The Pinotage
Grape
A red grape variety unique to South Africa, created as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Pinotage produces robust, full-bodied wines with flavors of dark fruits, tobacco, and sometimes a distinctive smoky, earthy character.
Pinotage
Grape History
Pinotage is a unique grape variety that holds a special place in the history of South African winemaking. It is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (also known as Hermitage), created in 1925 by a scientist named Abraham Izak Perold. The goal of this crossing was to combine the elegance of Pinot Noir with the hardiness of Cinsaut, creating a grape that could thrive in the South African climate.
The name "Pinotage" is derived from its two parent grapes, Pinot Noir and Hermitage. Initially, Pinotage faced a bit of skepticism due to its distinctive flavors and characteristics. However, over time, it has gained recognition as a truly unique and versatile grape variety.
Pinotage is primarily grown in South Africa, particularly in regions such as Stellenbosch, Swartland, and Paarl. The grape is known for its ability to thrive in diverse soils and climates, resulting in wines with a wide range of styles and flavor profiles.
The wines produced from Pinotage grapes can vary from light and fruity to rich and full-bodied, depending on factors such as the winemaking techniques employed and the terroir in which the grapes are grown. Common flavor profiles include notes of red berries, plums, earthy tones, and sometimes a hint of smokiness.
Pinotage is commonly used to produce red wines, both as a varietal wine (made entirely from Pinotage grapes) and in blends with other grape varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape can also be used to make rosé wines, which are typically lighter and fruitier in style.
In recent years, Pinotage has seen a resurgence in popularity, with winemakers experimenting with new techniques and styles to showcase the grape's potential. The future of Pinotage looks promising, as more consumers are seeking out unique and distinctive wines that reflect the terroir of the regions in which they are produced.
Overall, Pinotage is a grape variety that embodies the spirit of South African winemaking, offering wine enthusiasts a taste of the country's rich viticultural heritage and unique terroir. As winemakers continue to explore and refine their techniques, the potential for Pinotage to become a standout variety on the global wine stage is certainly within reach.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel