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Pinotage

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Parentage of the grape: Pinot Noir, Cinsault

History of the grape: In 1925, Stellenbosch University Chief Horticulture Professor Abraham Izak Perold created the Pinotage hybrid by crossing the French varietals Pinot Noir and Cinsault (locally known as “Hermitage”). His attempt at creating a signature grape for the country of South Africa succeeded. The grape grows and ripens easily in the country’s soils, due mostly to the robust Cinsault genes it carries. The flavor of wines made with the grapes can take some getting used to, however. While the Pinot Noir lends some gracious fruit qualities to the mix, Cinsault, which is mostly a blending grape back home in France, gives it a more rustic structure that tends to dominate. 
 
The early history of Pinotage was precarious at best. While it was embraced as a South African grape and widely planted and produced by the 1960s, many countries were wary to do business with South Africa due to its ongoing Apartheid practices. A Read more »

Nederburg Pinotage
Winery: Nederburg
Region: South Africa
Type: Table Wines

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Wine-Glazed Winter Vegetables

Use Riesling wine for a sweeter flavor. Read more »

Golden Kaan Pinotage
Winery: Golden Kaan
Region: South Africa » Western Cape
Type: Table Wines

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Sweet Hot Mustard

Making your own mustard is easy and allows you to customize the flavor. This version is a honey and beer mustard that’s sweet but has a big kick of heat. Try it with our Soft Pretzel Rolls or atop ... Read more »

Kanonkop Estate Pinotage Blend Stellenbosch Kadette
Winery: Kanonkop Estate
Region: South Africa » Stellenbosch » Simonsberg-stellenbosch
Type: Table Wines

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Sweet and Savory Kale

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Simonsig Pinotage Stellenbosch
Winery: Simonsig Family Vineyards
Region: South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type: Table Wines

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Vegan Lasagne

What’s lasagne without ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan? To an Italian, it’s a travesty. But to a vegan or those with food allergies, it’s a delicious, healthy, one-pot pasta dish that is bound to... Read more »

Neil Ellis Pinotage Stellenbosch
Winery: Neil Ellis Wines
Region: South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type: Table Wines

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Thai Spring Beef Stir-Fry

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Backsberg Estate Pinotage
Winery: Backsberg Estate Cellars
Region: South Africa » Coastal Region
Type: Table Wines

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Classic Soft Dinner Rolls

This is no fancy artisan bread. These are good old soft dinner rolls, pillowy rounds that taste great fresh out of the oven and slathered in butter or stuffed with something—like in our Pineapple-B... Read more »

Wildekrans Estate Pinotage Walker Bay
Winery: Wildekrans
Region: South Africa » Bot River » Walker Bay
Type: Table Wines

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Basic Boneless Roasted Leg of Lamb

Gremolata, a mixture of parsley, garlic, and lemon zest, offers heat and fresh herb and citrus flavors to assertive leg of lamb. The best part of this recipe is that putting it all together for a d... Read more »

Pinotage Fantail
Winery: Morgenhof Estate
Region: South Africa » Coastal Region
Type: Table Wines

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Applesauce

A far cry from that overly sweetened, grainy mush that dominates supermarket shelves, this is tart with a hint of sweetness. Try it on latkes , with some braised pork , or on its own. Tart with a... Read more »

Avondale Pinotage
Winery: Avondale
Region: South Africa » Paarl
Color: Red Wines

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Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Cost per serving: $1.01 Read more »

Simonsig Pinotage Stellenbosch
Winery: Simonsig Family Vineyards
Region: South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type: Table Wines

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Grilled Mozzarella and Spinach BLTs

Creamy mozzarella is a good foil for the salty, smoky bacon in this grilled version of a BLT. Before cooking, remove any tough stems from the spinach. Read more »

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DC International Wine and Food Festival

The DC International Wine and Food Festival lived up to its name. There were wineries from all over the world – not just California, France and Italy. In fact, the representation of those three wine powerhouses was pretty scarce. Perhaps a better name ...

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The Morning Claret

Having made my plans to visit the European Wine Bloggers Conference in Franciacorta, Italy this October, I'm making a point to visit as many of my compatriots' wine blogs as I can before getting to meet them, many for the first time. Of course, it bein...

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J Vineyards & Winery Pinotage Russian River Valley (2010)

Winery: J Vineyards & Winery
Region: USA » California » Sonoma County » Russian River Valley
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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shsim

This stop at J Wine was part of a Russian River trip! Fruit forward with hints of sweet plums, there was obvious tannins and good acidity. Notes of blackcurrant with a wonderful lingering finish. This well balanced easy to drink wine reminds me of a Z...

Compagnies Wijn Pinotage (2006)

Winery: Oude Compagnies Post
Region: South Africa » Tulbagh
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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CageyT

Deep, dark, and luscious. Full and soft mouth feel. Cedar, spice, and vanilla. Very intriguing wine.

Pinotage Privat Collection Spier Wines Südafrika Coastalregion Flasche Pinotage (2007)

Winery: Spier Cellars
Region: South Africa
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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anstett

An outstanding Pinotage that is affordable and available for most people. Wonderful smooth taste that goes great on the back porch watching the sun set.

Rijk's Private Cellar Red Blend Bravado (2004)

Winery: Rijk's Private Cellar
Region: South Africa » Coastal Region
Varietal: Syrah , Pinotage , Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot , Cabernet Franc
Type: Table Wines
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Tombalina Wines

Brilliant Blend, favourite by far!! Really outstanding for the value and quality delivered!

Spier Pinotage Vintage Selection (2008)

Winery: Spier Cellars
Region: South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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anstett

Excellent Pinotage. Very smooth taste with just a hint of spice on the back end. Opened the bottle just to try a glass and ended up finishing it in one meal. One of the few wines that I immediately put on my wish list to get more of.

Pinotage Fantail (2010)

Winery: Morgenhof Estate
Region: South Africa » Coastal Region
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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tabednar

Excellent wine and a great example of a Pinotage. A little bit of spice and very well rounded. Touch of earth and herb that offsets the fruit. Great stuff.

Avontuur Pinotage (2003)

Winery: Avontuur Wine Estate
Region: South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal: Pinotage
Color: Red Wines
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anstett

A nice Pinotage with good spice and full fruit finish. Definitely worth looking for.

Scali Pinotage (2005)

Winery: Scali
Region: South Africa » Paarl
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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est est est

Just a great Wine.

Graham Beck Pinotage Pinno (2010)

Winery: Graham Beck
Region: South Africa » Western Cape
Varietal: Pinotage
Type: Table Wines
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anstett

A very nice Pinotage that inspired me to go pick up a couple more bottles from this winery.

Sebeka Pinotage Blend Cabernet Pinotage (2008)

Winery: Sebeka
Region: South Africa » Western Cape
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon , Pinotage
Color: Red Wines
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rjpease

Nose of figs, apricot, and rubber. A nice finish of blackberries and currants, really makes me want to eat steak.

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Popular Pinotage wines

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Popular Regions for Pinotage View all

  • Stellenbosch

      Stellenbosch is located within the Coastal Region in South Africa’s Western Cape province....

  • Robertson

      Robertson is a wine region within the Breede River Valley in South Africa, centered around...

  • Wellington

  • Coastal Region

      The Coastal Region, within the Western Cape district, is considered the heart of the South...

  • Paarl

      The Paarl wine region is located in the Coastal Region of South Africa’s Western Cape. The...

  • South Africa

      The history of wine-making in South Africa began as the Dutch East India company establish...

  • Swartland

  • Simonsberg-stellenbosch

  • Western Cape

      The Western Cape province in South Africa accounts for the majority of the wines produced ...

Popular Wineries using Pinotage

  • Warwick Wine Estate

    Warwick wine estate was known as the farm ‘Good Success’ from 1791 until 1902. After the Anglo...

  • Thelema

    The farm comprises 157 ha of land on the slopes of the Simonsberg. The elevation ranges from 370 ...

  • Vredenheim Winery

    Wine, Coffee and food, game drives, picnics, restaurants, conference centre, functions venues, nu...

  • Neethlingshof

    A unique, kilometer long pine avenue, highly visible as you approach Neethlingshof Estate, and re...

  • Dellrust Wine Estate

    Lower-Rustenburg, home to Dellrust wines, is a historical farm in the Stellenbosch Helderberg are...

  • Waterkloof

    Waterkloof is situated on Schapenberg Hill in the Helderberg sub-region, and nestles almost in t...

People getting updates on Pinotage Wines

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Pinotage on Snooth

  • May 2013

    While traveling through Napa Valley last month I noticed that all the Vineyards I visited had roses planted around their crops. They're planted and watched closely for any early signs of infestation on the land. They monitor the Roses closely and upon early signs of problems, protective measures are taken to make sure the grape vines receive a s... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Roses and Winery's


  • Môreson Pinotage 2008

    May 2013

    Môreson Pinotage 2008

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Nickrueter


  • Bob's Pinotage 2011

    April 2013

    Bob's Pinotage 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Plenty sour at first - it definitely tastes young. I proably would have skipped it but a win clerk told me that once a wine is on its shelves, it is ready to be drunk. Citrus tartness, lightly smoked tannins, a little grape juice, and a couple of orange blossoms. Pretty well put together. Read More

    Wine review by Slipstream


  • Loma Prieta Winery Karma Vineyard Lodi Pinotage 2010

    April 2013

    Loma Prieta Winery Karma Vineyard Lodi Pinotage 2010

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by 453542Mr Dolce 453542 Mr Dolce


  • Neil Ellis Pinotage Stellenbosch 2009

    March 2013

    Neil Ellis Pinotage Stellenbosch 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Quite purple color. Not the prettiest nose--earthy, "leafy." Interesting on the palate. It's not terribly fruity--maybe a tad of cherry flavor--but there is a very "sweet" sensation around the edges of the tongue. No tannin to speak of at all. Smooth, very brief finish--a touch of bitterness, but that is gone in a millisecond. An easy wine... Read More

    Wine review by EMark


  • Wamakersvallei Winery Pinotage Wellington Phambili 2005

    March 2013

    Wamakersvallei Winery Pinotage Wellington Phambili 2005

    Snoothrank:

    A great value Pinotage from South Africa.Rich coffee / mocha tones and a lingering finish that punches well above its price point. Read More

    Wine review by alanb1108


  • Mooiplaas Pinotage Stellenbosch the Bean 2011

    March 2013

    Mooiplaas Pinotage Stellenbosch the Bean 2011

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Sandy71


  • Barista Coffee Pinotage 2011

    March 2013

    Barista Coffee Pinotage 2011

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Sandy71


  • Chamonix Winery Pinotage Franschhoek Valley Greywacke 2007

    March 2013

    Chamonix Winery Pinotage Franschhoek Valley Greywacke 2007

    Snoothrank:

    Absolutely delicious with lamb chops! This full bodied dry red wine from the Valley of Wines in South Africa displays notes of ripe dark currants and plums. Read More

    Wine review by Trienet


  • Fairview Pinotage 2010

    March 2013

    Fairview Pinotage 2010

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by sfquixote


  • Jun 15, 2012

    The 2010 Loma Prieta Pinotage from Lodi, made by a small Santa Cruz Mountains producer, is like Pinot on steroids! Amazing depth of fruit. Lacks all those unhappy elements often found in South African examples. Instead, rich with dark plums, Bing cherry, ripe raspberry, anise, caramelized brown sugar and strong tea.

    Comment by 74191HerVineNess 74191 HerVineNess


  • Jun 10, 2011

    New image uploaded to this page.

    Page modification by 453542Mr Dolce 453542 Mr Dolce


  • Jun 9, 2011

    Much maligned - but very much a "macho" wine. Heavy fruit and long, great with meats. Tannins provide a very good structure - I have tasted a Lanerac Pinotage 1969 and it was as good as any Burgundy that I've had. OK maybe not the norm but it is possible with Pinotage. If you are looking for light, low alcohol, more feminine wine look elsewhere.

    Comment by 856410Chris Conrad 856410 Chris Conrad


  • Feb 15, 2010

    An acquired taste, I believe...but once you've had it....you want more of it.

    Comment by 82103Hulananni 82103 Hulananni


  • Feb 5, 2010

    I've actually tasted two very fine Pinotage here in California. Con Brio Wines in Lodi makes a fantastic Pinotage which really brings out the fruit with the amount of sun in the fall. Also, Illuminare Winery in El Dorado County makes another Pinotage of excellent quality. When your choices become a brain numbing selection of the standard varieta...

    Comment by 40356jjknight38 40356 jjknight38


  • Jan 2, 2010

    Do readers know that there's a Pinotage Club?

    Comment by 328537flyboy2 328537 flyboy2


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