The arrival of the Chardonnay grapes was the signal for Cap Classique winemaker Lizelle Gerber to grab a sword and slice the top off a bottle of the previous vintage Le Grand Pavilion Brut Rosé. The cellar team then filled their glasses to toast the 2013 grapes, which will be used to produce the next vintage of sparkling wines. Gerber says the Chardonnay grapes, harvested in the Stellenbosch wine region, are very healthy, with a very good even ripeness so she is expecting them to produce well balanced wines. Grape picking for “Methode Champanoise” style Cap Classique wines is always earlier than for still wines, which will be harvested in about 4 weeks time. Chardonnay for Cap Classique is picked earlier to ensure lower alcohol levels in a wine that has to undergo a second fermentation to produce the sparkling character. That said the Chardonnay harvest is 7 days later than in 2012. But on par with the 2010 and 2009 vintage Boschendal expects to get the Pinot Noir for Cap Classique in next, followed by Sauvignon Blanc next week. Boschendal, South Africa’s second oldest Estate, was named “South African Winery of the Year” at the International Wine and Spirit Challenge in London in 2004. For more information visit www.boschendal.com or call 021 870 4200.