A Paarl wine estate has once again proven its sparkling wine credentials, taking home the top prize at South Africa’s premier Cap Classique competition.
KWV Laborie claimed Best Wine on Show at this year’s Amorim Cap Classique Challenge with its Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020, marking the third time the estate has won the overall title. The winery previously triumphed in 2005 and 2023, both times with its Blanc de Blancs.
The achievement comes as the competition celebrates a significant milestone. The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge marked its 25th year in 2026, establishing itself as the leading showcase for South Africa’s méthode cap classique sparkling wines since its launch in 2002.
A collaboration between Portuguese cork company Amorim and WINE Magazine, the competition has become a trusted measure of excellence across different sparkling wine styles. This year saw 138 wines compete across six categories: Brut Blends, Blanc de Blancs, Nectar, Rosé, Blanc de Noir and Extended Ageing, which features wines aged seven years and older.
Multiple wins for Hemel en Aarde producer
While Laborie dominated the Blanc de Blancs category, Hemel en Aarde producer Domaine des Dieux enjoyed a double victory. The estate won Best Brut Blend with its Claudia Brut 2021 and Best Rosé with Rose of Sharon Rosé 2017.
Krone Night Nectar Blanc de Blanc 2021 took the Nectar category trophy, while Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2015 claimed the Extended Ageing class. No trophy was given in the Blanc de Noir category this year.
The awards ceremony took place at La Petite Colombe on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate the milestone anniversary.
Sparkling wine shows resilience in tough market
Amorim Cork Chairman António Amorim used the occasion to highlight the deep connection between cork and sparkling wine, tracing it back to Dom Pérignon, who first sealed champagne bottles with cork.
“The modern cork stopper owes its existence to Dom Pérignon,” Amorim said. “That link between cork and celebration has carried through the history of Amorim, a company that has been in the cork business since 1870, present in South Africa since 1968, and running its own cork operations here since 1982.”
He noted that while global wine volumes have dropped from around 17 billion bottles to 14 billion in recent years, sparkling wine has remained steady at roughly 3,5 billion bottles.
“French champagne has softened somewhat, largely on pricing, while Prosecco and other regions have picked up the slack,” Amorim explained. “The consensus is that sparkling wine faces a decade of modest but consistent growth, making it one of the more resilient corners of the wine trade.”
Cap Classique earns global recognition
Within the global sparkling wine landscape, Amorim believes South Africa has carved out a unique position. While Champagne remains in a category of its own, he said Cap Classique is increasingly recognised as the second serious contender in the sparkling wine world.
“What sets South Africa apart isn’t a handful of standout producers but the consistency of quality across the industry as a whole,” Amorim said, crediting industry leaders like Peter Ferreira, chairman of the Cap Classique Association, and WINE Magazine for building the category from the start.
“It is a true honour for Amorim Cork to be associated with Cap Classique and we congratulate the producers on what you have achieved over the past decades and wish you the best of luck going forward, with the assurance that Amorim is there to support you all the way.”
And the winner are…
Blanc de Blancs
- Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2020 (Double Gold, Trophy Blanc de Blancs and Overall Winner)
- Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blanc 2022 (Double Gold)
- Louisvale MCC Brut NV (Gold)
- Colmant Blanc de Blancs NV (Gold)
- Pieter Ferreira Pinot Blanc 2023 (Gold)
- Babylonstoren Sprankel 2021 (Gold)
Brut Blends
- Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut 2021 (Double Gold, Trophy Brut Blends)
- Van Loveren Christina Cap Classique Brut NV (Gold)
- Colmant Brut Reserve NV (Gold)
- Alexander Vineyards Brut NV (Gold)
- Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2023 (Gold)
- Tanzanite Brut NV (Gold)
- Hidden Valley Brut 2022 (Gold)
- Paul Renè Chardonnay Brut 2022 (Gold)
- Klein Roosboom My Way Brut 2021 (Gold)
- Babylonstoren Sprankel 2020 (Gold)
- Spier Prestige Cuvée 2019 (Gold)
- Graham Beck Ultra Brut 2018 (Gold)
- Charles Fox Vintage Brut 2018 (Gold)
Rosé
- Domaine des Dieux Rose of Sharon Rosé 2017 (Double Gold, Trophy Rosé)
- Lourensford Brut Rosé 2021 (Double Gold)
- Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut Rosetta Rosé NV (Gold)
- Landskroon Cap Classique Pinot Noir Brut 2023 (Gold)
Nectar
- Krone Night Nectar Blanc de Blanc 2021 (Gold, Nectar Trophy)
Extended ageing class
- Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2015 (Double Gold, Extended Ageing Trophy)
- Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2017 (Double Gold)
- Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs 2015 (Double Gold)
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