Love is …
Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017

Remember the Love Is … comic strip created by the late New Zealand cartoonist Kim Casali in the 60’s? These famous cartoons originated from a series of Love notes that Kim drew for her future husband, Roberto, and it stole the hearts of young lovers’ way into the ’90s. Nowadays, romance is boxed into smartphone screens and synoptic declarations of Love like URAQT – I suppose which is 2G2B4G. But, YOLO, and for that reason, I’d rather spend my time SOCC (now there is a new one not listed on the internet’s ridiculously long list of texting abbreviations) – Sipping On Cap Classique.

So, if you celebrate Valentine’s Day, #celebratewhatmatters in person with that special someone. If you are not bothered with Valentine’s Day, celebrate Cap Classique and fall in Love with the Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017.



Graham Beck is recognized as one of the foremost specialist Cap Classique producers with superior elegance, quality, utmost sophistication, and world-class appeal.



It is a pioneering first for South Africa, whereby both varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, were whole bunch pressed together, producing the loved and elegant award-winning Graham Beck Pinot Noir Vintage Rosé



Graham Beck started their 2022 night harvest on 17 January 2022. Its benefits include cooler temperatures, better aroma and flavour concentration and energy efficiency in the cellar.

News!

Graham Beck has announced the appointment of Pierre de Klerk as Cellar Master with effect from 1 January this year. De Klerk previously held the title of Winemaker at Graham Beck and succeeds industry icon Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira who is transitioning into his new position as Graham Beck’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) after a remarkable 32 years at the helm of the cellar. With an impressive track record under his belt, de Klerk joined the Graham Beck team in 2010 as winemaker and he worked under the mentorship of Ferreira for 12 years. Going forward, de Klerk will be responsible for managing the cellar team and the cellar’s annual Cap Classique production, as well as maintaining the style and consistency for which Graham Beck stands for. Ferreira officially passed the baton and presented de Klerk with a bottle of Blanc de Blancs 1991: the maiden Graham Beck vintage. He christened this bottle ‘The Perpetual.’

MATCHMAKING THE GRAHAM BECK PINOT NOIR ROSE 2017 WITH LEMON-THYME SALMON, WATERMELON, BASIL, AND FETA SALAD AND TURKISH DELIGHT

When it comes to pairing this Cap Classique Vintage Rose, colour is a vital instrument to help you eat and drink with your eyes. Not only will the similar colours on your plate look inviting, it also adds balance and surprise, tying it all together.
Salmon is a perfect fit for the Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017. The Pinot Noir adds bold red fruit flavours that balance the natural fattiness and richness of the salmon. The bubbly glides over the luxurious texture of the fish.
This is a vintage rose, so lots of character built into it over time. The nougat character meets the velvety texture of the salmon.
Chardonnay in the blend contributes to the creamy complexity of the wine, and this is where a lemon dill curing of the salmon adds a savoury brightness highlighting the lemony acidity.
Enjoying watermelon and ice-cold Cap Classique is like drinking in summer. I cannot think of anything better to quench your thirst while making it look super classy. Add some feta to lift the red fruit and basil for freshness
As with nougat, the sugar in Turkish delight can create a frothy texture in your mouth that diminishes the hard work it took to create the fine mousse in the first place. Quality Turkish delight has a firmer gel and a compact consistency, especially if including nuts, that will complement the Cap Classique

Buy Wine

Our Experience

When you read this, the 2022 harvest at Graham Beck will be in full swing and the

Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 will be chilling in our fridge. With no shortcuts ever taken at Graham Beck in Robertson, they also have something new for Cap Classique lovers to enjoy. To elevate the tasting experience at Graham Beck’s cellar door with some extra popping fun, they’ve launched their Sparkle & Pop Gourmet Popcorn and Cap Classique pairing. The concept popped into the minds of the brand’s bubbly maestros, Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira and winemaker Pierre De Klerk. Together with Inemari Grobler (recipe developer, food stylist & chef from Miel + Meel), they developed a unique tasting offering for anyone who wants to pop in throughout the year. The pairings will constantly change for regular visitors to experience a different pairing every time. The ‘Sparkle & Pop’ Tasting is available at R150 per person. For bookings contact the Graham Beck Tasting Room via email at tastingroom@grahambeck.com or call 023 626 1214 to reserve your seat 24 hours in advance.

The current tasting includes the following:

Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 – served with Biltong-dusted popcorn
Graham Beck Ultra Brut 2016 – served with Bokkom-infused popcorn
Graham Beck Bliss Nectar NV – paired with Cape Malay gourmet popcorn
Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV – paired with Raspberry, Dark Chocolate & Strawberry Dust flavoured popcorn

Now let’s pop over to the Smith-Meletiou household where popping Cap Classique is a regular occasion, no less in the month of Love, focusing on the Pinot Noir Vintage Rose. This style of Cap Classique has profound depth with the luxury of bringing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes together. The Pinot Noir grapes for this Cap Classique come from unique Elgin, Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Robertson vineyards. In contrast, the Chardonnay grapes originate from their limestone-rich soils on the estate in Robertson. Only allowed to be made from Pinot Noir in Champagne, and considering the price of Pinot Noir grapes, rose Champagne is often more expensive. The point is, never underestimate the power of pink.

The Pinot Noir Rose 2017 has an exotic appeal with a voluminous bouquet of berry-almond nougat. Georgio refers to torrone, a harder Italian nougat made with pistaccio. Adding to that are aromas of watermelon and strawberry with salt specs on the palate, adding finesse.

At the end of the tasting, appreciate how the bubbly has the final say, filling the midpalate with its length of flavour. This consistency makes Graham Beck bubbly pop to the top every time.

Join the conversation by following @GrahamBeckBubbly on Facebook and Instagram. By joining the Graham Beck Society at no additional costs, you can also qualify for great benefits.