Brut

This elegant Cap Classique pairs beautifully with fresh oysters, smoked salmon, creamy cheeses and lightly grilled seafood. Its crisp acidity and fine mousse also complement sushi, chicken terrine and delicate canapés, while the subtle brioche character works wonderfully alongside mushroom risotto or buttery pastry-based starters.

The 2024 harvest demonstrated resilience and adaptability, with high quality grapes and optimistic prospects for the resulting wines. Overall, the harvest was earlier than usual due to warmer weather. However, the wet and cool conditions of winter 2023 were beneficial for vine dormancy and soil moisture replenishment, setting up the vineyards for a strong growing season. The well-established Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards are trellised using the VSP system and are located on the slopes of the Tygerberg at approximately 7 kilometres from, and in sight of, the Atlantic Ocean.

The wine was aged on the lees in the bottle for 20 months to create that delicious biscuit-like richness before ‘dégorgement’ – the process whereby the yeast is removed to leave the wine beautifully clear.

The De Grendel Cap Classique is a classic blend of 62% Chardonnay and 38% Pinot Noir. Grape bunches were whole-bunch pressed. After settling and racking, the juice was inoculated and fermented in stainless steel tanks where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The base wine was filtered and bottled with ‘Liqueur de Tirage’, a yeast and sugar mixture which facilitates secondary fermentation in the bottle creating natural carbonation.

De Grendel is a Durbanville wine estate where cool-climate vineyards and careful site selection shape a broad range of South African wines. Known for Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and red blends, the estate combines coastal influence, varietal clarity and a strong sense of Cape Town wine country.