Celebrate Cap Classique Day!

On September 1, South Africa comes together to celebrate Cap Classique Day, a sparkling tribute to the country’s proudly crafted sparkling wine made in the traditional French method. Known for their elegance, fine bubbles, and celebratory character, Cap Classique have become a cornerstone of South African winemaking, enjoyed both locally and abroad.

One of the most theatrical traditions linked to sparkling wine is sabrage—the centuries-old technique of opening a bottle with a swift stroke of a saber. Rooted in Napoleonic history, when victorious cavalry officers celebrated their triumphs by striking bottles open, sabrage has since become a symbol of glamour and festivity.

But what if you don’t own a saber? In a special video demonstration, watch here, Steyn Fullard, Marketing Manager of Weltevrede Wine Estate, shows how this age-old ritual can be recreated at home using everyday objects. With the right technique and a steady hand, you too can bring a touch of theatre to your Cap Classique celebration.

Adding to the sparkle of this year’s festivities is the acclaimed Philip Jonker Cap Classique Collection from Weltevrede. Named after the estate’s winemaker, the collection captures the finesse and artistry that define South Africa’s sparkling wines. From the crisp and vibrant styles perfect for summer sipping, to the more complex, mature expressions ideal for a celebratory dinner, the range demonstrates just how versatile and world-class Cap Classique can be.

This Cap Classique Day, why not mark the occasion with both tradition and innovation? Whether you open your bottle with a gentle twist, a daring sabrage, or while enjoying a Philip Jonker Cap Classique from Weltevrede, raise your glass high in honour of South Africa’s sparkling excellence.

𝐷𝐼𝑆𝐶𝐿𝐴𝐼𝑀𝐸𝑅: When performing a sabrage: 𝐸𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒. 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑎𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑘𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙, 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠. 𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑔𝑜 𝑓𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒. 𝐾𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 after 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒.

𝑂𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑘.