Creating the perfect sparkling wine and food pairing is something that has long delighted both fine-dining connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts alike. At Alvi’s Drift, we share this passion – matching our award-winning Cap Classique and sparkling wines with scrumptious dishes is certainly a favourite pastime of ours!

With the festive season just around the corner, we asked celebrated local sommelier Moses Magwaza for this top sparkling wine food pairing tips.

 

“Pairing sparkling wines with food is all about balance. You’ll want to harmonise the flavours, the sweetness and the savoury notes in both the food and the wine.” – Moses Magwaza

 

Food Pairing Basics: Understanding Sparkling Wines

 

#1 – What specific characteristics of sparkling wines make them so versatile in food pairings, and how do these qualities enhance different types of dishes?

Sparkling wines have several characteristics that make them exceptionally versatile for food pairing. These wines’ high acidity cuts through richness and balances flavours, and all those delightful bubbles cleanse the palate while enhancing the food’s textures.

Sparkling wine’s fruitiness also complements both sweet and savoury dishes, with tannins giving the wine structure, allowing it to pair well with richer foods. The wine’s ageing process adds complexity too, bringing out nutty flavours and adding depth that enhances the overall taste experience. 

All these elements make it possible for sparkling wines to pair beautifully with a wide range of foods, from light salads to richer dishes.

 

 

#2 – How does the production method of a Cap Classique wine influence its flavour profile and food pairing potential?

The production of Cap Classique, with its signature secondary fermentation and ageing on the lees, plays a key role in shaping its distinct flavour profile. Hand-picking grapes at their peak ripeness also ensures vibrant citrus, green apple, and stone fruit flavours.

But it’s the secondary fermentation and time spent ageing on the lees that really allow flavours to develop, bringing out the toasty, brioche-like complexity that Cap Classique is known for. This process also enhances the wine’s crisp acidity, giving it a fresh, lively structure that pairs beautifully with a variety of foods, from heavier, creamy dishes to delicately flavoured seafood.

 

#3 – Can you explain the differences between brut, demi-sec, and rosé sparkling wines, and how these variations might affect food pairings?

 

Brut Sparkling Wine

Brut is the driest of the sparkling wine styles, with less than 12 g/L of sugar. Its crisp, refreshing acidity and flavour notes of citrus, green apple, and toast make it a perfect match for light dishes like citrus-dressed salads, seafood, and even simple cheese-and-cracker platters.

 

Demi-Sec Sparkling Wine

Demi-sec is sweeter, with 32-50 g/L of sugar, making it ideal for pairing with fruity desserts or savoury pastries. Expect flavours of stone fruit, honey, and floral notes. This wine goes beautifully with spicy Asian dishes and creamy cheeses like Brie and Camembert, adding a delightful flavour contrast.

 

Rosé Sparkling Wine

Rosé sparkling wines, whether dry or semi-sweet, are celebrated for their delicate fruit and floral notes, such as strawberry, raspberry, and rose petal. These wines are incredibly versatile, pairing well with dishes like grilled fish, light salads with fruit, and brunch favourites like quiche or eggs benedict. Rosé’s subtle sweetness also makes it a lovely pairing for fruit-based desserts or sorbets.

 

 

Pairing Sparkling Wine with Food: Tips & Guidelines

 

#1 – What general principles should be kept in mind when pairing sparkling wines with food?

When it comes to pairing sparkling wines with food, it’s all about balance. Take into account the wine’s age, its level of complexity, and how fruity it is. You’ll want to harmonise the sweetness and savoury notes in both the food and the wine, ensuring one doesn’t overpower the other. Never forget to match the wine’s acidity with the richness of the dish – this is key to creating a perfect pairing.

 

#2 – How important is the level of sweetness in a sparkling wine when deciding on a food pairing?

The sweetness of the sparkling wine is a big factor when it comes to food pairing, as it can really influence how well the flavours come together overall. When choosing a food and wine pairing, it’s important to think about the wine’s sweetness level and how it balances with the acidity and flavours in your dish. Getting this aspect just right can make all the difference!

 

#3 – Are there any common pairing mistakes wine enthusiasts should avoid when serving sparkling wine with a meal?

One mistake to watch out for is pairing a dry sparkling wine with a dish that is overly sweet, as this can throw the entire balance off.

Another common mistake is not paying attention to the intensity of the wine or the food. All elements should be in harmony, making sure that the sweetness, acidity, and flavours work together, rather than overpowering each other.

Another tip is to always avoid matching sweet sparkling wines with savoury or umami-rich foods.

 

 

Moses’ Sparkling Wine & Food Pairing Recommendations

 

#1 – What are your favourite dishes to pair with Alvi’s Drift Brut Cap Classique?

One of my favourite dishes to pair with Alvi’s Drift Brut Cap Classique is grilled salmon in a honey, soy, and star anise glaze with cauliflower puree, tzatziki, and sesame seeds. Another is kingklip with lemon, dill, and a white-wine caper sauce. 

In these pairings, the Brut Cap Classique’s crisp acidity bursts onto the palate with a lovely, creamy texture, delivering superb mid-palate depth with an elegant, clean-lime finish. The delicious sensation of bubbles on the palate definitely enhances the overall experience, delivering that lingering, lemony aftertaste that goes so well with fish dishes.

 

#2 – Which Alvi’s Drift sparkling or Cap Classique wine would you recommend serving with red meat and boerewors at a braai, and why?

For a braai, I’d recommend another Cap Classique – Alvi’s Drift Brut Nature. It has such an intense and complex nose, with aromas of baked brioche and lemon cream, along with subtle hints of walnut and nougat.

This wine’s vibrant bubbles and fresh acidity make it the perfect match for fatty meats, as it cuts through the richness, while the nuttiness beautifully complements the smokiness of the braai.

 

#3 – What makes the pairing of sparkling wine and seafood, such as oysters or prawns, so successful?

The magic of pairing sparkling wine with seafood comes down to the wine’s crisp acidity. This style of wine does a wonderful job of cutting through the richness of the seafood, while keeping the flavours balanced and fresh. Plus, the sparkling wine’s subtle notes won’t overpower those delicate seafood flavours. Many sparkling wines also have lovely mineral qualities, which really complement those briny, ocean-fresh flavours.

 

Discover the Joys of Sparkling Wine Pairing

 

From seafood to sweet treats, and even a classic South African braai, sparkling wine’s versatility opens up a world of delicious pairing possibilities. With Moses Magwaza’s expert tips, some fine fare, and a great bottle of bubbly, you can elevate every meal – and every moment – into something truly unforgettable.

 

Explore Our Award-Winning Cap Classique & Sparkling Wines

Discover our full range of internationally acclaimed sparkling and Cap Classique wines in our online shop. Cheers to perfect pairings!