Summertime sparkle

South African MCC is putting the fizz back in sparkling wine. Champagne has long been considered upmarket if it hails from one tiny corner of France, but local Methode Cap Classique is competing in the big leagues, with world-class bottles of the celebratory drink, each with its own unique terroir and nuance.

OPEN has a long-standing partnership with Wildekrans Wine Estate and, after continuously winning awards for their MCC at various food and wine shows around the country, it’s clear they’re just one of many incredible MCC producers in South Africa.

Often considered the lowly step-sister of ‘real’ champagne, MCC embodies the classic art of Cape winemaking and tradition of bottle-fermenting in the Cape region. It embodies the joie de vive of the region in which it’s made and deserves as much praise as its French counterpart.

Easy sipping

With the rise in popularity and appreciation of MCC, South Africans are also reconsidering the way they drink the deliciously fizzy drink. Traditionally, MCC and champagne were considered celebratory drinks, the pop of the cork marking a wedding, an engagement or an anniversary. But a new generation of wine-lovers is following the European example of how better to consume MCC – every day.

The new approach to MCC drinking is based on the belief that you don’t need a special occasion to drink a glass of something cold, crisp and delicious. It’s founded on the idea that you should always have a bottle of MCC in your fridge because life is too fabulous not to be celebrated every day. Our increasingly frantic lives mean we’re savouring special moments in our own homes more often, and a glass of MCC fits perfectly with this new tradition.

The increased consumption of MCC can also be attributed to the fact that South Africans have realised that it’s the perfect summertime drink – drier varietals are crisp and light, and the perfect accompaniment for fresh, vibrant, flavourful food.

Food focus

The fundamental shift in the way people consume MCC and champagne is rooted in various other trends – the rise of the staycation and eating in, as well as food-focused living. Consumer behaviour has become distinctly more indulgent, based on the mantra that because our day-to-day lives are so full and busy, we should relish small moments of celebration, more often.

The MCC market is experiencing a fabulously cyclical growth pattern. Increased support and interest from consumers encourages South African wineries to see the value in producing MCC and, as a result, inspires them to improve the quality of MCC and increase the volumes of their production. If it’s local, it’s delicious and it’s all about celebration, fine food and fabulous drinks, count us in.