Methode Cap Classique Challenge at the Vineyard Hotel with Michelin Star UK Chef Roger Jones
On Sunday 17 January, The Vineyard Hotel hosted the Methode Cap Classique Challenge. Organised by Michelin Star UK Chef Roger Jones, the event was attended by the “who’s who” of South African and UK sparkling wine.
The teams
The challenge saw over 24 South African and UK Mèthode Cap Classique (MCC) wines sampled and scored. Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira from Graham Beck Wines led the South African team of judges while Richard Morris of Ancre Hill Estate in Wales led the UK team. Both teams were designed to mimic the current cricket theme that is sweeping the nation.
Mèthode Cap Classique winner
‘Bubbles’ Ferreira took the SA team to victory with 8 of the 11 blind tastings going in SA’s favour. The award-winning winemaker also claimed the overall win on the night for his Graham Beck’s Cuveé Clive. Said Roger Jones about the evening, “It was not ultimately about winning. But the idea behind the evening was more to highlight the enormous steps UK sparkling wine has taken in recent years, as well as put more of an international spotlight on South African MCC.
Wine Tourism
Roy Davies, General Manager of the Vineyard Hotel says, “the MCC Challenge further entrenched the Vineyard’s support of wine tourism in South Africa. Plus it was great to have exposure to really good English and Welsh bubbles, which is something we haven’t experienced before.”
Roger Jones
Roger Jones is currently in South Africa hosting wine challenges and wine-paired dinners at the Vineyard Hotel. A highly-anticipated 2016 wine-paired dinner will be held this weekend. The fully subscribed event sees South Africa’s finest wines competing against those from New Zealand, with diners voting for their favourite wines.
#mccchallenge #vineyardhasrogerjones
Blind tastings at the Methode Cap Classique Challenge