Versatility proves a plus with Pinotage
published on: Friday, 22 June 2007
Pinotage is South Africa’s homegrown red-wine grape and its popularity is on the rise, both locally and internationally.
At the annual Pinotage Vintage Tasting, held recently (last Thursday) at Allée Bleue outside Franschhoek, the versatility of this unique red wine came strongly to the fore as a benefit contributing towards its successful sales.
In addition to the increased demand from the local and international markets for bottled Pinotage wines in the premium and ultra-premium categories, Pinotage, after Chenin Blanc, is also South Africa’s second-largest volume of bulk export wine (7,117,421 litres from May 2006 to April 2007).
Co-owner and cellarmaster of Simonsig, Johan Malan, whose Pinotage wine was one of those selected for the Pinotage Vintage tasting, emphasised that their 2005 Pinotage had been sold out some time ago, and that there was already huge demand for the 2006 vintage.
"Pinotage is a top-seller, so it must be in fashion. That’s the reality of the market," says Johan.
Charles Hopkins, vice-chairman of the Pinotage Association, presented the tasting. He mentioned that at recent wine exhibitions in Europe, the inquiries at South African stalls were mainly about Pinotage, as it is something relatively new on the market which people want to discover and experience.
In a subsequent interview, having tasted 13 tank and barrel samples of 2007 Pinotage from across the Cape Wineland regions, Charles considered the versatility of this South African wine varietal to be its greatest asset.
"The wines that were tasted came from various wine-producing areas, with diverse climates and soils, and are aimed at assorted local and international markets, from the lighter style for high-quality drinking wines to the more complex wines. Every wine satisfied the style demanded by its market and this indicates the enormous versatility of Pinotage," says Charles.
It was also interesting to note that two of the wines which were particularly well received by the tasters were both matured in Hungarian oak barrels – namely the Neethlingshof Pinotage and Stanford Hill Pinotage. Until now, French and American oak has chiefly been used.
According to Neethlingshof's cellarmaster De Wet Viljoen, Hungarian oak works well with Pinotage. After long maturation, the distinctive flavours of Pinotage melt with the new flavours of Hungarian oak. The nutty flavours on the nose particularly complement the typical Pinotage aromas.
The Pinotage grape varietal has a great advantage in that it reaches optimum ripeness in early summer and is therefore harvested before the heatwave which hits the winelands in late January and early February. By that time, almost 70% of all the Pinotage grapes from the various regions have already been harvested. This is a major advantage over the other cultivars, which have to handle the heatwave.
Charles Hopkins adds: "My overall conclusion, based on the 2007 Pinotage vintage we tasted, is that the characteristic Pinotage fruitiness was in general strongly present, in addition to a better balance between wood-maturation and fruit-driven properties. This year’s wines also show younger than last year’s and need to develop considerably before they can be bottled and released. It’s something to look forward to!”
Francois Naudé, award-winning winemaker who has achieved considerable fame with his Pinotage wines, rates 2007 as one of the best four vintages over the last ten years.
The following cellars’ wines were selected from their various wine-producing areas, for the annual Pinotage Vintage Tasting: Perdeberg, Wellington, Rooiberg, Neethlingshof Estate, Stanford Hill, Simonsig, L'Avenir Estate, Riebeeck Kelder, Klawer, Brandvlei, Stellenbosch Hills, Fairview and Du Toitskloof.
Caption for Photograph
In addition to the increased demand from the local and international markets for bottled Pinotage wines in the premium and ultra-premium categories, Pinotage, after Chenin Blanc, is also South Africa’s second-largest volume of bulk export wine (7,117,421 litres from May 2006 to April 2007).
Co-owner and cellarmaster of Simonsig, Johan Malan, whose Pinotage wine was one of those selected for the Pinotage Vintage tasting, emphasised that their 2005 Pinotage had been sold out some time ago, and that there was already huge demand for the 2006 vintage.
"Pinotage is a top-seller, so it must be in fashion. That’s the reality of the market," says Johan.
Charles Hopkins, vice-chairman of the Pinotage Association, presented the tasting. He mentioned that at recent wine exhibitions in Europe, the inquiries at South African stalls were mainly about Pinotage, as it is something relatively new on the market which people want to discover and experience.
In a subsequent interview, having tasted 13 tank and barrel samples of 2007 Pinotage from across the Cape Wineland regions, Charles considered the versatility of this South African wine varietal to be its greatest asset.
"The wines that were tasted came from various wine-producing areas, with diverse climates and soils, and are aimed at assorted local and international markets, from the lighter style for high-quality drinking wines to the more complex wines. Every wine satisfied the style demanded by its market and this indicates the enormous versatility of Pinotage," says Charles.
It was also interesting to note that two of the wines which were particularly well received by the tasters were both matured in Hungarian oak barrels – namely the Neethlingshof Pinotage and Stanford Hill Pinotage. Until now, French and American oak has chiefly been used.
According to Neethlingshof's cellarmaster De Wet Viljoen, Hungarian oak works well with Pinotage. After long maturation, the distinctive flavours of Pinotage melt with the new flavours of Hungarian oak. The nutty flavours on the nose particularly complement the typical Pinotage aromas.
The Pinotage grape varietal has a great advantage in that it reaches optimum ripeness in early summer and is therefore harvested before the heatwave which hits the winelands in late January and early February. By that time, almost 70% of all the Pinotage grapes from the various regions have already been harvested. This is a major advantage over the other cultivars, which have to handle the heatwave.
Charles Hopkins adds: "My overall conclusion, based on the 2007 Pinotage vintage we tasted, is that the characteristic Pinotage fruitiness was in general strongly present, in addition to a better balance between wood-maturation and fruit-driven properties. This year’s wines also show younger than last year’s and need to develop considerably before they can be bottled and released. It’s something to look forward to!”
Francois Naudé, award-winning winemaker who has achieved considerable fame with his Pinotage wines, rates 2007 as one of the best four vintages over the last ten years.
The following cellars’ wines were selected from their various wine-producing areas, for the annual Pinotage Vintage Tasting: Perdeberg, Wellington, Rooiberg, Neethlingshof Estate, Stanford Hill, Simonsig, L'Avenir Estate, Riebeeck Kelder, Klawer, Brandvlei, Stellenbosch Hills, Fairview and Du Toitskloof.
Caption for Photograph
At Allée Bleue outside Franschhoek selected 2007 Pinotage wines were tasted to evaluate the vintage. It was a celebration of both quality and the successful sales of South Africa’s homegrown red wine varietal. Front (from left) are Charles Hopkins, vice-chairman of the Pinotage Association, and Debbie Burden of Simonsig, who received the Female Winemaker of the Year Award two years ago with a Pinotage wine. At the back are Pieter Carstens of Perdeberg and Eduard Malherbe of Rooiberg, two of the winemakers whose wines were chosen for this year’s vintage tasting.
Birdfield Farm, N7 P.O. Box 8 , Klawer, 8145, South Africa
Not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly.