Pinotage is a unique and distinctive red wine that has gained global recognition for its bold flavours and deep connection to South Africa’s winemaking heritage as one of the country’s signature grape varieties. Celebrated for its versatility and ability to reflect South Africa’s diverse terroirs, Pinotage has become a key part of the country’s wine culture, with wineries like Groot Phesantekraal producing exceptional expressions of this iconic varietal. Let’s explore what makes Pinotage stand out.

What is Pinotage?

Pinotage is a red wine grape variety created by crossing two well-known varieties, Pinot Noir and Cinsault, resulting in a wine that combines the best qualities of both parent grapes. The fruity characteristics of Pinot Noir bring bright, berry flavours, while Cinsault contributes deep, earthy notes with hints of spice and smokiness. The result is a bold, flavorful wine with a complex profile that is both approachable and distinctive. The pinotage grape is versatile, with expressions ranging from smooth and fruit-forward to more robust and smoky, depending on where it is grown and how it is vinified. This unique blend of flavours and textures has made Pinotage a standout wine in the South African wine scene and beyond.

Is Pinotage Sweet or Dry?

Pinotage is typically a dry wine, though its level of dryness can vary depending on the winemaker’s style. Most Pinotage’s characteristics include a dry profile with a good balance of acidity and tannins. While the wine is often rich in flavour, it generally does not have a pronounced sweetness, though some newer expressions may feature subtle fruity sweetness, especially in lighter versions or those with a touch of residual sugar.

Where Does Pinotage Come From?

Pinotage, a South African original, was created by Abraham Izak Perold, often called ‘the Father of Pinotage’. In 1925, Dr. Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsault (Hermitage) in his garden at the Welgevallen Experimental Farm. This led to the creation of Pinotage, named by combining its parent cultivars. Perold aimed to develop a grape with the rich flavours of Pinot Noir and the resilience of Cinsault, making it disease-resistant and adaptable to South Africa’s climate.

After Perold left Stellenbosch University, the garden became neglected. However, a young lecturer, Dr. Charlie Niehaus, discovered the vines and saved them, replanting them at Elsenburg Agricultural College. When Perold saw the grafted vines, he recommended their propagation, ensuring Pinotage’s survival. Thanks to Perold and Niehaus, Pinotage became a vital part of South Africa’s viticultural legacy. Dr. Perold also introduced 177 other grape varieties, shaping South Africa’s wine industry. Today, Pinotage is a key grape in South Africa, thriving in the diverse terroirs of the Western Cape.

How is Pinotage Made?

Pinotage is made in a similar way to other red wines. The winemaking process typically begins with handpicking the grapes at the peak of ripeness. Once harvested, the grapes are crushed, and the juice is fermented with the skins to extract colour, flavour, and tannins. After fermentation, Pinotage undergoes a maturation period, often in oak barrels, which helps to soften its tannins and develop its signature flavours.

The wine can be made in a variety of styles, from lighter, fruit-forward versions to more complex, full-bodied expressions with smoky, spicy, and earthy notes. Some winemakers also experiment with blending Pinotage with other varieties, such as Shiraz, to add complexity and balance.

Pinotage vs. Cabernet Sauvignon

Flavor Profile

Pinotage offers rich dark fruit flavours like blackberry and plum, with earthy, smoky, and sometimes coffee-like notes. It’s fruit-forward and approachable, often with a spicy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon features deep flavours of blackcurrant, cherry, and herbal notes, with firmer tannins and oak complexities like tobacco. It’s bolder and more tannic than Pinotage.

Ageing Potential

Pinotage can age well, developing smoky and leathery notes, but typically doesn’t age as long as Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon has excellent ageing potential, evolving over decades into smoother, complex flavours of leather, tobacco, and earth.

Pinotage vs. Merlot

Flavor Profile

Pinotage is bold with dark fruit, earthy, smoky, and spicy elements. It’s less fruity than Merlot, offering more complexity. Merlot is smooth, with ripe plum, black cherry, and berry flavours. It’s softer, rounder, and fruitier than Pinotage.

Ageing Potential

Pinotage matures into more complex flavours but generally has a shorter ageing potential than Merlot. Merlot has excellent ageing potential, developing chocolate, tobacco, and dried fruit flavours over time.

Ideal Pairing

Pinotage is perfect with grilled meats, lamb, curries, and smoked foods. Merlot pairs well with lighter meats, pasta, pizza, and softer cheeses like brie.

What Does Pinotage Pair With?

Pinotage is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Its rich, full-bodied flavour complements grilled meats, stews, braaied items, and smoked foods. The wine’s earthy and fruity notes also pair nicely with aged cheeses, spicy dishes, roasted vegetables, and even dark chocolate desserts, making it an excellent all-rounder.

Celebrated Pinotage from Groot Phesantekraal

At Groot Phesantekraal, we take great pride in producing Pinotage that reflects the unique terroir of Durbanville, a region renowned for its cool climate and ideal growing conditions. These factors come together to create wines with both depth and elegance. Our two exceptional Pinotage wines are a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, capturing the true essence of the land. Additionally, our Pinotage 2022 scored an impressive 90 points in the Tim Atkin Master of Wine 2023 report, while the Berliet Reserve Pinotage 2022 earned 4.5 stars in the 2024 Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide, a testament to the quality and craftsmanship that define our wines.

Berliet Reserve Pinotage 2022

The wine showcases an array of bright red fruit on the nose, together with a bouquet of allspice, vanilla and cinnamon and nuances of dried rose petals. The palate is velvety with flavours of raspberry and mulberry which finishes with a lingering linear palate. 

Food Pairing

Roasted Oak flavours lend themselves to game meat, particularly Springbok carpaccio or shank, rich roasted-tomato Italian-style Gnocchi, or salty Olive tapenade and cured anchovy paste. Imagine walking through dried autumn leaves or sitting beside a crackling wood fire. Our Berliet knows how to bring atmosphere to a table. 

Berliet Reserve Pinotage 2022 is priced at R275.00

Pinotage 2022

Vibrant red-purple hue in the glass with aromas of nutmeg, star anise cinnamon and subtle smoky undertones. On the palate, a burst of mulberry and Maraschino cherry interlaces beautifully with the sweet spice. Subtle smokiness and balanced acidity to a lingering finish.

Groot Phesantekral’s Pinotage is available for R169.00

Join Us for Pinotage Perfection at Groot Phesantekraal

At Groot Phesantekraal, we offer a unique experience beyond just enjoying great wines. Discover the distinct tastes of our wines through a guided wine tasting session, followed by a memorable farm-to-table meal at our restaurant. Each dish is prepared with the finest locally sourced ingredients and expertly paired with our wines. For wine enthusiasts who want to enhance their experience, our exclusive wine club, The Wine Herd, gives members access to limited releases, special events, and an in-depth look at our winemaking practices.

For more information about our wines or to explore our Pinotage, contact us through our website. At Groot Phesantekraal, we’re proud to offer some of the best Pinotage in South Africa. Join us for an unforgettable wine experience, and let us share the essence of our craftsmanship with you.