Wildekrans Wine Estate's recent gold award for their Cap Classique Brut Rosé 2023 at the Gilbert and Gaillard International Challenge is a testament to their success.
De Wet Viljoen, the estate's passionate winemaker, believes that the key to creating exceptional Cap Classique lies not only in the traditional methods of production but in the unique terroir of South Africa. "God finished with South Africa," says Viljoen’s father-in-law, Bennie Schloms, a retired soil scientist, highlighting the country’s vast and diverse soils. Wildekrans is in a prime area with shale soils and a cooling ocean breeze, offering grapes with the ideal balance of high acidity and low pH – two essential characteristics for making superior Cap Classique.
For Viljoen, however, producing top-tier Cap Classique is not without its challenges. The timing of each step is critical. "Timing is everything," he stresses. From correct pruning and maintaining vineyard health to harvesting at the optimal moment, every decision must be precise. With CC, there’s little room for error. Unlike still wines, where the margin for error is wider, the pressure of getting everything right is heightened when crafting sparkling wine, where each step directly impacts the final product.
The traditional method of making Cap Classique, which includes secondary fermentation in the bottle, presents additional technical challenges. Viljoen explains that the journey to exceptional Cap Classique starts with a well-balanced base wine. "You need to ensure the wine is in balance with the correct analysis – alcohol not too high, delicate flavours intact," he says. The next step, secondary fermentation, relies heavily on the yeast, which must work in harmony with the wine. Wildekrans uses only the finest yeast cultures to ensure consistency and quality. Viljoen’s choice to create their Brut from 100% Chenin Blanc adds a unique element to Wildekrans' offering, providing a wine that is both interesting and different from the traditional Blanc de Blancs.
Though Cap Classique is often compared to Champagne, Viljoen points out that the two wines are made using the same traditional method. The only difference lies in the terroir, with Wildekrans’ wines highlighting the distinctive South African character. “We follow the same process, but our wines reflect the beautiful terroir of South Africa,” Viljoen explains. Thanks to the rich diversity of climates and soils, South Africa’s Cap Classique has gained global recognition for its quality. South African CC producers are regarded as some of the best in the world, and Wildekrans is proud to stand among them, offering wines that are certainly on par with Champagne's finest.
Looking toward the future, Viljoen is optimistic about the growth of South African Cap Classique on the global stage. He believes that the country’s wines can compete with any of the big names in sparkling wine. However, he notes that to gain more recognition internationally, South African CC must embrace "premiumisation", raising the price point to better reflect the quality and production costs involved. "We need to increase the price of our Cap Classique," Viljoen says, suggesting that this shift could elevate the international standing of South African Cap Classique.
Sustainability is another crucial aspect of Wildekrans' winemaking philosophy. “There is no difference in sustainability for the production of Cap Classique and still wines,” Viljoen explains. In fact, the earlier harvest for Cap Classique fruit places less stress on the vines and the environment, further supporting Wildekrans’ commitment to environmentally conscious practices. As Viljoen continues to refine Wildekrans’ Cap Classique offerings, his passion for both quality and sustainability ensures that the estate will remain a leader in South Africa’s Cap Classique production, continuing to innovate while respecting the environment and their terroir.