AFTER winning a gold medal at the 2016 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships earlier in the year, Graham Beck’s 2009 Cuvée Clive Cap Classique was subsequently honoured as one of the 11 National Champions at the trophy awards dinner in London. For the other top South African achievers in the competition, see here. For the full competition results, see here.

At the awards dinner, France’s Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2002 (in magnum) was named ‘Supreme World Champion’ and Best French Sparkling Wine.  The same Champagne House was also named Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year, with  the ‘World Champions by Style’ including the following: Ferrari Brut NV (in magnum) from Italy, Digna Estelado Rosé Uva Païs NV from Chile, Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV Champagne, Louis Roederer Brut Rosé Millésime 2010 Champagne, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2006 Champagne (in magnum) and Dom Pérignon Rosé 1995 P2 Champagne.

So far this year, Cuvée Clive 2009 has also been awarded by the SA Sommeliers Association and in the Top 100 SA Wine Challenge – that after being ‘Highly Recommended’ in the Platter’s guide. Selling for R595 per bottle at the cellar in Robertson, the sparkler is a blend of 80% Chardonnay from local plantings and 20% Pinot Noir from Stellenbosch – the flagship in the range of Graham Beck wines made according to the traditional Méthode Champenoise.