Pinotage from South Africa

Pinotage - The soul of South Africa

The grape variety Pinotage is an important part of South African wine culture and a grape variety that comes exclusively from South Africa. The grape variety was “invented” in South Africa and is grown by many wineries there. Pinotage is used alongside the pure variety Aged often also for cuvées and Roséweine used.

However, the Pinotage grape variety is not only popular in South Africa, but all over the world. Pinotage wines are usually characterized by a fruity taste and a complex body. A special feature of the Pinotage grape variety is above all the intense aroma. This gives the wines a very special, full-bodied character.

Pinotage inherits the strong berry flavors from the Pinot Noir grape variety and the spice from the Cinsaut grape variety.

Pinotage - origin of the grape variety

In 1925, Professor Abraham Isak Perold bred this cross between grape varieties in his garden Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. This laid the foundation for the Pinotage red wine. Abraham Isak Perold is therefore regarded as the inventor of the Pinotage grape variety. So Pinotage is a historic grape variety for South Africa, but relatively young compared to French grape varieties.

In terms of naming, Abraham Isak Perold combined the name Pinot Noir, with another name of the Cinsault grape variety, the Hermitake. This is how the name we know today developed: Pinotage.

Pinotage - Made in South Africa

Today, many well-known wineries in South Africa produce Pinotage wines. A well-known region for Pinotage cultivation is the wine region of Stellenbosch. Here, wineries create like Kanonkop with their Kanonkop Cadet Range (Cadette Pinotage), as well as  Diemersfontein or Beyerskloof  excellent Pinotage wines known worldwide.

Pinotage is grown almost exclusively in South Africa. Occasionally, however, this unique grape variety can also be found in other wine regions of the world. Over the years, the grape variety has experienced some successes in South Africa, but also setbacks. The grape variety is therefore considered an important symbol of South African viticulture.

Pinotage - smell and taste

Pinotage wines can be found with very different flavors and in different finishes. In general, Pinotage is a full-bodied grape variety that brings a lot of aroma. Pinotage can be aged both fresh and with smoky flavors. The aroma of banana, plum and tropical fruits is also a common flavor profile.

A special feature of the Pinotage grape variety is the Coffee Pinotage style. Here, the chocolate and coffee flavors naturally present in Pinotage wines are enhanced by aging in wooden casks. A well-known wine here is the  The Chocolate Block Pinotage. This is characterized by particularly intense chocolate aromas.

Pinotage - Online im Shop bestellen

In our online shop we offer a very large selection Pinotage Wines from various wineries in South Africa.

Animal Pinotage from the Winery Diemersfontein or the Pinotage from the Beyerskloof Winery are among the classics from South Africa. Also very special Pinotage wines like the Pinotage Cellar Selection from the Winery Kleine Zalze delight wine lovers all over the world.

In our online shop you will find a large selection of South African Pinotages from various wineries. The WineStore (www.the-winestore.com) makes it very easy and reliable to order Pinotage wines from South Africa.