Head off to Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate in Franschhoek for the ultimate tasting experience of their trio of vibrant Méthode Cap Classiques and fresh West Coast oysters.
A new addition to The Tasting Room at Grande Provence, the MCC & Oysters 3-Ways Tasting is served from the oyster bar under majestic oaks in the estate’s magnificent Sculpture Garden. In celebration of the new range of Grande Provence MCCs, Executive Chef Guy Bennett has created a signature oyster pairing for each of the three elegant bubblies.
For the shimmering Grande Provence Brut MCC, a beautifully balanced blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the yeasty character and complexity of freshly baked bread, Chef Guy has enlivened the oyster with pickled daikon, a locally grown Asian style radish, and a soy & sesame dressing.
Teeming with fresh red berry flavours and a pale salmon hue from a dash of Pinotage, the enchanting Grande Provence Brut Rosé MCC is paired with an oyster enriched with homemade wasabi mayonnaise and spring onion.
Chef Guy’s pièce de résistance for the flagship Grande Provence Vintage Brut 2011, is another delightful Asian twist. By adorning the oyster with tiny yuzu pearls, made from the juice of the fragrant oriental lemon fruit, he has added a burst of refreshing citrus to uplift the complexity and rich mousse of this elegant blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
All three MCCs are crafted in the timeless French tradition using only the best quality free running juice from whole bunch pressed grapes. To create the fizz, the blended base wines undergo a second fermentation in the bottle. Once fermentation has been completed, the wine is matured on spent yeast cells, known as the lees, for an average of 13 months in the case of the Brut and Rosé MCCs, and at least five years for the Vintage Brut.
The MCC & Oysters 3-Ways Tasting is available daily from 12h00 till 17h00 at R160 per person. The oysters are shucked directly from the Grande Provence oyster tank and garnished freshly for your tasting at the oyster bar in the garden. Lovers of bubbly and oysters are welcome to linger a little longer with the Grande Provence MCC of their choice served with additional oysters.
Located in Franschhoek, the heartland of South African wine country, Grande Provence offers true South African wine heritage, exceptional food and luxury boutique accommodation. For more information visit www.grandeprovence.co.za.
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
