The KWV Laborie wine estate in Paarl, South Africa, has been crowned the king of the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, a prestigious competition celebrating South Africa's naturally fermented sparkling wines. Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020 took home the top honor, Best Wine at the Show, marking the estate's third win in the competition's 25-year history, following previous victories in 2005 and 2023.
The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, established in 2002, is an annual competition that showcases South Africa's Methode Cap Classique wines. This year's event, held on September 29, 2026, at La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek, celebrated 25 years of promoting quality and excellence in South Africa's internationally recognized sparkling wine category. The competition received 138 entries in various categories, including brut blends, Blanc de Blancs, Nectar, Rosé, Blanc de Noir, and Extended Ageing.
The awards ceremony featured a culinary experience crafted by executive chef Peter Duncan, with each course paired with a selection of sparkling wines. The menu included dishes such as suckling pig, seafood, and beef, all carefully prepared to complement the wines. The event was attended by industry professionals, including Joaquim Sá, CEO of Amorim South Africa, and Pieter Ferreira, chairman of the Cap Classique Producers Association.
Amorim Cork, a key sponsor of the competition, emphasized its commitment to the Cap Classique category, which has a long history dating back to the 17th century. According to António Amorim, the company's involvement in the category goes beyond a mere sponsorship, as it is deeply rooted in the company's heritage and expertise in cork production.
The competition's results saw Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020 take home the top honor, along with other notable winners in various categories. Domaine des Dieux Rose of Sharon Rosé 2017 and Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut 2021 were also among the winners, showcasing the diversity and quality of South Africa's sparkling wine producers.
The Cap Classique category has gained international recognition as a serious challenger to French champagne, thanks to the consistent quality of South African sparkling wines. According to Amorim, while global wine volumes have declined in recent years, the sparkling wine category has remained resilient, with around 3.5 billion bottles sold worldwide.
As the Cap Classique category continues to grow and evolve, producers are looking forward to the next 25 years, with a focus on innovation, quality, and storytelling. Pieter Ferreira, chairman of the Cap Classique Producers Association, expressed his gratitude to Amorim for their unwavering support and emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the industry.
Key points
- KWV Laborie's Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020 won the top honor at the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, marking its third win in 25 years.
- The competition celebrated 25 years of promoting quality and excellence in South Africa's sparkling wine category.
- The Cap Classique category has gained international recognition as a serious challenger to French champagne.
