Phenomenal Pinotage
It's impossible to talk about South Africa's culinary traditions without referencing Pinotage. This South African wine variety is at the heart of an authentic South African food and wine experience and therefore also an essential part of the offering at Leopard's Leap.
We celebrate a century of Pinotage this year! Its story started in 1925 when Professor Perold successfully crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, also known as Hermitage. Pino - tage is therefore named after its parents, Pinot Noir and Hermitage.
However, this short introduction does nothing to tell the phenomenal story of Pinotage.
After what was quite the mismatched crossing in his home garden, Professor Perold almost forgot about his project and if it wasn't for a young lecturer who noticed a clean-up in the gardens when Professor Perold moved from Stellenbosch to Paarl, Pinotage would probably not have become the century-old South African variety we know and love today! Dr Niehaus saved the seedlings from that garden, they were then re-established in the Elsenburg Agricultural College's nursery by Professor Theron and in 1941, the first Pinotage was made in small casks by one of the Elsenburg lecturers, CT de Waal. Read the whole, beautiful story on wine.co.za
Why did Professor Perold decide to cross Pinot Noir, the prince of French red grape varieties, with the humble Hermitage? He left no notes explaining his choice. But there was general excitement at the results of the early commercial plantings of Pinotage vines. The grapes ripened early, high sugar levels were easily achieved, and the vines stayed healthy and vigorous. The early wines also showed a deeper, more intense ruby colour than either parent varietal.
At Leopard's Leap, we produce two styles of Pinotage.
The 2024 Leopard's Leap Pinotage from the Classic Collection is easy-drinking and versatile and the perfect choice with easy, tasty dishes like burgers, pizzas and stews. It is however, unbeatable with another South African favourite - the Boereworsrol! Especially when that spicy sausage is covered in Chakalaka! Do try this recipe!
This style is typical of fruit-driven Pinotage with red fruit aromas and well-balanced juicy red berries that lingers pleasantly on the palate while local wine drinkers are socialising next to a braai.
The 2023 Special Edition Pinotage is a prime example of South Africa's signature variety. It displays a beautiful rich purple colour with a bright crimson red hue, offers aromas of mixed berry compote aromas and juicy red fruit finished by soft nuances of oak and vanilla. With its excellent structure and length, soft tannins and elegant finish it is the ultimate partner on the dinner table.
You can't ask for a better food partner for the Special Edition Pinotage than the favourite meal of the iconic Madiba! According to the cookbook, Ukutya Kwasekhaya: Tastes from Nelson Mandela’s Kitchen by Xoliswa Ndoyiya, the personal chef of Nelson Mandela, the late president had a preference for simple, traditional food. One of his favourites was an oxtail stew and we think that Chef Christiaan Visser's recipe for Oxtail with samp is the perfect way to go if you want a truly South African feast - that is if you have the Special Edition Pinotage in your glass, of course!
Visit us at Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards to taste these two prime examples of Pinotage and don't miss out on the ultimate local taste experience, TASTE SA! Try both Pinotages as well as our selection of Chenin Blanc wines and enjoy them with the best braaibroodjie in the business! Available from Wednesday to Sunday. Learn more.
It's impossible to talk about South Africa's culinary traditions without referencing Pinotage. This South African wine variety is at the heart of an authentic South African food and wine experience and therefore also an essential part of the offering at Leopard's Leap.
We celebrate a century of Pinotage this year! Its story started in 1925 when Professor Perold successfully crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, also known as Hermitage. Pino - tage is therefore named after its parents, Pinot Noir and Hermitage.
However, this short introduction does nothing to tell the phenomenal story of Pinotage.
After what was quite the mismatched crossing in his home garden, Professor Perold almost forgot about his project and if it wasn't for a young lecturer who noticed a clean-up in the gardens when Professor Perold moved from Stellenbosch to Paarl, Pinotage would probably not have become the century-old South African variety we know and love today! Dr Niehaus saved the seedlings from that garden, they were then re-established in the Elsenburg Agricultural College's nursery by Professor Theron and in 1941, the first Pinotage was made in small casks by one of the Elsenburg lecturers, CT de Waal. Read the whole, beautiful story on wine.co.za
Why did Professor Perold decide to cross Pinot Noir, the prince of French red grape varieties, with the humble Hermitage? He left no notes explaining his choice. But there was general excitement at the results of the early commercial plantings of Pinotage vines. The grapes ripened early, high sugar levels were easily achieved, and the vines stayed healthy and vigorous. The early wines also showed a deeper, more intense ruby colour than either parent varietal.
At Leopard's Leap, we produce two styles of Pinotage.
The 2024 Leopard's Leap Pinotage from the Classic Collection is easy-drinking and versatile and the perfect choice with easy, tasty dishes like burgers, pizzas and stews. It is however, unbeatable with another South African favourite - the Boereworsrol! Especially when that spicy sausage is covered in Chakalaka! Do try this recipe!
This style is typical of fruit-driven Pinotage with red fruit aromas and well-balanced juicy red berries that lingers pleasantly on the palate while local wine drinkers are socialising next to a braai.
The 2023 Special Edition Pinotage is a prime example of South Africa's signature variety. It displays a beautiful rich purple colour with a bright crimson red hue, offers aromas of mixed berry compote aromas and juicy red fruit finished by soft nuances of oak and vanilla. With its excellent structure and length, soft tannins and elegant finish it is the ultimate partner on the dinner table.
You can't ask for a better food partner for the Special Edition Pinotage than the favourite meal of the iconic Madiba! According to the cookbook, Ukutya Kwasekhaya: Tastes from Nelson Mandela’s Kitchen by Xoliswa Ndoyiya, the personal chef of Nelson Mandela, the late president had a preference for simple, traditional food. One of his favourites was an oxtail stew and we think that Chef Christiaan Visser's recipe for Oxtail with samp is the perfect way to go if you want a truly South African feast - that is if you have the Special Edition Pinotage in your glass, of course!
Visit us at Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards to taste these two prime examples of Pinotage and don't miss out on the ultimate local taste experience, TASTE SA! Try both Pinotages as well as our selection of Chenin Blanc wines and enjoy them with the best braaibroodjie in the business! Available from Wednesday to Sunday. Learn more.
Related Articles
