Fizz, pop, bang – that’s how I like to start my New Year. And you? Are you also up for a celebration with plenty of bubbles to launch you into 2014? If so, try a few of the following and see in the New Year in style.
Best Brut – Krone Borealis Cuvée Brut 2010 (R110 from major retailers)
I love this for the packaging almost as much as I love the contents. Fabulous, elegant, delicate, dancing bubbles with a clean, fresh zippy mouthfeel. These wines keep very well for a few years too. Although not in my house.
Best Pink – Clos Malverne ‘Ellie’ 2011 (R184 from the farm)
Made from 100% Shiraz, this is the maiden bubbly from this Pinotage-specialist farm. Best place to sip this is on their stoep having enjoyed a wonderful hangover lunch after you’ve over-indulged.
Best Blanc de Blanc – Ayama Blanc de Blanc 2008 (R119 from selected retailers).
I liked this wine a lot – the others in the range (a pink and a brut) are also god but this has extra richness and breadth and is a fabulous wine to match with food.
Best Boutique – Genevieve 2010 (R170)
Melissa Nelsen is a girl after my own heart and I am afraid we both sank more bubbly than was probably technically good for us at the Franschhoek Fizz Fest earlier this month. She’s now launched a perfume which picks up the citrus hints from the wine – smells delicious to me!
Best Zero Dosage – Uitkyk Glass Memoires Extra Brut 2011 (R125)
I think this is a nice choice for New Year’s Eve when it’s all about the memories of the previous year. This is actually named for the poems and messages etched onto the glass window panes of the UItkyk manor house which is rather a quaint idea and the bubbly itself, is searingly-dry, refreshingly-crisp and richly-satisfying.
Best non-MCC – Nederburg Cuvée Brut (R45)
If you’re on a beer budget for New Year’s Eve, go for quantity and stock up on this fizz. Nice, fresh, easy-drinking and if you get it from Pick n Pay, you get 6 bottles for the price of 5!