Cultivar of the month: Pinotage

Pinotage is grape unique to South Africa. Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, created the cultivar in 1925. By creating Pinotage, Professor Perold attempted to combine the best qualities of the robust Cinsault and Pinot Noir.

Pinotage is a dark wine with great depth of colour in either a vibrant blue or purple tinge when held to light. What makes Pinotage so popular, apart from the smoothness, is the fact that is has great aging potential, developing a smoky meat complexity on the nose including strong raspberry scents and in some cases, banana. When the grape is aged in oak barrels it develops their famous chocolate and coffee flavours on the nose and palate.

Due to Pinotage’s astringent character and savoury notes it is wuite easy to pair with a variety of dishes like robust meat casseroles and rich stews. It can also be enjoyed with grilled or barbecued foods and has an affinity for lamb, especially curries.

Our Sommelier currently has a range of Pinotage on our wine list, including Kanonkop ‘Black Label’ 2014 in which you can pick up the Pinot Noir, which was used to create the cultivar in 1925. Another favourite in one of the older wines we have in our Wine Gallery, Zonnebloem Pinotage 1980, where you will pick up dried red fruit and elegant earthy notes.