rating B+

standout South Africa’s best known sparkling wine producer

about In 1990, Graham Beck hired Peter Ferreira (“Mr. Bubbles”) as cellarmaster, who quickly persuaded Beck to make sparkling wine and then to make the winery's flagship wine bubbles. Since then, the wines have been served at Nelson Mandela's and Barack Obama's inaugurations. Graham Beck died in 2010 aged 80, and the winery is now overseen by his son Anthony. Most of the fruit comes from the winery’s estate in Robertson, an inland region which receives rain and breezes from the ocean. Fruit is also sourced from across Western Cape, and is all Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Several styles are made; wines aged for 15 months; wines aged for 40 months; blanc de blancs and rosé; and demi-sec.

wines tasted

Brut NV ($20)

The aim for Graham Beck's non-vintage wines is to make them appealing and approachable while still being serious and complex. A blend of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir, the Brut is fruit-forward, but with fresh acidity and a leesy complexity. That fresh acidity is maintained by ensuring the wine does not go through malolactic fermentation. Dosage of 9.2g/L is barely noticeable, and adds to the wine’s body. When looking for a solid bottle of bubbles, this is a very safe bet.

website https://grahambeck.com/

email market@grahambeck.com

phone +27 23 626 1214

address 14 Louw St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600