South Africa gets first branded fizz bar

Gorgeous by Graham Beck, the first brand-exclusive sparkling wine bar in South Africa, has opened its doors at Steenberg Vineyards in Constantia.

Taking its name from the favoured term of endearment of South African sparkling wine pioneer, the late Graham Beck, Gorgeous features the full selection of Beck’s Méthode Cap Classique wines.

Decked out with wallpaper by Vivienne Westwood and Tom Dixon light fixtures, canapés come courtesy of executive chef Garth Almazan of the winery’s Catharina’s restaurant.

Among the dishes created to complement the sparking wines are Saldanha Bay oysters, poached tiger prawns and asparagus and goat’s cheese risotto croquettes.

Gorgeous will only offer Beck’s sparkling wines, either by the bottle or glass, with prices starting at SAR40 per flute and SAR200 per bottle.

On show will be the brut NV, rosé NV, demi sec NV, vintage blanc de blancs, vintage rosé and the iconic Cap Classique flagship, Cuvée Clive.

The bar will be open seven days a week and won’t take reservations.

Gorgeous is the latest addition to the Steenberg estate, formerly owned by Beck, which also features a hotel, spa, 18-hole golf course, Bistro Sixteen82, and Catharina’s restaurant.

Beck died in July 2010 aged 80. Entering the wine business in 1983, he was a constant champion of Méthode Cap Classique sparking wines, which he made and sold through his estate, Graham Beck Wines.

Beck bought Steenberg Vineyards through his Kangra Group in 2005.