
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 Noir3880
- Other Red Blends2724
- Cabernet Sauvignon2545
- Bordeaux Red Blends2068
- Syrah/Shiraz1644
- Rhône Blends1343
- Sangiovese1066
- Merlot855
- Nebbiolo855
- Tempranillo817
- Zinfandel650
- Other Red Wine602
- Malbec519
- Cabernet Franc314
- Grenache298
- Barbera272
- Petite Sirah208
- Tuscan Blends164
- Gamay162
- Mourvedre111
- Carmenere102
- Dolcetto89
- Primitivo85
- Pinotage80
- Aglianico62
- Montepulciano61
- Nero d'Avola61
- Blaufrankisch35
- Negroamaro33
- Petit Verdot32
- Sagrantino32
- Lagrein28
- Mencia27
- Bonarda22
- Teroldego21
- Refosco19
- Carignan18
- Touriga Nacional17
- Zweigelt14
- St. Laurent13
- Tannat11
- Grignolino7
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Agiorgitiko5
- Bobal5
- Corvina4
- Pinot Meunier4
- Xinomavro4
- Alicante Bouschet3
- Trousseau3
- Gaglioppo2
- Cinsault1
- Lambrusco1
- Valdiguie1
- Mondeuse1
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Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
- RP
- WS
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MAN Family Wines Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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Fairview Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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Painted Wolf Guillermo Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
- WE
- RP
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Robertson Limited Release Phanto Ridge Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
- WE
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Fort Ross Vineyard Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
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Southern Right Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
- W&S
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Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Kumkani Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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DeWaal Wines Top of the Hill Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate Carpe Diem Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
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Arra Vineyards Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Swartland Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Swartland, South Africa
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Pulpit Rock Winery Swartland Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Swartland, South Africa
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Painted Wolf The Black Pack Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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Bolland Cellar Five Climates Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
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Middelvlei Wines Free-Run Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Springfontein Wine Estate Terroir Selection Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Walker Bay, South Africa
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Lyngrove Wines Collection Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Rijk's Private Cellar Touch of Oak Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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DuToitskloof Wines Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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Golden Kaan Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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Two Oceans Pinotage 2010Pinotage from South Africa
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M'hudi Wines Pinotage 2010Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa