A fine bubble tinkles away after the excited pouring fizz dies down. There’s fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, brioche and rhubarb crumble on the nose; sweet sultanas too. Fresh red fruits and strawberries bedazzle on the tastebuds as a good balanced acidity comes along to woosh everything along. As a treat before dinner it can’t be beaten. It revives, refreshes, teases and flirts with those tastebuds.
How it’s made
The wine is made in South Africa using the methode cap classique. That is the same traditional way Champagne is made. Remember – if it’s not made in Champagne, a sparkling wine can’t be called Champagne.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some sparkling wines which come wonderfully up to the mark in terms of taste and style compared to those made in the famous Burgundy heartland.
Just like Champagne, Pongracz wines undergo two fermentations – first in tanks, then the second in the bottle. The contact of the bottled wine with the fermenting yeast gives these methode cap classique sparkling wines a familiar taste and aroma of brioche.
Pongracz Sparkling Rosé
What it says on the vin:
This elegant methode cap classique was inspired by Desiderius Pongracz whose passion and vision notably changed viticulture in the Cape. Composed of noble varietals in the classic French tradition, Pongracz offers delicate yeasty tones, layered with toast and ripe fruit, enlivened by a firm, creamy mousse.
The small print:
Western Cape, South Africa – 12% abv – blend of pinot noir (40%) and chardonnay (60%) – Buy: Morrisons – Price: £14.99 – popping cork – non-vintage – Tasted Feb 23 2014
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some sparkling wines which come wonderfully up to the mark in terms of taste and style compared to those made in the famous Burgundy heartland.