Laborie’s MCC Blanc de Blancs 2010 has been chosen
by SAA as its MCC of choice, to be served exclusively on board its worldwide
fleet of aircraft in 2015. This multi-award winning MCC will be served in
Business Class on all SAA domestic, regional and international flights.
South African wine producers submitted over 800
wines for consideration by an expert panel of 12 judges who then whittled the
selection down to a mere 60 wines which are then chosen for on- board service.
“The annual wine selection is one of SAA’s most
hallowed traditions and one that we—and the industry—take seriously. SAA is a
showcase for South Africa on many fronts, not least of them our excellent local
wines,” says Bongi Sodladla, SAA Senior Food & Beverage Manager and Sommelier,
who leads the process.
This award crowns a stellar year for Laborie, which
is fast becoming recognized as a producer-of-note of top quality MCC’s in South
Africa.
The 2010 Blanc de Blancs, in particular, has been
bringing home the medals. In 2014 it won the top MCC slot at the Amorim MCC
Challenge for Best in Class Blanc de Blancs and was the only MCC to take home a
Double Gold at this year’s Veritas Awards. In addition, the Laborie Brut 2010 won
the Best MCC award at the Paarl Wine Challenge in August.
“We’ve developed winning styles of wines that appeal
to a broad base of consumers, and that’s why judges tend to favour them.” says
Johann Fourie, Chief Winemaker at KWV. Hinting at some of the techniques used
by his wine team in producing top quality wines, he commented; “We are careful
in our grape component and harvesting strategy. We also adopt some winemaking
techniques such as cooling the grapes before processing, bunch sorting and pH
management at pressing.”
The results are a cleaner, more fruit driven,
elegant style with acid freshness and finesse.
Laborie winemaker, Kobus van der Merwe adds, “People
love our Laborie Blanc de Blanc for many reasons. The refreshing fruit note is
one of them, but also the fine mousse. This 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend
is a fresh, zesty, yeasty wine with a creaminess that many people really like
and it’s great value at R85.”
The judges for the SAA tasting panel in 2014 were;
Bongi Sodladla
Sandra Lotz
Danielle le Roux
Tatiana Marcetteau
Miguel Chan
Gregory Mutambe
Andrea Freeborough
Tariro Masayiti
John Salvi MW
Lyn Woodward
Nomonde Kubheka
The tastings were coordinated by Bennie Howard.
About
Laborie
Laborie Farm first began making wines in 1698, and
is one of the oldest operational wine farms in South Africa. Situated under the
iconic Paarl Rock, Laborie produces a range of award winning MCC’s, wines, an
estate brandy and a unique fortified Pinotage dessert wine.
Visitors can stay overnight in luxurious 4-star
accommodation and enjoy excellent seasonal and locally sourced food at Harvest
Restaurant.
For more information, visit www.laboriewines.co.za.
Alternatively, phone 021 807 3390 or email
