Wine Composition
50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir & 20% Pinotage
Winemakers Comments
This “Methode Cap Classique” (bottle fermented sparkling wine) is a blend of red and white grapes displaying the full, balanced yeasty complexity synonymous with a wine made in this style. The wine retains its fresh racy zestiness that is a result of crisp acidity and rich fruit. Tradition Brut can age for at least 2 years from date of purchase.
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
12.25%
TA
6.5 g/l
pH
3.29
RS
8 g/l
Vineyards/Vintage
Slightly unripe healthy grapes are harvested early in the season by hand.
Cellar Techniques
Whole bunches are deposited directly in the presses (pneumatic) and pressed very gently according to a Champagne pressing programme. Only the cuvee (the best quality juice) is used in the blend. After blending, yeast and sugar are added for a secondary fermentation in the bottle which takes 6 weeks, producing the magical bubble. The sparkling wine is matured in contact with the lees for an average of 18 months.
Winemaker
Name - Jeff Grier & Champagne producer Jean Louis Denois.
Winery
Cousins Jeff and Simon Grier started the family owned Villiera Wines outside of Stellenbosch in 1983. This particular grape-growing region has a prevailing Mediterranean climate which is favored for the growing of vines. All the fruit is grown on Villiera making the wines distinctive and unique.
The introduction of the high-tech cellar facilities for the production of still wines as well as Methode Cap Classique sparkling wines, combined with a unique philosophy has seen Villiera developing into one of the country's leading private wineries.
The winery maintains an environmentally friendly vineyard with 200 ha designated to grapes and the other 200 ha made up of buildings, fallow land, gardens and dams.
Tradition is the first Cap Classique produced by Villiera in 1984. The red label indicates the use of red varieties, which was unique at that stage. Tradition was created with the help of Champagne producer Jean Louis Denois.
