The Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards is regarded as Africa’s largest wine and spirits competition, and the judges are hand-picked experts from across five continents.
All entries are tasted blind and scored according to the 100-point internationally recognised OIV judging system.
These two awards create confirmation yet again that the locally produced wines made in the French tradition of secondary bottle fermentation, are of exceptional quality and of the highest standard.
Spending a minimum of 69 months in the bottle for slow secondary fermentation, the ultra-premium Desiderius Pongrácz 2015, is gracious, elegant and timeless. The Cap Classique, made in the time-honoured French tradition, is a blend of Chardonnay (80%) and Pinot Noir (20%) grapes hand-picked from two selected vineyard blocks. Beautiful, elegant bubbles and brioche-like taste fills the mouth with a rich and complex combination of fresh fruit, almonds, and buttery bread.
The 100% Chardonnay Pongrácz Blanc de Blanc has a beautiful finesse, crisp acidity and racy minerality.
Slow secondary fermentation in the bottle delivers the delicate mousse, with fine bubbles that linger over a beautifully crisp acidity. During this 36-month maturation, the dead yeast cells accumulate at the bottom of the bottle and contribute to the distinctive brioche, creamy richness associated with an outstanding Cap Classique. As with the Desiderius Pongrácz 2015, the dead yeast cells (the lees) is then removed by the traditional methods of remuage and degorgement whereby the neck of the bottle is frozen in dry ice and the cells are removed whilst still maintaining the beautiful bubbles inside.
Lively with bright zesty citrus aromas, the Pongrácz Blanc de Blancs is intensely fruity. The refreshing palate reveals an alluring creaminess, fresh lemon zest and toasty yeast, ending with a vibrant mineral-driven finish.
Pongrácz is named after the nobleman and Hungarian refugee, Desiderius Pongrácz, who had a profound impact on viticulture in the Western Cape. Considered a genius for finding the unexpected in the traditional and fresh, unconventional theories, Pongrácz was witty and brilliant and his inspiration extended across the wine industry, classical music, anthropology and Dachshunds.
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