
Pinotage
Learn about Pinotage — taste profile, popular regions and more …
A distinctively earthy and rustic variety, Pinotage is South Africa’s signature grape. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created, surprisingly, a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents. Today Pinotage is a popular South African export both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. It is grown very minimally outside of South Africa.
Tasting Notes for Pinotage
Pinotage is a dry, red wine with an unmistakable bouquet. Common descriptors include tobacco, smoke, tar, bacon, licorice, hoisin sauce and the dark fruits of plum and blackberry. The flavors are bold, and tannins are firm but ripe—in fact, many Pinotage wines bear more resemblance to Australian Shiraz than to Pinot Noir.
Perfect Food Pairings for Pinotage
For a wine this powerful, food should be equally bold, and gets bonus points for mirroring Pinotage’s sweet and sour flavors. Classic smoky South African braai (barbecue) is the most obvious match, while grilled curry sausage, lamb biryani or richly spiced beef stew would be equally welcome.
Sommelier Secrets for Pinotage
The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau: The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage. The somewhat less appealing “Herminoir” was also considered.
Notable Regions
- Pinot Noir3600
- Other Red Blends2345
- Cabernet Sauvignon2276
- Bordeaux Red Blends1752
- Syrah/Shiraz1472
- Rhône Blends1130
- Tempranillo789
- Merlot756
- Sangiovese737
- Nebbiolo660
- Zinfandel619
- Other Red Wine518
- Malbec416
- Grenache247
- Cabernet Franc244
- Barbera228
- Petite Sirah194
- Gamay160
- Tuscan Blends141
- Carmenere96
- Mourvedre79
- Pinotage74
- Dolcetto69
- Montepulciano56
- Aglianico54
- Primitivo52
- Nero d'Avola48
- Blaufrankisch41
- Sagrantino35
- Lagrein26
- Petit Verdot26
- Mencia23
- Bonarda22
- Refosco21
- Negroamaro19
- Teroldego17
- Zweigelt17
- Touriga Nacional16
- St. Laurent16
- Carignan15
- Tannat6
- Nerello Mascalese6
- Corvina5
- Grignolino5
- Pinot Meunier3
- Bobal3
- Trousseau3
- Xinomavro3
- Cinsault2
- Agiorgitiko2
- Alicante Bouschet2
- Gaglioppo2
- Mondeuse2
- Valdiguie1
- Baga1
- Schiava1
-
Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
-
Painted Wolf Guillermo Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
- WS
-
MAN Family Wines Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
-
Fairview Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
-
Southern Right Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
- WE
-
Spice Route Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
- WE
-
Stanford Hills Estate Jacksons Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Walker Bay, South Africa
-
Graham Beck Robertson Pinno Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Robertson, South Africa
-
Lyngrove Wines Collection Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
-
Anura Vineyards Private Cellar Reserve Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
-
Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
-
Vriesenhof Vineyards Vineyards Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
-
Rhebokskloof Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
-
Knorhoek Wines Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
-
Cloof Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
-
Moonstone Crossing Winery John Bree Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
-
Fort Simon Estate Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
-
Bon Cap Organic Wine & Guestfarm The Ruins Organic Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Robertson, South Africa
-
DuToitskloof Wines Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
-
Domaine Brahms Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
-
Rijk's Private Cellar Reserve Pinotage 2009Pinotage from South Africa
-
Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate Carpe Diem Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
-
Loma Prieta Winery Amorosa Vineyard Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Lodi, California
-
DeWaal Wines Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
-
Dornier Wines Pinotage 2009Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa