Pinotage (Wine Regions, Prices, Best Wines 2024)
Curious to know all about Pinotage wine before buying one?
Pinotage is South Africa’s signature wine grape and a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (while it tastes nothing like them.) Pinotage wine is becoming more and more popular as wine drinkers worldwide discover its dark fruit and oak flavors.
So, what is so unique about this red wine grape? How is the wine made?
In this article, take a trip to South Africa and discover the world of Pinotage - from its fascinating history, unique wine styles, and wine regions to the best Pinotage wines to buy in 2024.
Also, discover a hassle-free way to buy Pinotage wines!
Further reading
- Explore the world of wine investment with this detailed guide to Investing in Fine Wines!
- Discover the most Luscious Merlot Wines you can buy in 2024!
A Quick Intro to Pinotage
Pinotage is a dark-skinned grape that produces a wide range of red wines - from easy-drinking table wines to rich and concentrated wines.
Pinotage is South Africa’s third most planted grape variety after Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz (Syrah.) South Africa not only produces 98% of Pinotage wines of the world, but it is also the largest producer of the Pinotage grape variety.
In fact, Pinotage is a pretty scarce grape outside South Africa. (We’ll tell you more about that in a bit.)
Read more: Try out these top Champagne bottles - perfect for your investment wine collection. Want to uncork them? Make sure you serve them in the right Champagne glasses!
Pinotage: Origins, Criticism, and Revival
In 1925, Abraham Izak Perold (a professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University in South Africa) attempted to combine Pinot Noir’s properties with an easy to grow grape - Cinsaut (locally known as Hermitage.) He planted four crossed seeds in his garden.
In 1927, Perold took up a job at the KWV cooperative and left the vines in his overgrown garden. Thankfully, Charlie Niehaus, a young lecturer, rescued the vines and transferred them to CJ Theron, Perold’s successor.
Theron planted them in the Elsenburg Agricultural College and grafted them onto higher quality rootstocks in 1935. The best-performing vine was selected for propagation.
The new Pinotage grapes were extremely dark in color, and the wines were high in tannin and anthocyanin.
Finally, in 1941, the first-ever Pinotage wine was produced at Elsenburg.
But it wasn’t until 1959 that Pinotage finally gained attention when winemaker Bellevue’s Pinotage won the General Smuts Trophy at the Cape Wine Show. Bellevue also became the first winery to mention Pinotage on its label in 1961.
Criticism of the Grape
Pinotage suffered from a bad reputation for a long time because of its inky taste and nail polish remover scent. But the low-quality Pinotage wines were a result of poor viticulture and winemaking.
Winemakers soon realized that the Pinotage wine grape is susceptible to viral diseases and is fussy about its terroir (just like Pinot Noir.)
The Revival of the Grape
Fortunately, new winemaking techniques were introduced to make more balanced wines. Also, South African winemakers formed organizations like the Pinotage Association to promote Pinotage in the international wine industry.
Read more: Mix up an exotic Sangria, a cool Mimosa or a Champagne cocktail like Kir Royale while you dive into more details about Pinotage!
Pinotage: Viticulture and Winemaking
Like its parent, Cinsault, Pinotage is vigorous, early-ripening, and has high sugar levels. To counter all these viticulture problems, winemakers practice some of the following techniques:
- Winemakers practice vine training through bush vine (untrellised) viticulture, water stress, and bunch thinning. It provides a concentration of fruit, and adds depth to the wine. Bush vines also protect the grape from extensive heat during the growing season.
- The development of isoamyl acetate during fermentation and the wines’ volatile acidity and esters are balanced with a long and cool fermentation process and oak (American or French) barrel aging.
- The naturally high tannins of the grape are tamed by reducing grape skin contact through limited maceration.
- Recently, winemakers have started producing lighter Pinotage wines by picking the grapes early and using whole bunches in fermentation.
Pinotage Wine Regions
While the main Pinotage wine region is South Africa, it is also grown in some other wine regions around the world. Let’s take a look at them.
1. South Africa
South Africa remains the largest Pinotage wine producer. Over 7% of South African vineyards are dedicated to Pinotage vines.
Pinotage is mostly grown in Western Cape (Stellensboch and Paarl), where it is used in Cape blend and varietal wines.
In the classic Cape blend, Pinotage is blended with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon and constitutes around 30%-70% of the blend.
Other than this, South Africa also produces easy-drinking Pinotage table wines, deep red varietal wines, barrel-aged complex wines, a fortified Port wine style, and even a red sparkling wine.
2. United States
Pinotage is considered a scarce grape variety in this new world wine region. The US has only 52 acres of land dedicated to the grape’s vineyard plots.
Pinotage is grown mainly in Arizona, California, Michigan, Oregon, and Virginia.
3. Other Pinotage Wine Regions
Pinotage is also grown in Brazil, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe.
Read more: Want to explore Italian wines from Chianti, or French wines from the legendary Chateauneuf du Pape winery?
Taste and Food Pairings With Pinotage Wine
A well-made Pinotage wine is dry, full-bodied, slightly acidic, and has high tannins. It offers a range of flavors - from refreshing floral notes to juicy dark fruit flavour.
The primary flavors of Pinotage varietal wines include black plum, cherry, raspberry, oak, red pepper, tobacco, coffee, and licorice. You may also get banana and tropical fruit notes.
Serve your Pinotage with gamey meat dishes like venison to get the best of its smoky flavors.
Wondering how Pinotage is different from Pinot Noir?
Pinotage vs. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir (Vitis Vinifera) may be Pinotage’s parent, but the two grapes have distinctive qualities.
- In the glass, Pinot Noir showcases a ruby red color, while Pinotage displays a deep maroon color.
- Compared to Pinotage, Pinot Noir is lighter with lower tannins and higher acidity.
- Pinot Noir is admired for its red fruit flavors, while Pinotage is known for its dark fruit notes.
Best Pinotage Wines in 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite Pinotage wines in 2022 - perfect as a party drink and as a wine gift!
1. 2016 Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
The 2016 Kanonkop Pinotage has an intense and layered nose with primary red and black fruit flavors. You also get forest floor and herbaceous hints. The palate is structured with a long finish.
2016 Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa: $188
2. 2015 Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
An intense wine by Lanzerac, this South African wine is admired for its leather and smoke aromas. The wine is silky smooth on the palate and has a lingering finish.
2015 Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa: $113
3. 2005 Kanonkop Estate Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
This South African Pinotage is a lovely red wine with a blueberry and spice nose. On the palate, this red wine is lush, with red berry and pepper notes.
2005 Kanonkop Estate Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa: $103
4. 2015 Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Here’s a well-structured Pinotage wine with intense dark fruit flavor and a deep, long-lasting finish. The nose has blackcurrant aromas with chocolate and cedar hints.
2015 Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa: $86
5. 2010 Ashbourne Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa
An excellent South African wine, this 2010 vintage is full of layered and complex notes. On the nose, you get ripe cherry, berry, cassis, dark chocolate, and cacao aromas. The palate has a lingering acidity with a licorice aftertaste.
2010 Ashbourne Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa: $142
6. 2000 Kaapzicht Estate Steytler Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
This varietal wine is aged in new French oak to balance the grape’s volatile acidity. It gives off black cherry, mulberries, and cedar spice aromas. The palate has firm tannins with ripe red fruit flavors.
2000 Kaapzicht Estate Steytler Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa : $82
7. 2015 Beeslaar Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
A great wine with firm but well-balanced tannins, this 2015 vintage has powerful fruit notes. The nose opens to cocoa, toasted vanilla, and cedar aromas, while the palate has notes of rich plum, cassis, and boysenberry fruit.
2015 Beeslaar Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa: $57
8. 2014 Rijk's Reserve Pinotage, Tulbagh, South Africa
In the glass, this Pinotage wine has an intense red color. Strawberry and cherry fruit flavors dominate the nose, while the palate has smooth tannins and a long finish.
2014 Rijk's Reserve Pinotage, Tulbagh, South Africa: $49
9. 2015 Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage, Voor Paardeberg, South Africa
The 2015 Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage is an intense red wine by Vondeling. The nose has dark fruit notes of blackcurrant and plums. The palate showcases an elegant body with soft tannins, balanced acidity, and a jammy fruity finish.
2015 Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage, Voor Paardeberg, South Africa: $50
10. 2016 Spioenkop Pinotage, Elgin, South Africa
The whole bunch fermentation and aging in French oak barrels have given this wine delicious spicy notes. The spice balances the intense black cherry notes. The palate has fresh acidity and firm tannins.
2016 Spioenkop Pinotage, Elgin, South Africa: $49
Does Pinotage Age Well?
Some well-made Pinotages like Kanonkop can age up to eight years. Their heavy tannins and dark fruit aroma give them the ability to age with elegance. Others are made to be consumed within a year or two of bottling.
So, if you’re thinking about investing in red wines for the long haul, then Pinotage may not be the best choice.
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Add a Rare Wine to Your Collection
A well-made Pinotage wine is a perfect balance of acidity, tannins, and fruit flavors.
It may be the perfect wine for your barbeque lunch with friends. But, if you’re looking to invest in wine for the long term, you have a multitude of other options!
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