May Wine Focus: South African wines

[Robin Garr]

Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and on it goes ... this month we're turning to South Africa and all its wines and regions. We'll add more background information in coming days. Meanwhile, let's start posting WTNs and sharing information!

[David M. Bueker]

You had to lead with Pinotage?

[Robin Garr]

You had to lead with Pinotage?

I went with what I had ...

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Never been able to understand Pinotage! Subject usually causes quite a bit of mirth around this place.

[Robin Garr]

Never been able to understand Pinotage! Subject usually causes quite a bit of mirth around this place.

Sounds like it might be a good opportunity for you to expand your wine horizons then, Bob.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Yeah, you are spot on. I have not had a glass of wine in weeks here, birding festivals, now a heavy cold and soon May Species Counts in S Alberta. Maybe I will take a bottle to my un-suspecting nature groupies!

[John Treder]

Well, I'll be (something)ed!
I just bought a South African chardonnay today.

John

[Carl Eppig]

I went with what I had ...

By any chance did you decant it?

[Robin Garr]

I went with what I had ...

By any chance did you decant it?

Decant a $10 mass-market Pinotage? Erm ... no?

It was okay, though, actually pretty good by Pinotage standards. Ripe, plummy fruit, none of the sulfury rubber tire or other dirty flavors that have beset a lot of Pinotage in the past. I don't think decanting would have done much for it, and I can't honestly say that I often get out the decanter for modest everyday wines of this type.

I think David's point here is simply that Pinotage - a relatively modern vinifera cross between Pinot Noir X Cinsaut - is rarely ranked among the most noble of varieties.

[James Roscoe]

I have been sucking down a very nice SA Cabernet called Hands. At $9.99 It's a no-brainer.