WeeklySA_AdminANNIVERSARY: Second Saturday of October set aside as Pinotage Day
By Len Maseko
Tomorrow (October 9) will raise their glasses, as they always do on the second Saturday of October every year, to celebrate Pinotage Day.
Notably, this year is Pinotage’s 96th birthday as it was in 1925 when Professor Izak Perold, first professor in viticulture at Stellenbosch, successfully crossed Pinot noir and Cinsaut, then known as Hermitage, to create the South African grape and make history.
Today, the grape varietal has established something of a global footprint, grown in countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, United States, and Zimbabwe.
Yet, some overseas wine aficionados have made no secret of their disliking of Pinotage, even making sure the whole world gets to know about it, likening its aroma to a rubber tyre. Strangely, the world is yet to be privy to these individuals’ other dislikes that have warrant similar vociferous vehemence.
Which makes one wonder what is really behind these almost rehearsed, sustained diatribes against the grape varietal – and so deeply to elicit such vengeful reactions nearly every year.
That notwithstanding, elsewhere Pinotage continues to light up the lives of its raving fans who enjoy various styles of the grape – from single-varietal styles, the Pinotage-base Cape blend and rose wines.
In fact, three competitions that promote Pinotage are organised by the Pinotage Association, which released their results recently.
For its part, the Pinotage Association continues to espouse the virtues of the grape virtual regardless of the seemingly contrived digs: “There is so much to talk about when the topic of Pinotage, a uniquely South African grape, comes up. From historic tales of creation – merging Pinot Noir and Hermitage (Cinsaut) grapes by Prof Perold – to today’s legends crafting the latest Pinotage or Pinotage blends. The Pinotage tale is one worth well telling and should always end where it is enjoyed with friends, food or maybe even somewhere alone with a bottle of Pinotage as your company”.
This being the prominent message on its website, not forgetting to add that – in fact – Pinotage is the trump card of the South African wine industry.
The association recommends a variety of pairings for the different styles of Pinotage wines. For the medium-bodied, ‘lifestyle’ Pinotage “pairs particularly well with a freshly-caught game fish or a hearty winter bean soup.
Or try it with sashimi and sushi. Bobotie, ratatouille and curry also taste better with a glass of Pinotage next to the plate. Full-bodied Pinotage is better suited to venison, spare ribs with a rich barbecue sauce, oxtail”.
In the Food & Wine Pairing Guide, authors Katinka van Niekerk and Brian Burke note that Pinotage and Shiraz tend to share similarities when it comes to food pairings.
“As much as they (Pinotage and Shiraz) are brilliant with spicy food… they shy away from curry, which strips both wines of their fruit, leaving the drinker – rather unpleasantly – with pepper on pepper”.
Meanwhile, a series of events to commemorate are being lined up this weekend in the Cape winelands, where the grape varietal’s plantings are the third largest after Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
* Kanonkop wine estate is to celebrate Pinotage Day with a vertical tasting of Kanonkop Pinotage in Magnum, from 2015 through to 2019. R75 tasting fee applies and includes a tasting of the Kadette and Estate range. Kanonkop Black Label 2018 will also be available for tasting at an additional fee of R150. Two tastings are scheduled: Friday October 8, 3pm to 6pm; Saturday October 9, 10am to 3pm
*Pinotage Day tastings take place Beyerskloof winery tomorrow October 9, from 10H00 to 16H00. Tastings will happen at the winery’s Red Leaf Restaurant, accompanied by a special Pinotage-inspired menu prepared by Chef Frank Menezes. Make your booking via email – redleaf@beyerskloof.co.za or phone 021 865 2685
*In honour of the day, Vondeling Wines is running a competition. They would like to give two lucky winners three bottles of Bowwood Pinotage valued at R1170. Each prize consists of a bottle of 2016, 2017 and 2018 (not even released yet) vintages. To win — tag two friends you would like to enjoy a glass of pino with! For an extra entry, share to your newsfeed on Facebook! Winners to be announced tomorrow!
