Wijde Sparkling Gift Set

Varietals: 53% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir, and 1% Pinot Meunier 

Tasting Notes: Brilliant pale-straw color with fine, persistent streams of bubbles that form a delicate mousse. The extended lees aging lends a slightly golden glint to the rim. On the nose, it is expressive and layered. The first impression is that of standing outside a Parisian bakery in the morning, with wafts of toasted baguette, almond meal, and warm pastry crumb floating through the air. As the aroma evolves, the fruit blooms with notes of Meyer lemon, yellow apples, and chamomile. On the palate, the mousse is fine and creamy and coats the palate without heaviness. Bright, crystalline acidity delivers tension and keeps the wine lifted. The flavors of Bartlett pear, parmesan rind, and chalky minerality all fill the mouth. The finish lingers for an extended time and leaves the flavor of butter shortbread on the palate.

More Information: A classic Champagne-style blend of 53% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir, and 1% Pinot Meunier, all grapes were hand-picked in the cool, early morning and pressed as whole bunches. Only free run juice was used, and alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. Secondary fermentation was done in the bottle, with ten months of ageing on the fine lees. The Chardonnay grapes came from the Robertson area, known for its limestone-rich soils; the Pinot Noir, which was planted in the cooler sites of False Bay, displayed particularly small berries, due to a quite cool October and November growing season.