Pieter and his stalwart team have, over the years,
ensured that Graham Beck Cap Classiques are synonymous with quality,
finesse and timeless appeal.
Early on in his career Pieter discovered the
universal charm of this challenging style of wine. He credits his microbiology
background with helping him to understand and appreciate the finer nuances of
crafting Cap Classique. Three vintages in Champagne and
various overseas study tours provided plenty of opportunities to hone Pieter’s
natural affinity for this specialized style of wine.
He joined Graham Beck’s Robertson Cellar in 1990.
Surprised by the intrinsic quality of the base wines even in those early days,
Pieter and his team worked hard at establishing a solid platform for MCC style
wines. “As South Africans we have to embrace our sunshine,” he maintains. “Our first Non Vintage was released in 1993 and we’ve never looked
back!” After years of refining their focus and honing their clonal selection,
site selection and vineyard and cellar practices the team is reaping the
rewards.
"I really try and capture the fruit
characteristics of any particular variety. It’s always my aim to contribute
elegance and finesse. The wines are never ‘in your face’,” he explains. “At the
end of the day you should be drinking the authentic style of the wines, not
aiming for showmanship. With bubbly it’s even more vital to create that finesse
and delicacy. The smaller you can create that bubble, the better the chances
that the wine will develop gentle flavours.”
"I’m still in search of the perfect
bubble and, until then, I’ll keep refining. The challenge of consistency and
continuity in sparkling wines is vital,” maintains this gifted vintner.
Over the years Graham Beck has established
a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading Cap Classique producers, striving
for consistency, quality and continuous innovation. It’s been a tremendously
fulfilling journey and we’re incredibly privileged to have shared it with you.
At the custom built Methode Cap Classique
cellar in Robertson the Graham Beck Wines team continues to pursue the perfect
bubble. Over the years these wines have notched up numerous awards both locally
and internationally. Although justifiably proud of these prestigious accolades,
it’s the loyal following amongst our fans which we cherish the most.
Wine critics and judges both here and
overseas have on numerous occasions compared our MCC’s to the greats of the
international wine arena – it’s this type of valuable feedback and benchmarking
which propel us forward in our quest for quality.
It’s not every day that your wine is chosen
by one of the world’s most famous men to celebrate history in the making.
Graham Beck Wines has achieved this honour not once, but twice! In 1994 Graham Beck Brut NV was selected as the
celebratory drink at the inauguration of South Africa’s first democratically
elected president, Nelson Mandela.
More recently, after declaring his intention to run for president Barack Obama took his wife, Michelle,
to one of their favourite restaurants in Chicago. The sommelier recommended two
glasses of Graham Beck Brut NV – an
eminently suitable African fizz for an African American presidential candidate!
The Obamas were so impressed with this
bubbly that they ordered six bottles for the 4th November 2008. The corks were
then ceremoniously popped to celebrate the election of the 44th American
president before Barack Obama addressed the world at Grant Park.
On local soils our bubblies have done us
proud on numerous occasions at competitions such as the annual Veritas, Diners
Club, Trophy Wine Show and Michelangelo Awards, in the John Platter Wine Guide
and in the prestigious Cap Classique Challenge. Further afield our wines have
been lauded at the International Wine Challenge in London and singled out by
top international wine judges and journalists. Wine writer for the Daily Mail, Matthew Jukes said our Blanc
de Blancs 2005 was “a most beautiful and rewarding sparkler and still one of
the best values in the world”. Renowned British wine expert Jancis Robinson
listed Graham Beck Brut NV in her top 25 bubblies for the 2011 festive season.
We’ll say cheers to that!