Pinotage experiencing rising popularity abroad

A very enjoyable article from South African WineNews:

Versatility proves a plus with Pinotage

Vintages is currently in a bit of a Pinotage slump - I haven't seen any new releases lately. Yet Pinotage, especially a nicely wooded one, is my all-time favourite wine to serve in the summer alongside beefsteak marinated in my special rub and grilled over hardwood.

At a South African wine tasting a while back, I finally had the opportunity to taste a good bottle of Pinotage. I'm afraid that I just don't get it. This varietal simply has no appeal to me.

-- Clark

Clark, it's a "love it or hate it" variety. I have to tell you that it is my number one favourite red vinifera grape of all, and quite possibly my favourite red wine.

What I love about it is the "fruitcake" nose (usually plums, strawberries, banana) and the firm streak of smoky leather down the middle; also, the earthy qualities if and when they appear. Compared to other New World warm-climate reds, I find Pinotage more interesting. For example, I find warm-climate Shiraz much less interesting than Pinotage.

To each his own!

A very enjoyable article from South African WineNews:
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C'mon Paul,pay attention now

That press release was posted on http://www.pinotage.org 2 days ago, PLUS tasting notes for the wines it was talking about.

Paul, I agree that it is definitely a taste/preference thing, and I respect the fact that personal wine preferences should never be subjected to question or debate. The wine I sampled that night was very high quality and well made. I did not hate the wine or find it offensive. Rather, it simply did not light my fire.

You mentioned smoky leather in your description. I have been trying to describe a particular taste for a long time, and I think you have identified it for me. It is one that I do not particularly like in more than trace amounts. I have tasted it in many other wines containing no Pinotage, and I mentally filed it away as a fault. If it is truly part of the Pinotage taste profile, I can see why that wine does not appeal to me.

Very enlightening. Thanks -- Clark

The wine I sampled that night was very high quality and well made. I did not hate the wine or find it offensive. Rather, it simply did not light my fire.

Clark -- what wine was it?

No one likes every wine or variety, no problem.

I discovered pinotage on my honeymoon in South Africa last September, and while I was completely won over by what I tasted there, I've found it tougher to find consistently good stuff here in the States.

Thanks for the post though, because it reminds me that I haven't had any in a while, and I'd like to revisit it.

I do recall a Graham Beck 2002 Old Road Pinotage that knocked my socks off.

The wine I sampled that night was very high quality and well made. I did not hate the wine or find it offensive. Rather, it simply did not light my fire.

Clark -- what wine was it?

No one likes every wine or variety, no problem.

Ah ha ... I found the tasting sheet, which was only two months old.

The wine was 2003 Scali Pinotage, which has some Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. It retails for $25. Overall very good quality, but with little personal appeal to me.

-- Clark

C'mon Paul,pay attention now

That press release was posted on http://www.pinotage.org 2 days ago, PLUS tasting notes for the wines it was talking about.

I guess I need to change my homepage ...

C'mon Paul,pay attention now

That press release was posted on http://www.pinotage.org 2 days ago, PLUS tasting notes for the wines it was talking about.

I guess I need to change my homepage ...

Paul -- see also the entry for 12 June -- http://www.pinotage.org/2007/06/pinotage-to-rescue.html