Laborie
Crisp and elegant, with citrus, green apple, and creamy brioche notes.
460
Laborie Méthode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs is a distinguished sparkling wine from South Africa, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and traditional methods. This elegant sparkling wine represents the pinnacle of South African sparkling wine production, showcasing the region's capability to produce world-class méthode champenoise wines.
Winemaking
The wine is produced using the traditional méthode champenoise, also known locally as Méthode Cap Classique (MCC). The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to maintain fresh acidity and delicate flavors. After the first fermentation, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, followed by extended lees aging, which contributes to its complexity and fine bubble structure.
Taste Profile
This Blanc de Blancs exhibits a pale gold color with a persistent stream of fine bubbles. The nose presents fresh citrus, green apple, and brioche notes. On the palate, it delivers crisp acidity balanced with creamy textures from the lees aging. The wine shows elegant layers of lemon zest, almonds, and subtle autolytic characters, finishing with remarkable length and finesse.
Territory
The Laborie estate is situated in the historic Paarl region of South Africa's Western Cape. The vineyard benefits from a Mediterranean climate with cooling afternoon breezes that help maintain the grapes' natural acidity. The region's unique combination of climate and soil composition creates ideal conditions for producing high-quality sparkling wines.
Fun Facts
- Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) is South Africa's term for traditional method sparkling wines, established in 1992.
- Laborie was one of the pioneering estates in South Africa to produce premium sparkling wines using the traditional method.
- The name "Blanc de Blancs" indicates that the wine is made exclusively from white grapes, typically Chardonnay.
- The estate's winemaking history dates back to 1691, making it one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa.