Lock, stock and wine barrel: Sparkling wine

At brunch the other morning, I realised how deep the idea of sparkling wine has permeated in South Africa – almost half the restaurant had a bottle on a table. And why not?

South Africa knows a thing or two about creating sparkling wines, from those that are budget-friendly to those with the buttery-cookie flavours that make any champagne feel underdressed at the party.

Here are three spring bubblies you should try:

Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

This sparkling wine isn’t here to play. It’s a youthful bubbly and deviates from traditional MCC norms by spending less time on the lees, ensuring an ultra-crisp experience. On the nose, expect litchi, guava, pineapple, mango and green fig, with pineapple notes moving on to the palate. Serve ice cold. It retails for about R120.

Klein Zalze Non-Vintage Brut Rosé

A personal favourite, this Brut Rosé is why MCC exists. At 40% chardonnay and 60% pinot noir, it has a delicate pink hue and a marvellous palate (being bottle-matured for 18 months) with aromas of cherries and berries and a delightful bubbly tickle. Retails for about R110.

Klein Zalze Non-Vintage Brut

A twin to their rosé shares many of the same complexities but without the pink hues. At 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, this MCC is as traditional as they come with a long finish. It features a classic biscuit bouquet, making it a bit of decadence – how bad can that be? Retails for about R110.