As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that Graham Beck is not a champagne. Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region in France. The term “champagne” is legally protected and can only be used for wines produced in this region using specific grape varieties and production methods.
However, Graham Beck winery has gained recognition and acclaim for their sparkling wines, which are made using the traditional Champagne method. This method, also known as the méthode traditionnelle or méthode champenoise, involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle, resulting in the characteristic bubbles and complexity of flavor that sparkling wines are known for.
Graham Beck's commitment to quality and attention to detail have earned them numerous awards and a reputation for producing some of South Africa's finest sparkling wines. Their wines have been enjoyed by esteemed individuals such as Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama, further highlighting their exceptional quality and appeal.
The winery's dedication to crafting exceptional sparkling wines is evident in their vineyard practices and winemaking techniques. They carefully select the best grapes from their vineyards, ensuring that only the highest quality fruit is used in their wines. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a gentle pressing to extract the juice, which is then fermented in stainless steel tanks.
After the initial fermentation, the wine is bottled with a mixture of yeast and sugar, known as the tirage, and sealed with a crown cap. This initiates the secondary fermentation, where the wine develops its bubbles and complexity over time. The bottles are aged on their lees, or yeast sediment, for an extended period, allowing the wine to develop its distinctive flavors and aromas.
Once the aging process is complete, the bottles undergo a process called riddling, where they are gradually turned and tilted to collect the yeast sediment in the neck of the bottle. The neck is then frozen, and the frozen plug of yeast is disgorged, leaving a clean and clear wine. A small amount of dosage, a mixture of wine and sugar, is added to balance the wine's acidity and provide the desired level of sweetness.
The final step is to cork the bottles with a traditional champagne cork and wire cage, ensuring that the wine is properly sealed and can age gracefully. Graham Beck's sparkling wines are then ready to be enjoyed and appreciated for their elegance, complexity, and fine bubbles.
While Graham Beck is not a champagne, their dedication to crafting exceptional sparkling wines using the traditional Champagne method has earned them a well-deserved reputation. Their wines showcase the unique terroir of South Africa and offer a taste of the country's winemaking excellence.