SOME AWARDS carry more weight than others, and there's something to be said for a wine that ticks the boxes for a number of top tasting panels. Over 1500 South African wines were highly rated around the world in 2021, and the following are the sparkling wines among them that received the most glowing reviews of the year – bottled-fermented Méthode Cap Classique, made the traditional way for which Champagne is famous:
TOP CAP CLASSIQUE < R250
Paul René Chardonnay Brut 2017
R220pb from Wonderfontein cellar, Robertson
Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Platinum Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Double Gold Medal at SA Sparkling Championships
96/100 and Best in Class at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Brut 2017
R230pb ex-cellar, Bot River
Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Gold Medal at Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU)
Mariëtte Chardonnay Brut 2015
R225pb from Le Belle Rebelle cellar, Rawsonville-Breedekloof
Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Trophy at Cap Classique Challenge (SA)
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2015
R238pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Winner of Cap Classique Challenge (SA)
Gold Medal at Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU)
Newstead Brut 2016
R245pb ex-cellar, Plettenberg Bay
Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
96/100 in Platter's Guide (SA)
TOP CAP CLASSIQUE < R300
Weltevrede Philip Jonker The Ring Brut 2013
R260pb ex-cellar, Bonnievale
Platinum Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Double Gold Medal at SA Sparkling Championships
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2016
R280pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Wine of the Year at National Wine Challenge (SA)
Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017
R280pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Trophy at Cap Classique Challenge (SA)
TOP CAP CLASSIQUE > R600
Babylonstoren Sprankel 2016
R650pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Quoin Rock Black Series Cap Classique 2014
R750pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
97/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
Trophy at Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU)
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2015
R780pb ex-cellar, Robertson
97/100 in Platter's Guide (SA)
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017
R780pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Trophy at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2009
R820pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Double Gold Medal at Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU)
96/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
96/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)