Pinotage

The South African Signature Varietal.

- Dali Khanal

Pinotage- the word combines two grape varieties, Pinot Noir and Hermitage, better known as Cinsault these days. But if you just assume its taste according to its name, you will go wrong for sure. It doesn’t taste like Pinto Noir. Not true. In fact, this South African grape looks and tastes more like Shiraz even though Pinotage is technically related to Pinot Noir. Many people haven’t heard more about this deliciously dark grape. Actually Pinotage has struggled with a very bad reputation for the last 2 decades. But things are changing now and this signature grape of South Africa has stated gaining popularity again.

Pinotage- A historical creation

Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University while attempting to combine the best qualities of the robust Hermitage with Pinot noir physically brushed a male Hermitage (Cinsaut) flower against a pollen donor Pinot Noir created Pinotage. This he did in the garden of his official residence at Welgevallen Experimental farm in 1925. The experiment created four seeds that he planted in the same garden. People believe that he was trying to create a baby with the best characteristics of mum and dad - the classic Pinot taste of Burgundy with the easy-to-grow, disease-resistant quality of Cinsaut.