WeeklySA_AdminEXCELLENCE: Whether as a blend or Rosé, there is no keeping a good Pino down…
By Len Maseko
No doubt Pinotage’s place as South Africa’s vinous pride and heritage is now truly entrenched in the local and international winemaking folklore.
Decades of the grape variety battling for international approval have since turned out both a blooding exercise and test of character – much like the iron shaped by the fire, for which it should be truly thankful. No pain, no gain, as this truism wisens us. Hence Pinotage can bask in the glory of an illuminating journey of triumph and rightly soak its celebration as South Africa’s great contribution to the world of wine with a measure of pride.
From a Pinotage-infused sorbet, hamburger to a glass of a luscious wine made from the grape variety, the possibilities abound about how it can be enjoyed. As gourmets will always say, there are no rules for food and wine – only silly conventions which people are changing constantly.
Every year, Pinotage romantics duly toast to its longevity on International Pinotage Day, which falls on the second Saturday of October, along with the three competitions which are dedicated to the grape, including a wine festival that celebrates it together with another indigenous South African delicacy, biltong.
The three Pinotage competitions are the Absa Top 10 and Top 20 Pinotage Awards, which are followed by Perold Absa Cape Blend, which is open to wine blends that are made up of a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 70% Pinotage. Pinotage must also have the highest total percentage in the blend.
As it normally happens around August annually, the Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards unveils 10 exceptional Pinotage wines showcasing the versatility of the grape as much as the dexterity of local winemakers whose artistry contributes to its glory. This year’s competition – which included a Top 20 edition – marked a milestone of more than 26 years of honouring the finest wines of the genre.
The 10 exceptional wines that wowed the judges of the competition, and unveiled on August 31 this year, were: Beeslaar Wines, Beyerskloof Wines, Fairview Wines, Francois van Niekerk Wines, Kanonkop Wine Estate, Koelenhof Cellar, L’Avenir Wine Estate, Overhex Wines International, Spier Wines and Wellington Wines.
On Wednesday the legacy story of Pinotage with the release of the results of the 2023 Perold Absa Cape Blend and Pinotage Rosé Awards – benchmark for the finest Cape Blend and Pinotage Rosé wine.
Once again, Pinotage lovers will be spoilt for choice from the abundance of top wines in these two categories that have been selected by judges as carrying the flag aloft for the grape variety.
The awards are billed as an ode “to diversity, an anthem to quality, and a testament to the country’s vibrant wine industry”. Six of the best from the Cape Blend category are recognised as exemplifying quality and style in this category, carrying the dream of the visionary viticulturist behind Pinotage, Abraham Izak Perold.
The top wines chosen as the epitome of excellence in the two categories are:
Cape Blend Winners
Bellevue Wine Estate | Winemaker Wilhelm Kritzinger | 2021 Bellevue Atticus
Pinotage 43% Cabernet Sauvignon 41% Petit Verdot 16%
Beyerskloof Wines | Winemaker Anri Truter | 2021 Beyerskloof Synergy
Pinotage 45% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot 5% Shiraz 5% Pinot Noir 1% Cinsault 1%
Flagstone Winery | Winemaker Gerhard Swart | 2020 Flagstone Dragon Tree
Pinotage 38% Shiraz 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 19% Mataro 8% Durif 2% Petit Verdot 2% Merlot 1%
Perdeberg Wines | Winemaker Albertus Louw | 2020 Endura Winemaker’s Selection
Pinotage 52% Malbec 24% Cabernet Sauvignon 24%
KWV | Winemaker Izéle van Blerk | 2019 KWV The Mentors Perold Tributum
Pinotage 39% Cabernet Sauvignon 24% Shiraz 24% Petit Sirah 13%
Stellenbosch Hills | Winemaker Charl Myburgh | 2017 Suikerboschrand
Pinotage 35% Shiraz 35% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Merlot 10% Petit Verdot 10%
Pinotage Rosé Winners
Maastricht Wine Estate | Winemaker Thys Louw
2023 Maastricht Pinotage Rosé
Landskroon Wines | Winemaker Fanie Geyser
2023 Landskroon Pinotage Blanc de Noir Off-Dry
Windmeul Kelder | Winemaker Michael Kotzé, Abraham van Heerden
2023 Windmeul Pinotage Rosé
Rooiberg Wines | Winemaker André Scriven
2023 Rooiberg Winery Pinotage Rosé
DTK Wines | Winemakers Shawn Thomson
2023 Du Toitskloof Pinotage Rosé
