The only SA sparkling wine to be awarded a Grand Gold in Belgium

The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is the global benchmark for wine competitions, and they’ve just awarded Pongrácz a Grand Gold for its Pongrácz Brut at the 2023 awards held in Belgium.

This makes Pongrácz the only South African sparkling wine to win a Grand Gold, with only 11 Grand Golds being awarded in total. One each went to South Africa, Spain, Italy and Portugal, and seven went to France.

The Pongrácz Brut is perfect for anywhere, anytime enjoyment. With crisp green apple notes and the nuances of freshly baked bread on the nose, complemented by delicate yeasty tones and layered citrus fruit on the palate, it’s ideal on its own, at brunch, or at a picnic with charcuterie and cheeses. Bottle-fermented and matured on lees for at least 15 months, the wine is crafted from the classic Champagne varietals chardonnay and pinot noir.

Meanwhile, the vintage Desiderius Pongrácz 2015 was awarded Gold. This is a timeless wine made in the French tradition. A blend of chardonnay (80%) and pinot noir (20%) grapes, it offers elegant bubbles and brioche-like aromas on the nose, followed by a rich and complex combination of nuanced fruit, almonds and yeasty notes on the palate.

Pongrácz winemaker MP Botes says these two gold awards confirm the quality of locally produced Cap Classiques made in the French tradition expressing their South African terroir.

“The numerous awards of our Cap Classiques echo our continuous commitment to producing world-class quality products. We nurture these wines over a long period whilst the secondary fermentation in the bottle creates exquisite, delicate bubbles and integrated aromas. I feel so privileged to be part in the making of these remarkable Cap Classiques.”

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