Simonsig Pinotage Redhill 2009 750ml

Winery: Simonsig

Varietal: Pinotage

In South Africa, the most widely grown red wine grape varietal is undoubtedly the Pinotage, a wonderfully versatile grape which has become something of a flagship varietal for the South African wine industry. It is also grown in several other parts of the world, but to a lesser extent. It is a viticultural cross, brought about be interbreeding Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grapes, and capturing the finer points of both species. Pinotage grapes can be used to make a range of different wines, from fortified and sparkling red wines, to the more commonplace still wines which are enjoyed all over the world. Commonly, Pinotage grapes hold smoky flavors, with dark berry notes and a plummy character, although they also often contain tropical fruit flavors and a range of earthy tones. Pinotage produces dark red grapes, and their strong color is often used for blending purposes.

Region: Coastal Region

The coastal region of South Africa is one of the most prodigious and productive wine regions on earth, and one which covers a vast distance making up for most of the tip of the African continent. The history of South African wines is a fascinating and surprisingly long one, with the very first wines in the country being produced by settlers in the 1650s, long before many other New World countries had even been discovered. Today, coastal South African wines are wildly popular around the world thanks to their big, fruity flavors and relative simplicity. Wineries in the region make the most of the hot sunshine, the high quality soils, and the brisk oceanic winds which keep disease at bay and stop the grapes from getting too hot, and produce a wide variety of wines of great distinction.

Country: South Africa

With its hot, long summers and oceanic winds from both the west and the east, South Africa is something of a haven for a wide range of imported grape varietals. Since the mid-18th century, the country has been associated with some very fine wines made using complex and careful blending techniques, with one of the most famous and widely loved early examples being constructed from Pontac, Muscadel and Chenin Blanc varietals. Since those colonial days, the regions around Cape Town have proven again and again to be fantastic areas for producing interesting and delicious wines, with many of the best examples of Champagne style sparkling wines originating from these fertile lands. From the scorchingly hot regions of Orange Rivers, to the far cooler and temperate appellations in Walker Bay, South Africa has developed a booming wine industry responsible for many of the finest New World wines available anywhere across the globe.