Amorim
Cap Classique
Challenge
The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge is South Africa’s leading event affording recognition to the country’s astounding array of naturally fermented sparkling wines, known as Cap Classique.
Held annually since 2002, the Cap Classique Challenge shares the same values as Amorim Cork, namely a commitment to excellence and the relentless pursuit of ultimate quality in a quality natural product. Judging is conducted in July by a team of experts, with the competition results announced in September. Entry is not limited to members of the Cap Classique Producers Association.
For entry dates and information about the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, please contact the Cap Classique Association by email on info@capclassique.co.za
A list of previous winners can be found below. For videos and photos, please visit our social media channels.
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Newstead Blanc de Blanc 2017
Best Brut
Villiera Monro Brut 2017
Best Rosé
Grahram Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
Best Blanc de Blanc
De Wetshof Blanc de Blanc 2021
Best Extended-Aging Class
Newstead Blanc de Blanc 2017
Best Nectar Class
Simonsig Satin Royale NV
Best Producer, Overall Wine
KWV Laborie Blanc de Blancs CC 2017
Best Brut
Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2017
Best Rosé
Louisvale MCC Rosé NV
Best Blanc de Blanc
KWV Laborie Blanc de Blancs CC 2017
Best Extended-Aging Class
Newstead Blanc de Blancs 2016
Best Nectar Class
Darling Cellars Nectar CC 2020
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2016
Best Brut
Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2016
Best Rosé
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé 2020
Best Blanc de Blanc
Constantia Uitsig MCC 2018
Best Extended-Aging Class
Newstead Blanc de Blancs 2015
Best Nectar Class
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar Rosé 2020
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut MCC 2015
Best Brut
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut MCC 2015
Best Rosé
Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017
Best Blanc de Blanc
Mariëtte Chardonnay Blanc de Blanc MCC 2015
Best Museum Class
Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuveé 2009
Best Nectar Class
Graham Beck Bliss Nectar Rosé (n/v)
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Newstead MCC Blanc de Blancs 2015
Best Brut
Klein Roosboom Marné MCC Brut
Best Rosé
L’Ormarins Brut Classique Rosé (n/v)
Best Blanc de Blanc
Newstead MCC Blanc de Blancs 2015
Best Museum Class
Lourensford Cuvée 101 2010
Best Nectar Class
Graham Beck Bliss Nectar (n/v)
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuveé 2008
Best Brut
Pongrácz Desiderius 2011
Best Rosé
Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir MCC NV
Best Blanc de Blanc
Colmant Blanc de Blancs NV
Best Museum Class
Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuveé 2008
Information videos and event photos
Feedback by MD of Amorim South Africa, Joaquim Sá
Amorim MCC Challenge Judging Chairperson Heidi Duminy Overview
Danielle Jacobs from Boschendal – Best Producer, Overall Wine & Museum Class
Andiswa Mapheleba – Best Brut Pongrácz Desiderius 2011
Elunda Basson – Winner Best Rose – Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir MCC NV
Jean Phillipe Colmant – Winner Best Blanc de Blanc Colmant
Charl Schoeman – Winner Best Demi Sec – Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar Rose 2017
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut MCC 2012
Best Brut
Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut MCC 2012
Best Rosé
Woolworths Simonsig Pinot Noir Rosé 2016 (no added sulphur)
Best Blanc de Blanc
Colmant Brut Chardonnay (non-vintage)
Best Museum Class
Pongracz Desiderius 2009
Frans Malan Legacy Award
Christine Rudman
Best Producer, Overall Wine
Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs 2012
Best Brut
Domaine Des Dieux Claudia Brut MCC 2011
Best Rosé
Woolworths Simonsig Pinot Noir Rosé 2015
Best Blanc de Blanc
Simonsig’s Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs 2012
Best Museum Class
Graham Beck Brut Zero 2005
Frans Malan Legacy Award
Pieter Ferreira of Graham Beck
Best Brut, Overall Winner
Anura Brut 2011
Best Rosé
J.C. Le Roux Pinot Noir Rosé 2010
Best Blanc de Blanc
Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV
Best Museum Class
J.C. Le Roux Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2008
Frans Malan Legacy Award
John and Erica Platter
Best Blanc de Blanc, Overall Winner
Altydgedacht 2013
Best Brut
Laborie Brut 2011 (KWV)
Best Rosé
Louisvale Chardonnay Pinot Noir Rosé NV
Best Museum Class
Pongrácz Desiderius 2003
Frans Malan Legacy Award
Achim Von Arnim of Haute Cabrière
Best Vintage Brut, Overall Winner
Domaines des Dieux 2009
Best Brut Non-Vintage
Lords
Best Rosé Non-Vintage
Graham Beck Brut Rosé
Best Rosé Vintage
Graham Beck Brut Rosé 2009
Best Blanc de Blancs Non-Vintage
Colmant Brut Chardonnay
Best Blanc de Blancs Vintage
Laborie 2010
Best Museum Class
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2004
Frans Malan Legacy Award
Allan Mullins of Woolworths
Best Vintage Brut, Overall Winner
Boschendal Grande Cuvée Brut 2009
Best Brut Non-Vintage
Colmant Brut
Best Rosé Non-Vintage
Graham Beck Brut Rosé
Best Rosé Vintage
Graham Beck Brut Rosé 2009
Best Blanc de Blancs Non-Vintage
Colmant Brut Chardonnay
Best Blanc de Blancs Vintage
Rickety Bridge Blanc de Blancs 2009
Best Museum Class
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2007
Best Blanc de Blancs, Overall Winner
Simonsig Cuvee Royale Blanc de Blanc 2007
Best Rosé
JC le Roux Pinot Noir Rose 2008
Best Brut
JC le Roux Scintilla 2003
Best Museum Class
Krone Borealis Vintage Cuvee Brut 2001
Best Blanc de Blancs, Overall Winner
Simonsig Cuveé Royale 2005
Best Non-Vintage
Pongrácz Brut NV
Best Rose
Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV
Best Vintage
Boschendal Grande Cuvée Brut 2007
Best Blanc de Blancs, Overall Winner
Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blanc 2007
Best Non-Vintage
Pongrácz Brut
Best Rose
Pongrácz Rosé
Best Vintage
Kumkani Infiniti Brut 2004
Best Vintage, Overall Winner
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2005
Best Non-Vintage
Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut Entheos
Best Rose
Ross Gower Pinot Noir Brut 2007
Best Blanc de Blancs
Klein Constantia Brut 2006
Overall Winner
JC le Roux Pinot Noir Rosé 2006 – disgorged January 2008
RATED 4 STARS
Krone Borealis Brut 2001 – disgorged May 2007
Waterford Cap Classique 2000 – disgorged June 2008
WINNER RATED 4½ STARS
Graham Beck Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay 1994 (1.5-litre) – disgorged March 2006
RATED 4 STARS
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2003 – disgorged July 2007
Graham Beck Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV (1.5-litre) – disgorged February 2007
Morena Brut Rosé NV – disgorged June 2007 (Franschhoek Pass)
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2005 – disgorged April 2007
Villiera Monro Brut 2001 – disgorged April 2007
Woolworths Villiera Brut 1999 – disgorged November 2005
WINNER RATED 4½ STARS
Desiderius Pongrácz 2001 – disgorged July 2004 (JC le Roux)
ALSO RATED 4½ STARS
Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve 2002 – disgorged November 2005 (Bon Courage)
RATED 4 STARS
Desiderius Pongrácz 1999 – disgorged April 2006 (JC le Roux)
Graham Beck Brut – disgorged December 2005
Graham Beck Brut – disgorged May 2006
Graham Beck Brut 1994 – 1.5 litre – disgorged March 2006
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2001 – disgorged February 2006
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2002 – disgorged July 2006
JC le Roux Scintilla 1999 – disgorged April 2006
JC le Roux Scintilla 2001 – disgorged April 2005
Woolworths Brut Vintage Reserve 1999 – disgorged November 2005
WINNER RATED 4½ STARS
Laborie Blanc de Blanc 2000, disgorged April 2004
RATED 4 STARS
Desiderius Pongrácz 1998, disgorged October 2003 (JC le Roux)
Dieu Donné Maingard Brut Blanc de Blancs 2002, disgorged October 2004
Graham Beck Brut 1994 magnum, disgorged September 1999
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 1999, disgorged April 2004
Villiera Monro 1999, disgorged January 2004
Villiera Tradition Brut Rosé, disgorged January 2005
Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut 2000, disgorged February 2005
Woolworths Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay Brut 2002, disgorged June 2005 (Villiera)
Woolworths Méthode Cap Classique Brut 1998, disgorged October 2003 (Villiera)
WINNER: RATED 4½ STARS
Jacques Bruere Brut Reserve 2000, disgorged September 2003 (Jacques Bruwer, Bon Courage)
RATED 4 STARS
Ambeloui Alexis Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2001 (disgorged May 2004)
Desiderius Pongrácz 1998 (disgorged December 2003)
Graham Beck Brut (disgorged August 2003)
Graham Beck Brut 1994 (disgorged January 2000, magnum)
Graham Beck Brut 1999 (disgorged August 2004, magnum)
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 1999 (disgorged January 2004)
Graham Beck Brut Rosé (disgorged March 2004)
Jacques Bruere Blanc de Blanc Brut Reserve 2000 (disgorged September 2003)
Môreson Soleil du Matin Brut (disgorged July 2004)
Pongrácz (disgorged March 2004)
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2001 (disgorged October 2003, magnum)
Woolworths Villiera Brut Rosé (disgorged January 2004)
Woolworths Villiera MCC Vintage Reserve 1997 (disgorged September 2003)
WINNER
Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut 1999
ALSO RATED 4 STARS
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut 1991
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut 1998
Graham Beck Brut 1994
Graham Beck Brut NV (disgorged Dec 2001)
Groot Constantia Cap Classique NV
Môreson Soleil du Matin Brut NV
Woolworths Brut Rosé NV
WINNER
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 1999
ALSO RATED 4½ STARS
Boschendal Brut 1998
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 1998