Lady Alice MCC Rosé

Veal, Pork, Game (deer, venison), Rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), Poultry

At Muratie we implement various vineyard practices during and after the growing season to ensure optimal growth and yield. Practices include green pruning, fertilisation after the growing season and the growing of cover crops during the winter months. The Pinot Noir grapes (clones 115 & 113; 10 tonnes yield) are harvested by hand, giving us a better understanding of the quality of the harvest and ensuring only the best bunches are used.

The wine was bottled for secondary fermentation and aged approximately three years before disgorgement.

The Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked at the end of January between 19-20 °B, then whole bunch pressed. The juice was left to settle for one day at 8 °C after which it was inoculated and fermented for two weeks at 14-16 °C. Malolactic fermentation was completed in concrete tanks to soften the taste & texture of the wine and to add to its complexity.

Tucked into the exquisite Knorhoek Valley north of Stellenbosch, Muratie Wine Estate, under the stewardship of Rijk Melck and his family, has been at the heart of a lot of passionate debate. This debate is centred largely around the desire to protect a century’s old wine experience that is a magnet for wine lovers around the world. The farm itself dates back to 1685 when it was granted by Governor Simon van der Stel who was Governor of the Cape of Good Hope at the time. This makes Muratie one of the oldest estates in South Africa and along with that age comes many characters and truly fascinating stories. The Melck family has revived this rich heritage in an updated yet classical evolution of the brand, naming its range after many of these colourful characters. For example, the MCC bubbly is known as Lady Alice. She is joined by Ansela van de Caab (blended red), George Paul Canitz (Pinot Noir), Ronnie Melck (Shiraz), Alberta Annemarie (Merlot), Laurens Campher (blended white), Isabella (Chardonnay) and Ben Prins (Port). It is not only the label that has changed. The wine itself has also undergone incredible changes in quality, under the creative hand of winemaker Hattingh De Villiers and his team. This has seen Muratie become a serious and respected player in the Bordeaux blend, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir stakes. Historically, Muratie has been known for being the first producer of Pinot Noir as well as fine ports. Along with the development of other varietals, Muratie has elevated itself into a new appreciation amongst truly discerning wine lovers.