It’s Grape Gab time and in this episode we’re all about the Pinotage grape, drinking whisky and a whiskey cocktail, and swag. Somehow, it all goes together. [Recorded on 24 Jan 2019]
In the Glasses (0:47)
Steph: Irish Maid cocktail from The Whisk(e)y bar in Fort Collins
- 1.5 oz Lustau RedBreast Irish Whiskey
- 0.5 oz Elderflower Liqueur
- 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
- ¼ oz Simple Syrup
- 3 cucumber slices (2 muddled, 1 garnish)
Shake and serve up in a martini glass with cucumber garnish.
Val: Glenfarclas 17-year Single Malt, Speyside, Scotland
Grape Gab: Pinotage (2:30)
What it is
Pinotage is a crossing between Cinsault (once called Hermitage) X Pinot Noir. It produces dark, full bodied red wines.
Aliases & Relatives
The only thing close to a synonym is “Perold’s Hermitage X Pinot”
However, a “Cape Blend” usually denotes a Pinotage red blend. But, now here comes the but… occasionally a “Cape Blend” refers to a Chenin-based blend.
And we dug this one up too: “Herminoir, the “almost name” of Pinotage.”
Homeland (4:35)
Pinotage is from South Africa, and that’s primarily where you find it.
Historically, it is not very old and has only been around 93 years. It was bred by Abraham Izak Perold in 1925.
Pinotage was first planted for commercial use in 1943 and first bottled (used on a wine label) in 1959 at Lanzerac.
But wait…(8:18)
Another interesting factoid is that Pinotage ripens later than Pinot Noir but before Cabernet Sauvignon. In the southern hemisphere, specifically in the Stellenbosch growing area of South Africa, that’s right around mid-February
Pinotage won international acclaim in 1991 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London where Kanonkop Pinotage received the Robert Mondavi Trophy as the Best Red Wine.
Around the world (8:45)
It also grows in the USA – specifically California, Oregon, Virginia and a lesser extent in Michigan, Arizona, Texas and Maryland. You can even find some in Israel too.
Enjoying Pinotage (9:10)
Why do some people scrunch their faces at it?
It can have a weird paint smell or an unpleasant burnt rubber aroma. Even might have a band-aid or saddle leather character from Brettanomyces.
Some even believe the ancient soil compositions can contribute to the complex interaction between all the elements of terroir – winemaking, geology and soils, climate, aspect, and other elements, contributing to that which has been described as “funk” or “roasted meat.” To us, however, this sounds like a great pairing for a South African braai, which is a BBQ in our world.
On the bright side (hey, that’s why we’re here!), Pinotage is chock full of black cherries, blackberries, and figs with a dusting of chocolate, spices and a wisp of smoke. That sounds pretty good, right?! Especially with balanced acidity, tannin and alcohol, Pinotage can knock your socks off when done right.
Prices range from $6 simple rose’ styles to $275 luxurious and ambitious, fine, red wine.
Sparkling Pinotage? Yup, there’s that too.
- RCL Sparkling Herminoir (red semi-dry) from Wellington, Western Cape, SA
- Loma Prieta Sparkling Pinotage (white / blanc de noir) from Los Gatos, CA
Learn more (15:17)
Pinotage Association was founded in the mid 90’s. (For more info on blog: https://pinotage.co.za/). Follow them on Twitter at @PinotageSA.
Pinotage Day, which started in 2014, is the annual celebration of the grape and is the 2nd Saturday in October #PinotageDay !!!
References
Clarke, O. & Rand, M. (2010). Grapes and wines: A Comprehensive guide to varieties and flavours. New York: Sterling.
Robinson, J., Harding, J., & Vouillamoz, J. (2012). Wine grapes: A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours [Kindle Edition]. New York: Ecco.
Websites:
Foundation Plant Services http://fps.ucdavis.edu/fgrdetails.cfm?varietyid=1187
Guild of Sommeliers https://www.guildsomm.com/research/compendium/w/grape_varieties/1086/pinotage
Pinotage USA http://www.pinotageus.com/
Wine Enthusiast https://www.winemag.com/varietals/pinotage/
Shoutouts (16:45)
Thank you Bob Mueller from the Mueller (http://www.muellerwine.com/) Winery! We scheduled a private tasting (Steph, would have loved these glasses!), and he spent quite a bit of time with us talking clones, winemaking, and all that fun corkdorkery we love so much.
Thank you to Janna at La Crema, Carl at Iron Horse – where we loved chatting with Steve and Chris, wine lovers tasting next to us – and at the end of a cold, crappy, rainy day, a special shoutout to the Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar (Jessie & Weslie) – because … A PIE BAR!
It was also great to have lunch with Bonny and Clark from Betty Ann Vineyard in the Russian River Valley (& from Episode 160).
Our Fabulous Sponsor (20:38)
Shout out to WTSO, our show sponsor! Wines Til Sold Out is wine at the best price online, one at a time, until sold out. They have free shipping options and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They have been an awesome sponsor, and we hope you’ll welcome them into your wine circles in the future.
Please visit them at weeklytasting.com/W25 to sign up and get started! Tell them Val and Steph sent you, of course.
Patreon Love (21:09)
We do read out our Patreon list for the last time in this episode. All patrons should have received our email by now, as we are closing the site down today, 31 January, 2019. Public announcements to follow.
The January winner of a Wine Two Five T-Shirt is Kristen in Texas! Congratulations, the prize is already on its way!
We’ve had a change in plans and will also be entering all patrons as of our announcement on 28 January into one final $200 swag bonanza (slight change in prize) drawing to celebrate Episode 200.
Connect (23:50)
Between each weekly chat you can find us on the social spaces @WineTwoFive.
Connect with Val on Twitter @WineGalUnboxed and everywhere else as @VinoWithVal.
Steph is in all the social spaces as @TheWineHeroine.