The two Veritas Gold medals were awarded to Pongrácz, the Best Brut Non-vintage for the second consecutive year at the 2011 Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge, and the singularly noble flagship, Desiderius Pongrácz 2003, the top performing Cap Classique at the prestigious 2011 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.
Desiderius Pongrácz 2003 flaunts a white-golden hue with a faint grey-pink tinge that complements its aroma of precious, delicate spices and wonderful crisp foaming mousse. This elegant blend of the classic Champagne varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot noir, is set apart by its distinctive fluted bottle. Rich complexity and a classic yeasty character imparted over time during prolonged maturation on the lees for 7 years, are completed by a wonderful foaming mousse with a persistent bead. As the wine matures it tends to develop a gorgeous creamy, nutty character on the nose and a full-bodied texture which lasts for ages on the palate.
The second Veritas Gold medallist, the non-vintage Pongrácz, is a timeless Cap Classique also composed of Chardonnay and Pinot. It has great complexity and delicate yeasty tones, layered with toast and ripe fruit imparting a wonderful foamy mouthful of black fruit flavours with a long, lingering finish.
“This year has been phenomenal for us and what better way to celebrate the coming of age of our Cap Classique, than with a string of awards. Desiderius Pongrácz would have been proud!’ says triumphant winemaker Elunda Basson of the Hungarian nobleman whose tenacity and wit served as the inspiration and whose life’s work in viticulture, establishing vineyards of Pinot noir and Chardonnay in the Stellenbosch winelands, made it all possible.
Pongrácz sells at approximately R90 in leading outlets, whilst the signature Desiderius Pongrácz 2003 is available at selected boutique wine stores at around R235 per bottle.
