Pongracz

Pongracz is a Cap Classique, a bottle-fermented sparkling wine, from the Cape in South Africa. Its name is a tribute to Desiderius Pongrácz, whom the producer describes as a nobleman and refugee from the Hungarian uprising whose vision revitalised viticulture in the Cape.

The vineyards are cooled by maritime breezes, with Pinot Noir grown in deep red soil at 320m above sea level and Chardonnay at 100 to 200m. The Brut is a blend of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir, hand-picked at 18 to 20° Balling from January to mid-February, then made by the traditional bottle-fermented method: whole-bunch pressed and cold-fermented, with a secondary fermentation in the bottle and 15 months on the lees before remuage and dégorgement, then a further 2 to 4 months in a cool cellar.

The producer suggests serving Pongracz with sashimi, oysters in a red onion vinaigrette, or salads.

• Sashimi, oysters in a red onion vinaigrette, or salads