Girls' Night Set “Bubbles & Babbel”

Three Rosés, Three Bruts, Plenty to Talk About

An evening with friends doesn’t need much: good conversation, something delicious to nibble on and bubbles in the glass. The “Bubbles & Babbel” girls’ night set brings exactly that, with six Méthode Cap Classique wines from four estates in Constantia, Robertson, Tulbagh and Franschhoek. Three Rosés and three white Bruts, all made using the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle and lees ageing. Krone and Graham Beck are each represented by a Rosé and a Brut, inviting comparison and conversation. From berry-forward and playful to citrus-fresh and creamy, there’s something for everyone, including plenty of conversation starters.

The Six Bottles in the Set

• Steenberg Pinot Noir Brut Rosé NV Pure Pinot Noir from Constantia, from the oldest registered wine estate in Cape Town (founded in 1682). Raspberry, wild strawberry and a hint of brioche, creamy and dry on the finish. Trophy for best Rosé in its class at the 2019 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge.
• Krone MCC Brut Rosé 2023 Vintage Rosé from Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate in Tulbagh, made almost exclusively from Pinot Noir. Wild strawberry, rose water and a hint of orange zest, delicate and lively. Perfect for the first sip of the evening.
• Graham Beck MCC Brut Rosé NV The Rosé from what is probably the best-known Cap Classique estate in Robertson. Silvery-pink in the glass, with raspberry, cherry and a hint of oyster shell. Fresh and versatile, a Rosé for almost anything served.
• Krone MCC Brut Borealis 2024 Predominantly Chardonnay with Pinot Noir, also a vintage wine, as Krone exclusively bottles its Cap Classiques as vintage wines. Green apple, lime and a hint of pineapple, light and precise.
• Graham Beck MCC Brut Non Vintage The classic from Robertson, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a proportion of reserve wine. Citrus, green apple and delicate brioche. This Cap Classique was used to toast Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994.
• L'Ormarins MCC Brut NV From Anthonij Rupert Estate in Franschhoek. Citrus zest, green apple and delicate brioche, supported by lively acidity. Remarkably long lees ageing for a non-vintage wine.

At a glance: 6 x 0.75 l bottles, Méthode Cap Classique (three Rosés, three Bruts), South Africa, dry (Brut). Best served chilled at 6 to 8°C.

Vinification

• Steenberg Pinot Noir Brut Rosé NV: 100% Pinot Noir. Hand-picked at low sugar levels (18.5 to 19° Brix), whole-bunch pressed. Secondary fermentation in the bottle under crown caps, with at least 15 months of lees ageing. Constantia.
• Krone MCC Brut Rosé 2023: 92% Pinot Noir, 8% Chardonnay. Hand-picked at night. Traditional bottle fermentation, around 12 months of lees ageing in the historic underground cellar, and hand disgorgement. Twee Jonge Gezellen, Tulbagh.
• Graham Beck MCC Brut Rosé NV: Around 50% Pinot Noir, just under 50% Chardonnay, with a small proportion of Pinot Meunier depending on the bottling. Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented separately by variety. Bottle fermentation with long lees ageing. Robertson, Western Cape.
• Krone MCC Brut Borealis 2024: Around 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Only free-run juice, no oak. Traditional bottle fermentation, with at least 12 months of lees ageing in the historic underground cellar. Twee Jonge Gezellen, Tulbagh.
• Graham Beck MCC Brut Non Vintage: Around 56% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir (proportions vary depending on the bottling). Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented separately by variety. 8 to 12% reserve wine in the blend. Secondary fermentation in the bottle, with 15 to 18 months of lees ageing. Robertson (grapes from the Western Cape).
• L'Ormarins MCC Brut NV: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, hand-picked and fermented separately, then blended. 2 to 3 years of lees ageing in the bottle, followed by around 3 months of bottle ageing after disgorgement. Franschhoek, Anthonij Rupert Estate.

Pairs with: Aperitifs, finger food, sushi, prawns, smoked salmon, bruschetta, antipasti, flatbread pizza, goat cheese, strawberries and fresh fruit. And long evenings full of stories.