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Varietal: Pinotage
Pinotage is a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut . It typically produces deep red varietal wines with smoky, bramble and earthy flavors, sometimes with notes of bananas and tropical fruit.
Country: South Africa
After much political turmoil South Africa is experiencing a rejuvenation in the wine business, returning to producing some of the world's finest wines including the once heralded dessert wines of Constantia. With most of the coastal region's vineyards lying within 30 miles of the sea the vines benefit from a Mediterranean climate but which is tempered by the cool Benguela current from the Atlantic Ocean. Chenin Blanc, or Steen (its local name), is still the country’s most popular grape and although planting have declined considerably over the last couple of decades it still constitutes 18% of the country’s vines. International varieties such Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc have trembled over the same period and now represent 12% and 10% of all vines respectively. Pinotage, the Cape's own crossing of Cinsault and Pinot Noir, saw a huge rise in popularity during the 1990s and has now reached a steady 6%. Shiraz on the other hand has been the most recent grape to take root, nearly doubling between 2000 and 2007. South Africa's style has often been referred to as combining the restrained subtly of the Old World with the accessible fruit driven styles of the New. Choice however can be somewhat limited with only a mere 1 in 25 bottles exported reaching the US, due to the UK, Europe's thirst.
Region: Coastal Region
The Coastal Region is the most important wine-producing region of South Africa. A Mediterranean climate helps to ripen the grapes during the day whereas the cold nights ensure that the flavor profiles and the acidity of the wines are maintained. A plethora of grape varieties thrive in the Coastal Region's terroir, with all the major popular grape varieties making quality wines. Chenin Blanc (locally known as Steen) and Pinotage perform exceptionally well.
Sub-Region:
Type: Red
Red wine is wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties. The color of red differs based on the grapes variety or varieties used.
Interestingly, black grapes yield a juice that is greenish-white. The actual red color comes from anthocyan pigments (also called anthocyanins) from the skin of the grape (exceptions are the relatively uncommon teinturier varieties, which produce a red colored juice). Most of the production centers around the extraction of color and flavor from the grape skin.