Lovely Bubbly. Simonsig wins Best Blanc de Blanc and Best Overall prize.

And the winner is.....Cuvee Royale 2005 from Simonsig.

Double wins were the order of the day yesterday with Simonsig Cuvee Royale 2005 winning Best Blanc de Blanc and Best Overall prize at the Wine Magazine Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge. 

SImonsig winemakers. L-R Hannes Meyer, Debbie Thompson and Johan Malan

A roasted biscuity taste with  fine bubbles and a hint of citrus is how I’d describe the winning wine, and the Simonsig people recommend it be drunk on its own or with seafood, oysters, caviar or artichoke hearts. 

I had a couple of bottles in the last few weeks with dishes as diverse as mild Indian curry and salad with fruit, if you pair it right bubbly is really a great food accompaniment. 

SA MCC’s are, to my mind, as good as any French Champagne, and it irks me when I see the French stuff being bought (at a huge price) because it has that cachet of being ‘foreign’ and therefore better. 

Especially galling when you see a bottle of standard big brand champers being drunk and you just know there are plenty of South African MCC’s that would beat the socks off them. 

Simonsig Cuvee Royale 2005. R185 per bottle. Available countrywide. 

www.simonsig.co.za