As the pioneers of Pinotage, South Africans across the country will be enjoying this much-loved varietal on Saturday, 8 October, as we celebrate National Pinotage Day.
Situated at the foothill of the Paardeberg Mountain range is Perdeberg Cellar, home to some of South Africa’s award-winning wines, which include their premium range of stellar Pinotage wines. These include The Classic Collection Pinotage, The Vineyard Collection Pinotage 2021, The Dry Land Collection Resolve Pinotage 2019, and the Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend 2018.
A firm favourite among wine enthusiasts of all ages, The Classic Collection Pinotage forms part of a range made in an elegant, yet fruity new world style. Made for enjoyment on its or with food. The Pinotage described as charming, showcases aromas of dark plum, blackberry and subtle spices. On the palate the wine delivers elegant tannins, ripe dark fruit and hints of vanilla, resulting in a lingering, fruity aftertaste. A diverse wine which pairs with most foods but works perfectly with tomato-based dishes as well as spicy Portuguese or Cape Malay dishes. Available directly from the Tasting Room at R65 per bottle.
Suited to the wine wanderlust enthusiast, The Vineyard Collection range is made from specific vineyards, each with its unique character for its cultivar and terroir, produced in an elegant new-world style. With subtle wood contact on the The Vineyard Collection Pinotage, the wine offers aromas of prunes, cherries and ripe berry notes, with nuances of vanilla oak. The palate is filled with ripe fruit and rich tannins, resulting in a lingering aftertaste. Enjoy on its own or with a delicious seared tuna steak, roasted pork shoulder, barbequed lamb ribs or even a well-matured cheese. Available directly from the Tasting Room at R95 per bottle.
Mother Nature may not always be gentle, but it is often under these tough conditions that the most beautiful fruit is created. Perdeberg’s award-winning The Dry Land Collection of ultra-premium wines is a perfect example of this. Made from grapes cultivated in vineyards that receive no irrigation, also known as ‘dryland’ vineyards, the collection showcases the uniqueness of wines grown in this terroir using age-old traditions. Expanding on the Paarl cellar’s 80-year history of winemaking excellence, The Dry Land Collection selects grapes from older vines and bush vines, planted in the best soils where they would be sustainable with seasonal rainfall as the main water source.
Included in this impressive range is the Resolve Pinotage. It’s a known fact that Pinotage vineyards flourish under dryland conditions, and this wine is a perfect example of what a Pinotage should be. The dark colour, explicit aromatics and juicy structure of this wine are a testament to this traditional way of grape farming. Pairs beautifully with a seared tuna steak, lamb tikka masala or glazed pork ribs. The cellar door price for this ‘must have’ wine is R145 per bottle.
Completing the Pinotage line-up is the Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend, which forms part of the Iconic range. Perdeberg’s super premium collection, the Endura wines are made to reflect the true character of the varietals, and in doing so showcase the diversity and uniqueness of the terroir. With its striking label, the Endura Winemaker’s Selection Cape Blend 2018, comprises a blend of Pinotage (69%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%) and Malbec (10%). With a fine tannin structure, the wine is an intense colour with fruit-forward flavours, all of which hold the promise of impressive ageing potential. A collector’s dream at R350 per bottle, this wine is the perfect food partner to rich dishes such as Cape Malay curry, red meat and wild game.
These wines are available directly from the tasting room or online. For more information on these wines or to buy them, browse wine.co.za's online store HERE.