In 1971, Simonsig’s Frans Malan released the Kaapse Vonkel, South Africa’s first bottle-fermented  sparkling wine. Fifty-five years on, Cap Classique has grown from one pioneering cellar into one of the most dynamic categories in South African wine, with more than 250 producers and a growing international reputation.

In this edition of ‘Let’s Talk’, Pieter Ferreira, Chair of the Cap Classique Producer’s Association  will  trace the category’s journey from the early experiments to the adoption of the “Méthode Cap Classique” name in 1992, and then the more recent move to simply “Cap Classique.” He will look at the range of styles now being made, from Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs to rosé, zero-dosage and long-aged prestige cuvées, including expressions built on Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. He will also explain the work of the Cap Classique Producers’ Association in raising quality standards, including requirements for extended lees ageing, and in building the category’s identity at home and abroad. Finally, he will provide information about the latest infographics.

Speaker biography:
Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira is chairman of the Cap Classique Producers’ Association. He retired from Graham Beck after 37 years, and is now pursuing his own label: Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique. He has more than 40 years’ experience in the South African wine industry. He has been the international ambassador for the category and believes that tide raises all ships. He leads the work to raise quality standards and to grow the category’s profile at home and abroad. His contribution has been recognised with the International Wine Challenge Lifetime Achievement Award and Tim Atkin’s Wine Legend of the Year. Cap Classique is more than his profession: he eats, lives and drinks it every day.

To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/R_8nEht5RpiQlw_jDQ-Myw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We look forward to seeing you then.

If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel or you can email us to request the link.

Helen Savage, CWW online events organiser