Pinotage is a cross between two grape varieties, namely Pinot Noir and the Hermitage (or Cinsaut as it’s more widely known). It is a South African icon and since it’s commercial inception in 1959, has received conflicting reviews and had mixed blessings in the world of wine.
On the one hand you have local guru’s, like Beyers Truter, labeling it as distinctly and wonderfully different – while on the other, you have Wine Masters around the world saying it’s reminiscent of ‘Rusty Nails’!
Whatever the common view, it is distinctly South African and when you come across a well crafted example – well it’s purely magic!
Here below are a selection of truly fantastic examples of well crafted Pinotage. The list is comprised of the 2006 ABSA Top 10 Pinotage award winners:
Allée Bleue Pinotage 2005
Boland Cellar Winemakers Selection Pinotage 2004
Camberley Pinotage 2005
Clos Malverne Pinotage Reserve 2003
Kanonkop Pinotage 2004
Morewag Pinotage 2002
Pulpit Rock Pinotage 2004
Stellenzicht Golden Triangle 2005
Tukulu Papkuilsfontein Pinotage 2004
Wellington Cellar Pinotage Reserve 2003
Make an effort to go out there and try some of these fantastic wines. Once you have, come back and let me know what you think about Pinotage!
(Check out The Pinotage Association for more about this iconic grape)
Cru Master
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February 28th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Arguably the best example in the last year is the Stormhoek Pinotage 2005 which won the International Wine and Spirits Pinotage Trophy competition in July 2006 everyone on this list. But then again I am biased.
It is certainly as South African as boerwors but as with the wors you come across a wide range of quality…
February 28th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Shane, I was about to say… do i sense some product punting!?!? Hehehe, I am an avid 27 dinner attendee and love Stormhoek. You guys are doing a great job.
I think that there is such a wide range of quality that emerges out of SA that it’s so hard to choose one that you like. Much like wors, I like wors, all kinds and on occasion am known to eat chakalaka wors!
March 1st, 2007 at 8:26 am
Doesn’t matter what wors or what wine – as long as you like it then perfect.
People are often to easily swayed by awards, there are so many and in the end are just as subjective as any of our reviews of wine. They are at time a reasonable guideline fro consumers faced with a multitude of choice these days.
Tassies won’t win awards but I sometimes honestly enjoy having a bottle of two with friends -cheap and cheerful
March 1st, 2007 at 8:28 am
oh and i agree, the stormhoek pinotage is awesome – I first had it at The Nose Bar and was immediately impressed!
March 1st, 2007 at 9:20 am
I agree 100%, Tassies often rocks my socks off, you can occasionally whack a great bottle. Never put down what you like cause there is no award attached!
March 1st, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I can’t believe that list doesn’t include Beyerskloof Pinotage!!! By far the best value-for-money (not that it tastes cheap) Pinotage around and the best tasting too. I like mine with a nice 400g medium-rare rump
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 am
Beyerskloof Pinotage is the No. 1 selling in the world, its brilliant stuff!! I did give old Beyer Truter a mention in the post, he is the local guru of Pinotage here in South Africa.
They have a great new restaurant and tasting facility on the farm, worth going out to see!
another great value wine is the Landskroon Pinotage – really brilliant stuff for around R30 -R40.
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:20 am
quick and easy the stormhoek 2005 pinotage fresh,fruity and fun