WINE NEWS: Introducing Krone’s Range Of 2018 Cap Classiques
Krone’s range of four 2018 Cap Classiques offers something for everyone, enchanting any palate whether your preferred bubbly is taut and lean, refreshing and fruit forward, plush and expansive, crisp and dry or rich and voluminous with a touch of sweetness.
KRONE BOREALIS VINTAGE CUVÉE BRUT 2018
Following on from Krone’s tradition of hand-picking their grapes under the stars in the cool of the night to retain flavour and aroma, the Krone Borealis was named after the ‘Corona Borealis’ constellation of stars. Legend records that Dionysus, God of Wine in Greek mythology, to prove his love for Princess Ariadne of Crete, threw her golden crown into the heavens, where its jewels changed to stars, so that she might shine forever as the dainty constellation called Corona Borealis. Corona means crown, as does Krone, giving rise to Krone Borealis – the bottle fermented sparkling wine that is full of ‘stars’.
BLEND: 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir.
TASTING NOTES: Elegant, iridescent gold. Bursts of elderflower and apple blossom intermingle with orange peel and crushed oyster shell. There’s a citrusy tingle of baobab pods on palate entry, edged in that salinity so characteristic of the 2018 vintage. Taut, lean and fresh; kumquat and naartjie come to the fore evolving into salted caramel. The mousse is fine-beaded and toned, with a graceful trajectory into a tensile finish that promises to become more biscuity as it ages.
FOOD PAIRING: Our flagship MCC evokes a sense of discovery in dining—in a pure and simple way; such as mussels steamed open with seawater; with its distinct line of salinity, the Borealis elevates the oceanic. Minerals and earth; salt-baked; creamy porcini risotto. Simmering comforts of braising chicken, texture and spice.
RETAIL PRICE: Krone Vintage Borealis Brut 2018 is available nationally in select liquor retailers and grocers at approximately R150 per bottle.
KRONE VINTAGE ROSÉ CUVÉE BRUT 2018
The grapes for MCC are Traditional grape varieties (pinot noir and chardonnay) are hand harvested in the cool of the night. Only the free-run juice is used for this MCC: ± the first 500 litres per ton. Krone Cuvée Brut Rosé is bottle-fermented and then matures on the lees in the underground cellar.
The 2018 growing season was dominated by blue skies and parched earth, with the prevailing drought of the last five years across the Western Cape reaching its apex. The extreme conditions were evident in the small 2018 harvest.
The grapes and vines were very healthy, which resulted in clean fermentations with pure fruit expressions of the base wines.
BLEND: 87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES: Salmon-pink. A floral bouquet of rosewater meets the sweet-sour-salty scent of coastal sour figs. Fresh red fruits—pomegranates, cranberries—take centre stage on the full, soft palate, unfolding into candied orange and white-fleshed nectarine. The complexity of the 2018 vintage is on show here; the drought resulted in smaller harvests that culminated in base wines with pure fruit expressions. There’s a fragility and elegance to the pinot noir. The vivid acidity is cushioned in a fine, creamy mousse, finishing with lingering notes of toasted hazelnuts.
FOOD PAIRING: Krone Cuvée Brut Rosé delights in food that favours honest expression; from a simple picnic with slivers of charcuterie, crusty sourdough bread, ripe, melty Camembert. A tug-of-war between density and weightlessness, the structure lends itself to the refined too; salmon with crispy skin crackling and wild black rice to rolled porchetta, and duck with cherries.
RETAIL PRICE: Krone Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2018 is widely available nationally in select liquor retailers and grocers at approximately R150 per bottle.
KRONE VINTAGE NIGHT NECTAR DEMI-SEC 2018
Demi-Sec is a distinctive style of Cap Classique that deserves to be discovered. It is probably the closest in style to the first famous sparkling wines of France a century ago: providing that touch of sweetness which renders the style “Demi-Sec” or Semi-Sweet in category.
Traditional grape varieties (chardonnay and pinot noir) are hand harvested in the cool of the night. Only the free-run juice is used for this MCC: ± the first 500 litres per ton.
Krone Night Nectar is made in classic bottle-fermented style with maturation on the lees in the underground cellar before the final dosage is added, providing that touch of sweetness.
BLEND: 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir
TASTING NOTES: Pale lemon-yellow. A light and bright bouquet of honeysuckle, apple blossom and jasmine intermingle with the scent of baking golden apples. The pure, clean fruit expression of the 2018 vintage is evident on the palate; litchis layered with the zing of nectarine, lemon drops and nuances of ginger spice. Full, plush and expansive, the mouthfeel is honeyed and soft, with a dreamy mousse that recedes into a refreshing, poised finish.
FOOD PAIRING: A dance of brightness and opulence, Night Nectar demands rich, indulgent dishes. Creamy and fragrant butter chicken curry hits all the right notes as does smoked fish croquettes with lemon aioli. Refreshing yet plush, it pulls you into the realm of the sweet too. Think honeycomb and salted caramel or lemon, poppy seed and goats cheese cheesecake.
RETAIL PRICE: Krone Night Nectar Demi-Sec 2018 is available nationally in select liquor retailers and grocers at approximately R150 per bottle.
KRONE VINTAGE NIGHT NECTAR DEMI-SEC ROSÉ 2018
Traditional grape varieties (pinot noir and chardonnay) are hand harvested in the cool of the night. Only the free-run juice is used for this MCC: ± the first 500 litres per ton.
Krone Night Nectar Rosé is made in classic bottle-fermented style with maturation on the lees in the underground cellar before the final dosage is added, providing that touch of sweetness which renders this refreshing bubbly “Demi-Sec” or Semi Sweet in category.
BLEND: 87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay
TASTING NOTES: Lustrous pink-copper. Aromas of cranberries, raspberries, strawberries and red cherries deepen into maraschino cherries and toffee apples on the rich and voluminous palate. Wild brambleberries join the lively and playful fruit centre. Poised, refreshing and fruit-forward the phenolic ripeness of the 2018 vintage is on show here. The mousse is fine and creamy with the effervescence of citrus-sherbet singing along, lengthening into a vibrant acidity and treacle-tinged finish.
FOOD PAIRING: The vibrant vivacity of this MCC is a true joy paired with bold, deep flavours; prawns grilled on hot coals with coconut lime basting and peach chutney; its berry-richness harmonious with unctuous, sticky pork belly; spice, texture, cream are all heightened, pair with the pillowy softness of strawberry cream cake, the astringency of raspberry pinwheels, and the fine crunch of rose-water macarons.
RETAIL PRICE: Krone Night Nectar Demi-Sec Rosé 2018 is widely available nationally in select liquor retailers and grocers at approximately R150 per bottle.
KRONE VINTAGE-ONLY MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE
Krone Vintage-only Méthode Cap Classique is produced on Twee Jonge Gezellen wine estate in Tulbagh. We believe that each vintage tells a story. Krone Méthode Cap Classique celebrates a unique moment in time and place; expressing our commitment to the vintage and the character of each harvest, selecting only the finest, most distinctive fruit. It’s a journey of discovery that sees each and every vintage borne from nature, to the rest and maturation in the cool of our underground cellar.
Traditional grape varieties (chardonnay and pinot noir) are harvested in the cool of the night. Only the free-run juice is used for Krone Vintage-only Méthode Cap Classique: the first 500 litres per ton. Krone MCC is bottle-fermented on the lees and then matures on the lees in the underground cellar. Prior to disgorging, the bottles are packed in wooden pupitres and the rémuage (turning of bottles) is done entirely by hand: truly handcrafted wines.
TWEE JONGE GEZELLEN
Established in 1710, a national monument with over 300 years of history, Twee Jonge Gezellen in Tulbagh is the treasured home of Krone, a collection of vintage-only, terroir-driven Méthode Cap Classiques made from the finest most distinctive grapes. Traditional Champagne grape varieties, chardonnay and pinot noir, have been night-harvested since the early 1980s to preserve the delicate aromas and flavours of the grapes. Vintage after vintage of Krone MCC is made in classic bottle-fermented style and hand-turned in traditional pupitres while it matures on the lees in the cool of underground cellar before disgorgement.
When the Rands family bought the farm in 2012, many of the original buildings were in need of refurbishment. Today, after lengthy restoration, the farm is both redolent of its 300-year-old history as well as burgeoning with contemporary relevance. Visitors can journey through a series of extraordinary spaces, immersed in history, and filled with contemporary art, sculpture and collectible design, before moving on to sample Krone’s vintage Cap Classiques. The raised terrace offers singular views of the picturesque valley and the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains, while the Tasting Room boasts a dramatic picture window that unveils the workings of the cellar.
Twee Jonge Gezellen continues to delight its visitors into the 21st century, offering tastings, cellar and gallery tours.
- The Tasting Room and Deck are open Monday to Friday from 10h00-16h00, and on Saturdays from 10h00 to 14h00.
- The WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery at Twee Jonge Gezellen, celebrating African contemporary art in the heart of Tulbagh is open Monday to Saturday from 10h00-16h00.
- Twee Jonge Gezellen is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Tel: 023 230 0680 · Email: info@kronemcc.com · Website: kronemcc.com · Facebook: Facebook.com/KroneMCC Twitter and Instagram: @KroneMCC