De Grendel Proposal Hill Cap Classique Brut Rosé 2017
De Grendel Wine Estate is in the Durbanville Wine Appellation, though divorced from it by the Tygerberg Hills on whose southwest facing slopes it is situated. A mere 20 minutes from the city centre and the Cape Town International Airport.
Sir De Villiers & Lady Graaff
Proposal Hill is a hillock on the Estate on which Sir De Villiers Graaff, 2nd Baronet, proposed to his lady, Ina. This wine is a celebration of this day.
Pinot Noir Grapes ripening on the vine
A beautifully constructed wine by Charles Hopkins, the Founding Winemaker of the Estate. Made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise during which the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. 19 days for first fermentation. 120 days on the lees, during which malolactic fermentation took place. Preparation for bottling then took place and the wine was bottled and given the shot of yeast and sugar for the second fermentation which took 2 months and then left on the lees for 2 years before dégorgement, and the application of the cork and the little wire muzzle.
Pour
From an elegantly labelled Champagne shape bottle. The colour in the glass is a delicate cherry blossom with masses of the tiniest and most persistent bubbles rushing healing to the surface and forming a crown around the edges. Aromas are of red berries with a floral undertow. The palate from entry has a brilliant line of acidity, raspberries, frais des bois, and a freshly baked yeast loaf, all of which mingle in harmony in the long aftertaste. A truly impressive glass, so perfect for any occasion.
Pair
The De Grendel Proposal Hill Cap Classique Brut Rosé 2017 is the perfect sipping wine late morning under a pergola on a sunny day. It is a perfect match for oysters, chilled prawns with a dipping sauce, or even a delicate Keralan Chicken Curry. My version of a C Louis Leipoldt Chicken Curry is a perfect partner. The recipe is in my latest book, Michael Olivier’s Friends. Food, Flavour.