Do we ship to you?.
More Details
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
Coastal South Africa has long been recognized as a vitally important global wine region, and was probably the first 'New World' country to produce wines of an exceptionally high quality. Indeed, in the late 18th century, wines from in and around Cape Town were regarded as amongst the best wines on earth, and were adored for their exoticism and big, fruity flavors Today, the South African wine industry is booming, and wineries are appearing each year along the sun drenched and windy oceanic coastline. Many grape varietals are now grown in the region, however, Chenin Blanc remains the country's flagship varietal, with over eighteen percent of vineyards in the country used for this particular grape, closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Colombard.
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.