The Brits have a wonderful expression for sparkling wine: Fizz.
“C’mon let’s get a bottle of fizz.”
“How do you feel about a bit ‘o fizz?”
“A bit more of the fizz there will you?”
Its delightful, especially as fizz is one of those words that sounds exactly like the thing it’s describing. Onomatopoeia. ‘Fizz’ is vibrant and exciting. It says there is certain saucy spiritedness to this drink. ‘Bubbles’ or ‘sparkles’ on the other hand sounds like you’re about to start ticking off the names of the Powerpuff girls.
Not too long ago I was teased for referring to South African sparkling wine as MCC. “Do you fancy a glass of MCC?” apparently sounded pretentious. But I cannot be asked to resort to calling it a glass of ‘bubbles’. In my view that’s approaching the territory of a Karen who barely knows her Chenin from her Sauvignon Blanc and professes it all tastes the same anyway. But fizz? Now that’s a term I can get behind.
As some of you might know, my use of ‘MCC’ isn’t even correct, no matter how poncey it sounds. South African sparkling wine made in the French traditional way has been downgraded to just ‘CC’ as the Methode in Methode Cap Classique was sounding a touch too much like the precious Methode Champenoise. Basically, we’ve become bloody good and the Frogs aren’t chuffed about it.
At any rate, whatever you call the fizzy stuff with the cork that pops, here are a few good ones I’ve tried lately.
Pieter Ferreira ‘Birdsong’ Rosé Extra Brut Cap Classique 2018. This is a delightful fruit forward but beautifully dry wine. I loved the notes of sour cherry, raspberry and sherbet. This is exactly how I like my Rosé Cap Classique. It’s not something I’d typically order or buy but I drank it while out with friends and loved every sip. I will definitely be purchasing some of this to have in my stash at home.
Ambeloui is a winery based in Hout Bay and their only focus is making excellent Cap Classique. The grapes for their wines come primarily from their own vineyards in Hout Bay, but they do supplement with a small quantity from Somerset West and Stellenbosch. Ambeloui Nicholas NV 2yr has beautiful lingering brioche notes, with just a hint of fresh citrus to provide balance. While Hout Bay isn’t typically known for its wine, Ambeloui is testament to the fact that perhaps it should be.
Down a little side road in the Elgin valley lies Charles Fox. Their wines are world class and I was recently reminded of just how good they are while enjoying the Charles Fox Reserve Brut Cap Classique. Tasting of brioche, stone fruit and a slight floral hint meant it paired excellently with a sea breeze off the ocean and a view of the sunset. Moreover, it is very likely that if you visit their tasting room on a Sunday between March and October, you will find Mr Charles Fox himself serving up your glass of the wine that fizzes.