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Varietal: Pinotage
In South Africa, the most widely grown red wine grape varietal is undoubtedly the Pinotage, a wonderfully versatile grape which has become something of a flagship varietal for the South African wine industry. It is also grown in several other parts of the world, but to a lesser extent. It is a viticultural cross, brought about be interbreeding Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grapes, and capturing the finer points of both species. Pinotage grapes can be used to make a range of different wines, from fortified and sparkling red wines, to the more commonplace still wines which are enjoyed all over the world. Commonly, Pinotage grapes hold smoky flavors, with dark berry notes and a plummy character, although they also often contain tropical fruit flavors and a range of earthy tones. Pinotage produces dark red grapes, and their strong color is often used for blending purposes.
Region: Coastal Region
The coastal parts of South Africa, and in particular the region around Cape Town, have been important wine regions for a surprising length of time. Indeed, viticulture first began at the tip of the African continent back in the mid 17th century, when European settlers first began experimenting with the cooler and windier terroirs near the ocean, and recognizing the potential the area had for growing grapes of real character and distinction. Those early experiments slowly but surely led to a powerful wine industry, and South African wines became famous throughout Europe for their quality and big, fruity, bold flavors Today, the coastal regions of South Africa produce a huge amount of wine, made in sparkling, still and fortified styles, and utilizing a wide range of grape varietals.
Country: South Africa
With its hot, long summers and oceanic winds from both the west and the east, South Africa is something of a haven for a wide range of imported grape varietals. Since the mid-18th century, the country has been associated with some very fine wines made using complex and careful blending techniques, with one of the most famous and widely loved early examples being constructed from Pontac, Muscadel and Chenin Blanc varietals. Since those colonial days, the regions around Cape Town have proven again and again to be fantastic areas for producing interesting and delicious wines, with many of the best examples of Champagne style sparkling wines originating from these fertile lands. From the scorchingly hot regions of Orange Rivers, to the far cooler and temperate appellations in Walker Bay, South Africa has developed a booming wine industry responsible for many of the finest New World wines available anywhere across the globe.