Time to put the Franschhoek MCC Route top of your bucketlist, winelovers! A whole day spent driving around the countryside, drinking bubbly? What a breeze.
MCC – Méthode Cap Classique – is what we call champagne in South Africa, and it’s as good as anything the French put out. Seriously. Far more affordable too, so you can celebrate a l’il something-something almost every day.
Better still, why not hook up with some friends to discover and explore the Franschhoek MCC Route on your own! Make it even easier by hiring a minibus and driver for the day from Bettina’s Shuttle Service and Tours. Based in Stellenbosch, Bettina’s drivers are professional and very experienced, with excellent knowledge of the Cape Winelands and surrounding wine farms. Which of course means you can focus fully on the very important task at hand, of enjoying some of the best bubbly in the land.
Regarded as one of South Africa’s leading Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) producing areas, the Franschhoek Wine Valley MCC route was established about a year ago to encourage visitors. The Valley, renowned for producing outstanding Méthode Cap Classiques, has a total of 24 producers.
Doing an MCC tour of your own is as simple as popping into the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism’s office, picking up the route map, and deciding which wine estates to visit for the day. Alternatively, click on this link to download the route map and list of MCC producers: Franschhoek MCC Route Map and Franschhoek MCC Producers and Contact Details.
No prior booking or prepayments are necessary; you can literally just turn up at any of the estates during opening times, and get busy tasting. Each estate has its own set price per head for tastings, so remember to take some moolah along. Prices for the bubbly tastings vary around R40 – R50 per head.
This week I was invited on a preview of the Route, and to raise awareness for the coming Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival on 3-4 December.
Several surprises lay in store for me, not least of which the superior quality of the bubbly we drank. There’s some delicious stuff out there, folks! Biggest delight of all were the wine estates I routinely drive past when visiting the valley, like Plaisir de Merle and Boschendal. Well, my jaw hit the floor. Plaisir de Merle, just past Babylonstoren, is paradise. Immaculate landscaped gardens and breathtaking mountain views frame an experience best classified as: Classic Old World Grand Cape Estate. The manor house has several guest bedrooms, a banquet room and sitting rooms, plus an adjoining building with further accommodation. A popular wedding venue, Plaisir de Merle has no on-site restaurant or café, which really just means you can concentrate completely on drinking wine and bubbly. And believe me, if there is anywhere more perfect for drinking fine champagne than in that landscape of heavenly splendour, I’d like to see it.
Winemaker Niel Bester welcomed us and presented a tasting of the Brut 2014 and 2011 vintages. One of the largest wine farms in the Cape and owned by Distell, Plaisir de Merle was established by French Huguenots in 1693 and continues to produce great wines, notably reds and chardonnay. Click here to read more Plaisir de Merle.
Next door neighbour Babylonstoren dates back to 1692 and released its maiden Sprankel MCC vintage in 2015, 4 years after harvest. The tasting was presented over glorious Vegetarian Platters for sharing in the sleek modern Tasting Room. A true blanc de blancs, its made entirely of chardonnay grapes from various vineyards on the farm. Only 1 000 bottles of the current vintage Sprankel remain for sale, either at the Tasting Room or at airports. Click here to read more Babylonstoren.
I’ve read a lot about all the developments at Boschendal, and somehow just never made the time to investigate for myself. Silly me! It’s one of the superlative food and wine experiences in the Cape Winelands, and the MCC’s are superb. Beautiful labels with a ‘Belle Epoque’ feel, the tear-shaped bottles make a pretty picture on the table but it’s what’s inside that’s truly thrilling.
The chocolate and bubbly pairing was a novel and delightful experience, my favourite being Brut Rosé paired with pink pomegranate white chocolate. The tasting included the Boschendal pinot noir/chardonnay Brut NV MCC as well as the still pinot noir/chardonnay wine. If you’re feeling flush, the Boschendal Jean de Long 2007 vintage comes in a velvet-lined box, selling at R450. Worth it, and the perfect Xmas stocking filler.
Do as we did, and have lunch at De Werf afterwards. Cool, airy and spacious, De Werf marries the best of tradition and modernity in food, design and ambience. Executive chef Christiaan Campbell stands at the helm of a very able crew who create magic with the abundant fresh, organic produce from their own kitchen gardens. Strictly regional ingredients are used, including those from the estate’s own cattle, chickens, lambs, pigs and fish. Talk about self-sufficient! The sustainability ethos at Boschendal is echoed in De Werf’s farm-to-table menus, serving great food that’s good for you, too.
Read more about De Werf and Boschendal
Our tour ended with a flourish and a grand finale at Alleé Bleue estate, with three little puddings accompanying the gorgeous Brut Rosé (R130 a bottle) and classic Brut MCC., priced at R120. Alleé Bleue produces award-winning wines – their chenin blanc is one of my favourites – and it’s worth visiting for their summer picnics too.
Our tour was but a tiny section of the whole route map, and based on the fun I had, there will be plenty more visits to Franschhoek for further Cap Classique Tours. And in case you wonder if you’re worth a day of drinking bubbly in the valley, I’ll assure you ‘Yes, Princess, you are.’ Now book it.
For further information visit www.franschhoek.org.za or contact info@franschhoek.org.za
