MCC is bottle-fermented sparkling wine. Same idea as Champagne, Cape name, different price.
Cap Classique is bottle-fermented sparkling wine. Robertson makes a lot of it. The method is the same idea as Champagne. The name on the label is not.
You'll see everything from a light blanc de blancs to a vintage bottle that has spent years on its lees. The method is the part worth knowing.
MCC stands for Méthode Cap Classique, South Africa's term for sparkling wines made using the traditional champagne method. The term was adopted in 1992 after a legal agreement with France regarding the use of the word "Champagne."
While using the same production method, South African MCCs offer distinct characteristics:
Made exclusively from white grapes, typically Chardonnay. These MCCs are elegant, citrus-driven, and age beautifully.
Made from black grapes (typically Pinot Noir, Pinotage, or Pinot Meunier), producing wines with more body and structure.
Pink sparkling wines with vibrant fruit character and elegant structure.
Made from grapes from a single exceptional vintage, aged longer for increased complexity.
The most popular white grape for MCC production, providing elegance, acidity, and aging potential.
Adds body, structure, and red fruit complexity to blends or standalone Blanc de Noirs.
Uniquely South African, adding texture, honey notes, and distinctive character to MCCs.
Sometimes used in Blanc de Noirs or Rosé MCCs, adding unique South African character.
Provides fruitiness and aromatic complexity in blends.
Known as the "Bubbly Capital" of South Africa, with limestone-rich soils ideal for MCC production.
Cool-climate valley producing elegant, refined MCCs with excellent acidity.
Diverse terroir creates complex, structured MCCs with aging potential.
Cool coastal regions producing Burgundian-style Chardonnay-based MCCs.
High-altitude, cool-climate region creating crisp, mineral-driven sparkling wines.
CO2 is injected into the wine, creating a more affordable option with larger, less persistent bubbles.
Secondary fermentation occurs in pressurized tanks rather than bottles. Fresh, fruity style.
Sweet, aromatic sparkling wines popular for celebrations and desserts.
MCC sweetness is indicated on the label:
Ideal: 6-8°C for non-vintage, 8-10°C for vintage and prestige cuvées
Recommended: Tulip-shaped champagne flute or white wine glass (better for aroma)
Avoid: Wide coupe glasses that dissipate bubbles quickly
Store horizontally in a cool, dark place. Most MCCs are ready to drink upon release, but vintage MCCs can age 5-10+ years.
Visit estates and experience exceptional sparkling wines
Explore Wine Fly MapHow the wine is made, and what the main styles taste like.
See the vineyards on the map.