Pinotage(Pee-noh-TAHJ)
South Africa Creation
Pinotage is all
South
Africa. A crossing between
Pinot
Noir and Cinsaut in the early 1900's created this national variety and the
South Africans have worked for decades to tame the grape. Luckily, winemakers discovered
how to turn this variety into high-quality wine and their results are delicious.
Notable Facts
Pinotage is a hardy, rustic grape, with gamey and smoky mixing with wild berry
flavors. The styles of wine can differ, depending on the winemaker's choices
of fermentation temperature and oak. Almost always a deep, dark color, it can
be an easy-drinking wine with upfront wild berry flavors, or it can lean towards
smoky, musty undertones with firmer tannins. Both styles are quite good - particularly
paired with some tasty barbeque. Get to know the producer to find out which
style you prefer.
Summing it up
Successful Sites: South Africa
Common Descriptors:
smoky, wild berry, gamey
