Pinotage
Pinotage is a red grape variety and South Africa's national grape. It impresses with pronounced aromas of red berries, plums, and wild herbs. Often the grape has a subtle note of banana and a full-bodied texture. The spice is reminiscent of pine and cinnamon. In 1924, the first Pinotage breeding occurred by Professor Abraham Perold at Stellenbosch University. He crossed Pinot Noir with the widely planted Cinsault. The Cinsault variety was known as Hermitage at the time, which explains the name Pinotage. However, it would take until 1941 for the first wine to be made from this new grape variety in Elsenburg. Due to the limited experience with the vine and the adverse circumstances during apartheid, large quantities of Pinotage ran into considerable quality difficulties. Over the past two decades, however, South African winemakers have managed to perfect the handling of their national grape.