6 April 2009
Pinotage: South Africa’s Red Grape Varietal
Posted by sharon under: WINE TALK .
PINOTAGE WINE TASTING WITH GARY VAYNERCHUK
Click here to view the video
Pinotage - A local cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (Hermitage), created by Professor Abraham Perold in 1925, this variety combines the noble characteristics of the former with the reliability of the latter. Unique to South Africa, it can produce complex and fruity wines with age but is also often very drinkable when young. With great strides made in the making of Pinotage, South Africa’s own variety is rapidly gaining increasing acceptance and finding favour worldwide both as a varietal bottling and in blends. The ‘Cape blend’ is an evolving term which generally denotes a red blend with Pinotage as a component making up 30 to 70 percent of the wine.
Cinsaut - Previously known as Hermitage. A strong bearer and very versatile variety - it can be used to blend with Cabernet, to produce reasonably priced early drinking wines, or as quality wine for brandy distilling. It is also often used for rosé, port and jerepigo wines. Once South Africa’s most widely planted red varietal, the vineyard area has decreased as it has been replaced by more noble varieties.
Source: Wines of South Africa
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