round, my pick of the winners was The Feast from Coutelier, a garagiste producer from Stellenbosch plus Kleine Zalze, which confirms they can make much more than award winning Chenin Blanc. In summary, the local MCC category is in rude heath with plenty of fine fizz on offer around the R100 a bottle mark. All the wines tasted are available for public scrutiny this afternoon at the Pendock Wine Gallery at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town.