Fact #17
Does South Africa have its own indigenous grape variety?
The answer is yes! Every wine country has its benchmark wine: New Zealanders have Sauvignon Blanc, and South Africans have Pinotage.
"Born" in 1925 as Pinotage, it is a cross between "Pinot Noir x Cinsault (formerly Hermitage)".
- The first vineyards were planted in 1957 by Meerendal, Kanonkop and Bellevue.
- <7% of the vineyard area in RSA is Pinotage.
- Wine styles and aromas: The spectrum ranges from fruity, velvety full-bodied to elegant,
finessed, aromatic with notes of red and black berries, but also banana, to earthy, forest floor, floral notes as well as vanilla, coffee, chocolate and spices from barrique aging.
Pinotage is a versatile grape variety that is definitely worth tasting. Its diverse wine styles cater to every wine preference.
What does "autochthonous" mean?
"Autochthonous" comes from Greek and literally means "native, indigenous".
