Look what popped into my inbox today...
http://link.newsletter.epicurious.com/view/508991aadc87ac0b4fab855c13obe.opg/d4ff745d
The Epicurious Daily Sip newsletter all about our Country's signature varietal.
Now Epicurious is obviously international, but from the advertising and content one can assume their general market is the US of A. Which is why it is so fantastic to see a uniquely South African varietal getting some airtime!
Of course the Beyerskloof Pinotage "Diesel" which they recommend goes without saying. Beyerskloof is synonymous with all things Pinotage (Pinotage burgers, Chenin Blanc/Pinotage white wine, Lagare fortified Pinotage) and really have made their mark in this varietal with awesome wines. The farm itself is so inviting, a beautiful view from the restaurant deck and a completely relaxed and comfortable environment.
The other wine they mention is Kanonkop, this farm is just down the road from us, so I will definitely be making a stop there sometime to check out their Pinotages. According to the Pinotage history, Kanonkop was actually one of the first farms in the country to plant Pinotage grapes.
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| Image: Diemersfontein website |
Another predominantly Pinotage farm is Diemersfontein which make awesome wines. Their Pinotage-on-tap festival is actually coming up on 12th October 2013. When I tasted Diemersfontein Pinotage the first time I told the lady it was one
of the few times I actually tasted the flavours she described, dark
chocolate on the palate and coffee in the aftertaste.
While the newsletter gave a great description of a typical Pinotage,
they forgot to mention the distinctive coffee and chocolate flavours one
would usually find on the nose and palate.
A lovely wine and proud to see it getting some recognition across the pond over there!
If you are looking for some other good bottles, the 2012 ABSA Top Ten Pinotages were as follows:
- Altydgedacht Estate 2011 (Durbanville)
- Diemersdal Estate 2011 (Durbanville)
- Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Pinotage 2011 (Durbanville)
- Painted Wolf Guillermo Pinotage 2009 (Swartland)
- Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage 2008 (Tulbagh)
- Simonsig Estate Redhill Pinotage 2010 (Stellenbosch)
- Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2010 (Stellenbosch)
- Swartland Bush Vines Pinotage 2010 (Swartland)
- Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage 2010 (Wellington)
- Windmeul Reserve Pinotage 2011 (Paarl)
Got get yourself a bottle to enjoy and let me know if you find some other good ones!
Labels: Beyerskloof, Diemersfontein, Kanonkop, Pinotage
