
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 Noir4413
- Other Red Blends2985
- Cabernet Sauvignon2441
- Bordeaux Red Blends1850
- Syrah/Shiraz1477
- Rhône Blends1407
- Sangiovese983
- Merlot862
- Nebbiolo832
- Tempranillo827
- Other Red Wine724
- Zinfandel722
- Malbec600
- Cabernet Franc347
- Grenache342
- Barbera332
- Gamay251
- Tuscan Blends204
- Petite Sirah195
- Carmenere124
- Mourvedre113
- Dolcetto112
- Primitivo108
- Pinotage97
- Montepulciano82
- Nero d'Avola73
- Blaufrankisch58
- Aglianico57
- Petit Verdot51
- Lagrein38
- Negroamaro38
- Mencia34
- Zweigelt30
- Carignan26
- Refosco26
- Bonarda23
- Sagrantino23
- St. Laurent19
- Touriga Nacional18
- Teroldego18
- Tannat13
- Agiorgitiko10
- Trousseau10
- Bobal9
- Corvina8
- Grignolino7
- Xinomavro7
- Nerello Mascalese5
- Pinot Meunier4
- Lambrusco3
- Gaglioppo3
- Mondeuse3
- Valdiguie2
- Schiava2
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Baga1
- Poulsard1
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Fleur du Cap Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Painted Wolf Guillermo Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
- JS
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Warwick Estate Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
- WS
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Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Fort Ross Vineyard Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WW
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Fairview Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Knorhoek Wines Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Escapade Winery Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Rijk's Private Cellar Reserve Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Backsberg Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
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M'hudi Wines Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Camberley Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Allee Bleue Allee Bleue Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Riebeek Cellars Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Swartland, South Africa
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Painted Wolf The Black Pack Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Springfontein Wine Estate Terroir Selection Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Walker Bay, South Africa
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Bolland Cellar Cappupino Ccinotage Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
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Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Avondale Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Paarl, South Africa
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The Winery of Good Hope Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Wildekrans Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Walker Bay, South Africa
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Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2011Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Waterkloof False Bay Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa
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Spier Signature Pinotage 2011Pinotage from South Africa