In response to market demands First Cape have recently produced a range of reduced alcohol wines under the Café Collection sub-brand. The lowest alcohol varieties include this sparkling white wine with an alcoholic content of just 5.5%.
First Cape – Wines and Heritage
First Cape is a thoroughly modern wine producer and specialises in bringing export grade wines from South Africa to the UK. The producer consists of over 200 growers formed into 5 co-operatives. The producer manufactures a wide range of wines from simple quaffing red and white wines, to single varietal bottles.
First Cape’s latest addition to the range is its Café Collection, a sub-brand aimed at those seeking a low alcohol variety of wine. The Café Collection wines give no indication as to their specific point of origin, or the varietals of grape used in the mix. The unique selling point of the wine would appear to be the sole consideration of the low alcohol content. At just 5.5% one may consider that a whole bottle contains less alcohol than just two pints of strong continental larger.
First Cape Café Collection Sparking White – Tasting Notes
- Price - £3.99 from Tesco on this occasion
- Presentation – The wine is presented in a standard green Champagne style bottle and capped with an unbranded cage and mushroom cork. The bottle is inelegant and has a bit of a cheap feel about it, more party plonk than serious sparkler.
- Appearance – The wine has a light golden yellow colour. The wine produces surprisingly small bubbles however, the bubbles tend to form a “jet” in the middle of the glass, as opposed to elegant streams around the edge of the glass.
- Nose – There is little on the nose, a little green apple and some light citrus perhaps.
- Palate – The palate is slightly sweet and relatively flavourless. There is a slight hint of oranges and lemons but little else. The wine is labels as brut however, there is a distinct lack of dryness on the palate.
- Summary – This is not really a great sparkling wine, there is relatively little by the way of either a nose or flavour on the palate. The one saving grace of the wine may be its low alcohol level at just 5.5%. This may make the wine ideal for a picnic or for sharing with those who wish to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Otherwise there is little reason to recommend this wine.
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Frank Smith - Frank Smith currently works as an full time industry analyst for a well known construction company in Lincolnshire. In his spare time, ...
