Blanc de Blanc

Located in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde region, near the coastal town of Hermanus in South Africa, the Colmant Cap Classique vineyard benefits from the tempering influence of the Atlantic Ocean. The Chardonnay vines, planted in well-drained clay-schist soils, come from both owned plots and selected partner vineyards in the higher elevations of Walker Bay and Elgin. This maritime climate, characterized by regular breezes and cool nights, promotes slow ripening of the grapes and preserves a naturally high acidity, ideal for crafting classic-style sparkling wines.

Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, this Blanc de Blanc de Colmant Cap Classique is produced using the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle. The grapes are hand-harvested and gently pressed as whole bunches. The juice then ferments in stainless steel tanks and partially in oak barrels to preserve aromatic purity while developing complexity. After blending the base wines, the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, followed by extended aging on fine lees before disgorgement, to refine the texture and create an elegant mousse.

This wine reveals notes of crisp green apple , ripe lemon , and white peach , complemented by floral touches of white flowers and a subtle brioche and toasty dimension from aging on the lees. Chalky mineral nuances bring tension and precision to the whole. On the palate, the texture is creamy , supported by fine effervescence, lively acidity , and a long, saline finish that leaves an impression of great freshness and balance.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.