Graham Beck Cuvée Clive Shines in London's Battle of the Bubbles
At this year's London Wine Fair, the world's finest sparkling wines gathered for the prestigious Battle of the Bubbles - and we're thrilled to announce that our Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2019 claimed its place among the top sparkling wines globally. This recognition reinforces our position as South Africa's leading producer of world-class Cap Classique.



What is the Battle of the Bubbles?
The Battle of the Bubbles is London Wine Fair's definitive sparkling wine competition, designed to showcase how closely international bottle-fermented sparkling wines now rival the great Champagne houses. This year's event featured 26 carefully selected wines tasted blind by 16 distinguished UK wine professionals, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and leading wine journalists.

Each tasting paired one Champagne against one international sparkling wine, creating 13 head-to-head comparisons under rigorous examination conditions. Wines were scored out of 100, with additional consideration given to value through price-per-point analysis.



Which sparkling wines ranked top in 2025?
The competition crowned England's 2010 Nyetimber 1086 as the highest-scoring wine overall, while Champagne's 2013 Dom Pérignon led the French contingent. However, the story of 2025 was the remarkable quality across all categories, with international sparkling wines demonstrating exceptional refinement.

Our Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2019 proudly secured a place in the top 10, standing alongside legendary names like Krug Grande Cuvée, Champagne Taittinger 'Comtes de Champagne' and Bollinger R.D. As the only Southern Hemisphere wine to achieve this distinction, Cuvée Clive demonstrated that South African sparkling wine has earned its place among the world's elite.



What makes Cuvée Clive our Icon?
Cuvée Clive represents the very pinnacle of our craft - our most prestigious Cap Classique and a six-time Cap Classique of the Year winner. The crown jewel of our Icon Collection, this extraordinary cuvée is crafted only in exceptional vintages as a testament to time, terroir, and our pursuit of the perfect bubble.

The 2019 release exemplifies our commitment to excellence, crafted from 81% Chardonnay and 19% Pinot Noir sourced from our limestone-rich Robertson vineyards and a select Durbanville block planted on Table Mountain sandstone. After five years and seven months on the lees, it develops remarkable complexity and finesse.

In the glass, expect vibrant aromas of white peach, fresh pears and Granny Smith apples, complemented by undertones of roasted nuts and brioche. The palate delivers crisp grapefruit, lemon and stone fruit flavours, carried by pin-prick bubbles and fresh acidity that leads to a lingering, mouth-watering finish.

As the best sparkling wine South Africa has to offer, this prestigious cuvée cements our reputation for creating Cap Classique that rivals the world's finest.



The Future of Cap Classique on the Global Stage
The London Wine Fair Battle of the Bubbles confirms what we've long believed: that Cap Classique deserves recognition alongside the world's greatest sparkling wines. As competition judge Sarah Abbott MW observed, "The sparkling wine category is in a very exciting place, thanks to this diversity of style and superb quality."

At the House of Graham Beck, we've dedicated over four decades to perfecting our craft and elevating South African sparkling wine on the international stage. Recognition like this motivates us to continue pushing boundaries, knowing that each bottle of Graham Beck carries the potential to surprise and delight wine lovers worldwide.