The wine world is full of foreign terminology, but there is no reason for anyone to be intimidated by words such as méthode champenoise, pupitre, sur lies, tirage, muselet...
Why? Because we have google and smart phones! It is very easy to quickly get a word's meaning and pronunciation. Rather than being intimidated, why not enjoy the romance and mystique of wine words - especially when they are Champagne-related! If there is one type of wine that communicates celebration, romance and joie de vivre, it is sparkling wine.
But sparkling wine is much more than a French term or a festive glass, it is also an exceptional partner on the dinner table.
Usually consisting out of a predominant blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Champagne and its global equivalents such as the South African Méthode Cap Classique, can be a wonderful companion to food. It is the intrinsic character of the individual elements and how they blend and mature, that often result in an outstanding versatility when it comes to food pairings.
Chardonnay is known for the interesting combination of creaminess and freshness with a silky mouth feel and apple flavours. Pinot Noir contributes the intricacies of strawberries and spice while the flavours of fermentation offers a certain nuttiness as well as the nuances of freshly-baked bread. With this comprehensive flavour profile, it does not take a connoisseur to understand why the classic sparkling wine is such a remarkable partner to food.
No surprise then that sommeliers love to suggest beautiful bubbly with a meal. Not only is there a wide variety of styles and blends and origins, but what other wine brings such ceremony to a table and such impressive vocabulary?!
La Motte is delighted for its 2015 La Motte Méthode Cape Classique to be one of only two white Méthode Cap Classique wines to be included in the 2018 Sommelier Selection. This wine competition is judged solely by a panel of South Africa’s Top Sommeliers and the categories are moulded around those of a “wine list”.
Take our advice, don't wait for a special celebration or romantic meal, make your weekend extraordinary and open a bottle of MCC!
Still hung up on the wine vocabulary? Try these links!
