Kaapse Vonkel scores top honours in Netherlands
Thursday, 2 December, 2004
Gudrun Clark
Simonsig’s legendary Kaapse Vonkel has excelled in the Netherlands winning Best Sparkling Wine (non-Champagne) at the annual awards of Perswjin, the country’s biggest and most influential wine magazine.
Simonsig, South Africa’s first Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) producer, outsparkled the 175 Champagne and sparkling wines from across the globe at the 2004 Champagne and Sparkling Wine Awards held in Scheveningen, Holland. These wines were entered for the challenge by Dutch wine importers as well as wineries themselves.
Judged by an expert line-up of wine authorities on the Perswijn panel and members of the public, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2003 was one of only 10 bubblies to secure a spot in the grand finale and one of a mere three to clinch overall first place in their respective categories.
The winner of the Champagne Brut Category was Philipponnat Royale Réserve followed by Bollinger Special Cuvée in second place. Charles Heidsieck 1995 won the Prestige Cuvée Category.
"We are delighted by the outcome of the Perswijn Awards which attests to our commitment to produce world-class sparkling wine yet never to losing sight of our own unique Cape style Cap Classique," said an elated Johan Malan, winemaker of Simonsig.
Kaapse Vonkel, with its elegant taste and delicate fine crisp bubbles, has earned Simonsig a distinguished standing amongst lovers of sparkling wine since 1971.
This Cap Classique is a unique cuvée of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Chardonnay imparts a clean flintiness whilst the Pinot Noir fulfills body and taste. Simonsig is currently the only local producer to add the red grape Pinot Meunier variety to its MCC’s which lends a unique aromatic fruit flavour to the wine.
The wine has a luminous pale straw hue and shows classic biscuit character enriched with a soft bouquet of freshly baked bread on the nose. The mousse is extremely fine and creamy and enhances the exquisite toasted almond flavours on the palate.
Issued on behalf of:
Simonsig Wines
Contact Person: Pieter Malan
Email: wine@simonsig.co.za
Tel: (+27)21 888 4900