Pinotage: about the variety, what and how to drink, how to choose + 10 brands

1) Briefly about the variety
2) What's the trick
3) With what and how to drink pinotage wine
4) How to choose pinotage wine
5) 10 best pinotage wines

Briefly about the variety

Pinotage is an unusual red grape variety from South Africa, which is still little known for its well-developed winemaking. It was obtained almost a hundred years ago, in 1925, and one of its ancestors is French Pinot Noir.

Due to its unpretentiousness and undemanding care, the variety began to rapidly gain popularity since 1961. At that time, winemakers had not yet recognized the potential of the variety, so they focused on the volume of wine produced.

However, already in 1991, at the famous International Wine and Spirits Competition, the wine from the Pinotage variety from Kanonkop farm was awarded the title of the best wine, after which the variety began to be taken more seriously, and the Pinotage Association was even created to promote it...

What's the trick

Pinotage wines are powerful, with strong tannins, full-bodied and concentrated. The aroma has a lot of fruits and dark berries, especially blueberries, blackberries and prunes. Some samples can even be called a "fruit bomb". Aging in oak gives the wine hints of spices, fine leather and smoke.

Pinotage also has its own unique "signature" style - coffee wine, which began to gain popularity in 2000.

Wines of this style are often suspected of using additives, the aroma of coffee and chocolate is so bright. However, it's all about the special production technique, which involves the use of burnt oak barrels or, sometimes, oak "chips".

With what and how to drink pinotage wine

Serving temperature 8-18 ° C. depending on the ageing - young wines should be chilled more, more mature wines - vice versa.

In terms of gastronomy, pinotage wines are quite versatile. Italian pizza with spicy sausages, game dishes, baked lamb, juicy steaks are suitable for them. Interesting gastronomic pairings with tuna and spicy Mexican dishes.

How to choose pinotage wine

When choosing a pinotage wine, you should be prepared for surprises and experiments, refer to reviews of a particular wine on specialized resources, ask a cavist or store consultant.

Sometimes an unpleasant surprise after the purchase can be animal tones in the aroma - wet wool, fresh meat, barn. In this case, you should pour the wine into a decanter and let it "breathe", as well as more carefully approach the choice of food.

10 best pinotage wines

Vzboltai offers a selection of pinotage wines, consisting of 7 samples - from simple to more interesting and in ascending order of price. In the end, a bonus awaits you - 3 unusual samples.

Elli Pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Western Cape.

Alcohol: 13% vol.

Delivery temperature: 14-15°C.

A basic wine that is suitable for getting to know the variety. It has a medium intensity flavor, red berries - cherries, cherries, prunes, light notes of smoked meats. The taste is light with very soft tannins and bright acidity. Since the wine is basic, it is recommended to cool it down to 14-15 degrees. Goes well with simple meat dishes.
Käfer Pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Western Cape.

Alcohol: 15% vol.

Serving temperature: 15-17°C.

The grapes for this wine are grown in accordance with the principles of biodynamics. This means that mechanization in relation to grapes is minimized, and chemicals and fertilizers are completely excluded. This is also why this wine is among the top 10% of the best wines in the Western Cape.

The wine is rich, with tannins above average. Aromas: ripe plum, black currant, dark chocolate and some spices. The taste is characterized by red fruits, cherries, black pepper and spices. It is recommended to serve at a temperature of 16-17 degrees with stewed or roasted meat with red sauce, with ribs.
Arabella Pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Robertson.

Alcohol: 14% vol.

Serving temperature: 16-17°C.

A basic wine with serious potential to become something more. The grapes are grown on the site of a disappeared lake, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for up to 10 months in French barrels. Another argument in favor of Arabella is the following - in 2015, this wine won gold at the Ultra Value Awar competition in South Africa.

The aroma has a scattering of dark berries - plum, blueberry, currant, and then chocolate and mocha coffee. The taste is very rich, with dark fruits, blueberries, dried fruits and a little banana. The wine has velvety tannins and a long spicy finish. Recommended to serve with lamb, grilled pork, roast chicken. A rare variant of wine that can be drunk with dark chocolate.
Cafe Culture Coffee Pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Western Cape.

Alcohol: 14% vol.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C.

A real coffee wine from South Africa, which is recommended for experimenters and those who are already familiar with the pinotage variety.

The wine immediately impresses with its exoticism. The nose is full of coffee and roasted coffee beans, sweet cherries and vanilla. The taste of the wine is juicy, rich, full of tones of coffee and chocolate, fruits and spices, complemented by nuances of oak wood and tobacco. Perfect with pork and meat dishes in general, can be served with poultry and various pastas.
The Bridge of Hope Pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Wellington.

Alcohol: 14% vol.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C.

A worthy wine that opens up pinotage from a new perspective. Definitely not ordinary and not suitable for every day, and it's not just the price - the wine is powerful and extremely bright.

The aroma is filled with hints of jam - blackberry and black currant, there are notes of coffee. The rich flavor of the wine is characterized by banana, fig.banana, figs, bay leaves and spices appear in the rich taste. The finish is bright and long, with powerful tannins. but balanced. The wine will make a great pair with grilled meat and vegetables, roast pork, barbecue ribs.
Barista pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Western Cape.

Alcohol: 13.5% abv.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C.

To understand exactly what "coffee wine" is, you need to try this wine - a kind of classic in this segment. In addition, it is one of the rare samples that has maintained a rating above 4.0 on Vivino along with more famous and expensive wines.

The aroma of the wine is very intense - it contains coffee and hot chocolate, complemented by hints of ripe sweet cherries. The taste is very bright and juicy, it contains ripe plum, sweet mulberry, mocha coffee and spices. Thanks to its powerful tannins, it is recommended to serve with fatty roasted red meat, but it will also show itself perfectly paired with blue cheese and chocolate desserts.
Kanonkop Pinotage, dry red wine

South Africa, Stellenbosch.

Alcohol: 14.5% vol.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C.

Wine of the highest quality of the premium category. The grapes for this wine are grown on vines that are 56 years old, the berries are carefully selected, and the wine itself is aged for 16 months in French barrels with a volume of only 225 liters. The producer has received many awards and gold medals at various competitions.

Possesses a surprisingly rich aroma of plum and black raspberry, hints of coffee and spices are present. Rounded and rich taste enchants with notes of berries, blackberries and figs, which are complemented by Provencal herbs. The tannins are powerful and chewy, which makes the wine perfectly combined with red meat dishes, medium-rare steaks and spicy oriental dishes.
Aaldering Estate Pinotage Blanc, dry white

South Africa, Stellenbosch.

Alcohol: 14% vol.

Serving temperature: 10-12°C.

A rare wine produced from pinotage using the technology of creating white wines. It is quite difficult to find it on sale, but you will definitely not regret it. The wine has a rich and vibrant aroma, in which shades of pomegranate are intertwined with citrus notes, especially red orange, complemented by nuances of nuts and pastries. The taste is full-bodied, refreshing, with a creamy texture, and the exotic fruits continue in the long aftertaste. The wine is a perfect match for sharp cheeses, roast duck, pork with tomato sauce.
Mooiplaas "The Strawberry", dry rose wine

South Africa, Western Cape.

Alcohol: 12.5% vol.

Serving temperature: 6-8°C.

The perfect rosé wine for a hot summer day. The wine has a bright, recognizable aroma filled with hints of many red berries, especially strawberries and strawberries. The taste is refreshing and juicy, with invigorating strawberry acidity. This wine can be drunk unaccompanied, but it will go well with pink fish, fried chicken and light salads.
Barkan "Reserve" Pinotage, dry red wine

Israel, Judean hills.

Alcohol: 14% vol.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C.

Another find that will be difficult to find on sale. You bet - Israeli pinotage wine. Nevertheless, fans of the variety should get acquainted with it, as the wine regularly receives medals from reputable experts.

The aroma of the wine is complex, consisting of hints of ripe red berries and dried cherries, complemented by nuances of black tea and hot spices. The taste is supple and soft, filled with notes of dark berries. It has a balanced acidity and a long berry aftertaste.