Graham Beck Sparkling Wine
South African Cap Classique, poured at Mandela's 1994 inauguration.
The story behind Graham Beck
Graham Beck founded the estate in 1983 on Madeba, a flood-damaged farm in the Robertson Valley of the Western Cape. He wanted a sparkling wine that could stand beside Champagne, and he picked Robertson for a reason: limestone soils and sharp night-time temperature drops that mirror the Champagne region. The flagship Brut NV was poured at Nelson Mandela's 1994 presidential inauguration, and again for Barack Obama's 2008 victory.
In 2016 the house stopped making still wine entirely, under Graham's son Antony Beck and winemaker Pieter Ferreira, known around the cellar as Mr. Bubbles. Every bottle now is Methode Cap Classique, the traditional method done in South Africa. We have carried Graham Beck for years and the consistency has never slipped.
Explore the Graham Beck range
Five expressions reach us from Robertson, and the range runs from the everyday Brut to the tete de cuvee. Here is how they line up.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Beck Brut 750mL | Methode Cap Classique Brut | Approx. 12% ABV | Green apple, brioche, fine bead; the house workhorse |
| Graham Beck Blanc De Blanc 750mL | Methode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs | Approx. 12% ABV | Chardonnay only; citrus, almond, lean and racy |
| Graham Beck Brut Rose 750mL | Methode Cap Classique Rose | Approx. 12% ABV | Pinotage and Chardonnay; strawberry, red currant |
| Graham Beck The William 750mL | Methode Cap Classique Prestige Cuvee | Approx. 12% ABV | Extended lees aging; toast, hazelnut, creamy depth |
| Graham Beck Brut 1.5L | Methode Cap Classique Brut, large format | Approx. 12% ABV | Same Brut in magnum; slower aging, party format |
Which Graham Beck is right for you?
The Brut 750mL sits at $19.99, and that is the bottle most of our customers leave with. Step up to the Blanc de Blanc at $29.99 for Chardonnay purity and a tighter mousse. The William is $19.98 when we have it, a prestige cuvee at a price that does not match its ambition. The Brut 1.5L runs $39.99 and the Brut Rose $14.99, though both come and go on allocation. Call the Commack store at (631) 343-7200 to check stock before you drive over.
$19.99 gets you traditional method bubbles without saving it for an occasion.
Blanc de Blancs tension and citrus for anyone who drinks Champagne for the acidity.
A magnum pours the toast line fast and looks generous on the table.