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Pinotage
Pinotage is a red wine grape variety that is indigenous to South Africa. It is a cross between the grape varieties Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, and is known for producing full-bodied wines with intense fruit flavours and a robust, spicy character, and is considered one of the signature grape varieties of South Africa.
Notable regions
Today, Pinotage is most commonly grown in its native South Africa where it is particularly prized for its ability to produce full-bodied, fruit-forward wines. It is made into both varietal wines and used in blends, most notably alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in the high-quality wines from Stellenbosch.
Although almost all Pinotage under vine is sound in South Africa, there are also small plantings in other countries such as Zimbabwe and Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Characteristics
The wines made from Pinotage grapes tend to have rich and intense aromas, with notes of smoke, dark fruit, and sometimes a hint of spice.
On the palate, Pinotage wines are often full-bodied and well-structured, with firm tannins and a noticeable acidity. Their flavour profile is dominated by black fruit, such as blackberry and black cherry, but also sometimes has hints of plum, chocolate, and coffee.