In our search for the finest grapes, we carefully select vineyards that express unique terroir characteristics.
We blend fruit from these different terroirs to create the distinctive Le Lude Réserve style.
Our grapes are hand harvested in the early morning for freshness, using shallow picking crates to prevent berry bruising. They are transported in refrigerated trucks to our Franschhoek cellar, and packed in a cold room to reach5°C before pressing starts.
The juice is settled for three days before it is racked off the sediment. The clean juice is inoculated with yeast and undergoes a cool fermentation. No lees contact is given after fermentation, and malolactic fermentation is prevented. Continuous blending trials and tastings with our final still base wines determine our Brut Réserve style. Careful consideration is made to produce an elegant wine with structure and length.
The Le Lude Réserve range undergoes secondary fermentation under crown cap in bottle, and aged Sur Lie, on the lees, in our dark, temperature-controlled cellar for a minimum of 36 months before being disgorged. At disgorgement, a specific dosage of sugar is added to balance the palate of the wine.
Our Cap Classique is aged for a further four months under cork before being released.