The Swartland’s renowned Riebeek Valley Wine Co. has added a delicious bubbly to its award-winning portfolio. Joining the sought-after Pieter Cruythoff Brut is a Brut Rosé, whose arrival also heralds a fresh new label for the range.
“We’re tremendously excited about expanding this range of very popular wines, named after an early explorer to our valley,” says winemaker Jacques Theron. “With the weather warming up, the timing is just perfect considering they’re both sublime and tasty refreshers.
“Enjoy them whenever, even with breakfast as a Mimosa cocktail!”
Where the new label is concerned, the design brief required a modern re-enforcement of its reputation as a premium and elegant wine. Pieter Cruythoff bubbly is now even more of a stand-out.
The Pieter Cruythoff Brut Rosé is made in a rare style that combines the traditional Champagne technique to create flavour and French “Charmat” method of carbonation, for fizz. The age-old blend of Chardonnay and Pinot noir that is common in the making of Champagne is also used, along with selected Champagne yeast, to create a luxurious sparkling wine for everyday enjoyment.
Elegant packaging means that it easily makes a statement when celebration is in order.
Fruit for the new rosé is harvested at optimal ripeness from vineyards on the Kasteelberg Mountain, a landmark of the Riebeek Wine Valley. As quality wine demands, the grapes are selected from cooler slopes and harvested earlier in the harvest season while the grapes have a little more natural acidity. They were then crushed together.
Only free run juice is used, capturing freshness and an array of layered fruit aromas and flavours. This is then cold fermented and left on the gross lees for six months. During malolactic fermentation, it develops the distinct and typical characteristics associated with premium sparkling wine.
This process applies to the classic Pieter Cruythoff Brut too, differing with the Brut Rosé in that the latter sees a 2% portion of Shiraz blended in to add notes of red berries and a hint of spice.
Both wines are exceptional when enjoyed on their own but shine equally when paired with food.
The Pieter Cruythoff Brut shows peach blossom, white peach and melon aromatics, well-balanced by a fresh acidity and light, airy mousse. It pairs wonderfully with summer salads, wild mushroom ristto, sushi, seared tuna and salmon. The new Brut Rosé displays bright red berry notes, a hint of rose petals, and a touch spice, making it perfect with a variety of dishes including rich chocolate desserts.
Both wines sell for R96/bottle.
They’re available at selected Spar Tops and Checkers stores as well as online for free nationwide delivery at cellar door prices.
