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Varietal: Pinotage
Pinotage was created in the early 20th century by a viticultural professor in South Africa. It was made by crossing the fine Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grape varietals, to produce a grape which was hardy enough to survive and flourish in the South African climate, and which produced wines of excellent flavor and a deep red color The Pinotage grape is renowned for its versatility, and is regularly used to produce fortified and sparkling wines, as well as the more usual still red wines which are easily identified by their smoky flavor, and notes of dark bramble berries and earthy characteristics. Occasionally, Pinotage grapes will hold some tropical fruit flavors, which make them ideal for drinking with a range of different foods. Whilst Pinotage is most readily associated with South Africa, it has also been successfully cultivated in many other parts of the world.
Region: Coastal Region
The coastal region of South Africa is a wonderful place for viticulture. With gorgeously long, hot summer days, tempered by brisk oceanic winds, the grapevines can grow healthily, the fruit can ripen fully, and beautiful wines of great character and flavor can be made. For several hundred years now, the coastal region of South Africa has proven itself to be a highly important wine region, capable of supporting many grape varietals, suitable for still, fortified and sparkling wines. Today, the most popular grapes by far are Chenin Blanc, which produces the most recognizable wines of South Africa. However, also popular are many of the Bordeaux varieties of red and white grape, along with relative newcomers, such as Pinotage, which grow exceptionally well in the coastal terroir.
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.