De Grendel Cap Classique Brut 2018

De Grendel Wine Estate is situated on the Southwestern Slopes of the Tygerberg Hills, so named for the spotted little bushes resembling Leopard’s spots. A mere 20 minutes’ drive from Cape Town City Centre and the Cape Town International airport. Facing Table Mountain and Table Bay and the Atlantic Ocean who breezes off the Benguela Current ameliorate the summer heat in th e vineyards and allow for longer and slower ripening on the grape.

Sir David Graaff and his beloved cattle

Steeped in the history of the Cape in terms of business and politics, De Grendel was the home of Sir David Graaff, First Baronet of Cape Town. Here he kept his beloved cattle and did some general farming.

Sir De Villiers & Lady Graaff

His son, Sir de Villiers Graff took over the Estate after his father’s death. Sir Div, as he was fondly known, was an important Statesman and Politician as Leader of the Opposition while running the family business.

Sir David Graaff with his son De Villiers and grandson Bailey

His son, Sir David Graaff, also a politician, was the one who started off the process of creating a premier Wine Estate. And his son, 4^th Baronet Sir De Villiers Graaff, continues the tradition while adding his own legacy.

Sir De Villiers & Lady Graaff. current residents on De Grendel

Made in the traditional Cap Classique style of a second fermentation in the bottle, the blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, this is a stunner of a wine.

Charles Hopkins, Founding Winemaker of De Grendel

Pour

From a Champagne shaped bottle and closed with natural cork and a wire muselet or muzzle. Stately, elegant label and gold foiling. In the glass, a pale lemon hay colour with green flashes. Fine mousse [bubbles] racing to the top and forming a crown around the edges. Fine aromas of Granny Smith apples, grated lemon rind and white guava abound. From entry, the vibrancy of the acidity line well into the aftertaste melds with the fresh baked almond biscotti and elegant fruit. A truly impressive glass by Charles Hopkins, the Founding Cellarmaster of the Estate.

Pair

Sardines, grilled over the coals

The De Grendel Cap Classique Brut 2018 is a fine sipping wine, as a mid-morning refresher, or a sundown, though it makes a great companion to food. Interestingly enough, at the start of a braai, fresh sardines make a great companion. Click HERE for Delia Smith’s recipe