Grape Of The Week: Pinotage
Considered South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage originated in South Africa when Dr. Abraham Perold, a viticulture professor at Stellenbosch University, combined Pinot Noir and Cinsault in 1925. Its name is a combination of Pinot and Hermitage, which is what Cinsault is known as in South Africa. Almost exclusively produced in South Africa, Pinotage vines are spread across about 6,500 hectares. Known for its notes of charred black and red fruit, fig, blackberry, leather, and smoke, Pinotage pairs best with oxtail, osso buco, sushi, and ratatouille.
Spier Wine Farm Million Trees Pinotage 2019
Situated near Stellenbosch, Spier is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms with a recorded winemaking history dating back to 1692. While rooted in this heritage, the farm has a vibrant and conscious energy, and is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary South African art. Spier’s A Million Trees is a range of wines that captures what Spier does best in a bottle – making quality wines that are a true and consistent representation of each grape variety’s unique flavor. The range celebrates “Tree-preneurs” – one of Spier’s Growing for Good learning initiatives which empower local communities to create positive social and environmental change. In this elegant and easy drinking Pinotage, lush black and red fruits lead the nose, and explode across the full-bodied palate with additional hints of plum, cinnamon, and fresh green herbs. Tannins are smooth and silky, sliding into a long and complex finish, accented by earthy tobacco.
Grape Photo Credit: Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof - 76833 Siebeldingen, GERMANY
