Laborie’s MCC Blanc de Blancs 2010 has been chosen by SAA as its MCC of choice, to be served exclusively on board its worldwide fleet of aircraft in 2015. This multi-award winning MCC will be served in Business Class on all SAA domestic, regional and international flights.

South African wine producers submitted over 800 wines for consideration by an expert panel of 12 judges who then whittled the selection down to a mere 60 wines which are then chosen for on- board service.

“The annual wine selection is one of SAA’s most hallowed traditions and one that we—and the industry—take seriously. SAA is a showcase for South Africa on many fronts, not least of them our excellent local wines,” says Bongi Sodladla, SAA Senior Food & Beverage Manager and Sommelier, who leads the process.

This award crowns a stellar year for Laborie, which is fast becoming recognized as a producer-of-note of top quality MCC’s in South Africa.
The 2010 Blanc de Blancs, in particular, has been bringing home the medals. In 2014 it won the top MCC slot at the Amorim MCC Challenge for Best in Class Blanc de Blancs and was the only MCC to take home a Double Gold at this year’s Veritas Awards. In addition, the Laborie Brut 2010 won the Best MCC award at the Paarl Wine Challenge in August.

“We’ve developed winning styles of wines that appeal to a broad base of consumers, and that’s why judges tend to favour them.” says Johann Fourie, Chief Winemaker at KWV. Hinting at some of the techniques used by his wine team in producing top quality wines, he commented; “We are careful in our grape component and harvesting strategy. We also adopt some winemaking techniques such as cooling the grapes before processing, bunch sorting and pH management at pressing.”

The results are a cleaner, more fruit driven, elegant style with acid freshness and finesse.

Laborie winemaker, Kobus van der Merwe adds, “People love our Laborie Blanc de Blanc for many reasons. The refreshing fruit note is one of them, but also the fine mousse. This 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend is a fresh, zesty, yeasty wine with a creaminess that many people really like and it’s great value at R85.”

The judges for the SAA tasting panel in 2014 were;
Bongi Sodladla Sandra Lotz Danielle le Roux Tatiana Marcetteau Miguel Chan Gregory Mutambe Andrea Freeborough Tariro Masayiti John Salvi Lyn Woodward Nomonde Kubheka. The tastings were coordinated by Bennie Howard.