From deep dark red to sweet and sparkling to white and ice cold, the diversity of South Africa’s home-grown grape varietal Pinotage, is continuously being tested as winemakers try out new styles.
The proof is in the pudding so to speak as Lanzerac Estate Chef Stephen Fraser proved with his recent lunch menu built around 6 very different Pinotages. The wines chosen to highlight the varietal’s versatility with the menu are Perdeberg Sparkling Rosé, L’Avenir Glenrosé, Overhex Survivor Offspring Cape Blend, Lanzerac Pinotage, W True to Terroir Low Alcohol Pinotage and Mellasat White Pinotage. To experience this at home, the “Pinotage Diversity 6-Pack” will be for sale by Wine-of-the-Month-club from early April.
At the festivals visitors will also get the chance to broaden their knowledge of Pinotage as many more different styles and interpretations will be available for pairing, tasting and purchasing.
At the Cape Town event, Boschendal’s The Werf Butchery is bringing their pasture-fed Black Angus Biltong and Droëwors flavoured with natural herbs and spices to the festival. Dad’s Choice Biltong and Braai features products personally chosen by owner Jannie Kotzé, who has a busy store in Somerset Mall and a popular mobile Biltong Bar, which is a well-known sight at many big events around the Western Cape.
The participating wineries for the Western Cape are: Altydgedacht Estate, Anura Vineyards, Badsberg Wine Cellar Beyerskloof, Doolhof Wine Estate, Flagstone Winery, Kaapzicht Wine Estate, Knorhoek Wines, Lanzerac Wine Estate, L’Avenir Wine Estate, Leipzig Winery, Mellasat Vineyards, Namaqua Wines, Overhex Wines International, Perdeberg Wines, Simonsvlei Winery, Stellenbosch Vineyards, Vriesenhof Vineyards, Wellington Wines, Windmeul Kelder.
The Festivals take place on Saturday, 22 April and Sunday, 23 April 2017 at L’Avenir Wine Estate just outside Stellenbosch, and on 14 and 15 October at Leriba Hotel in Centurion, Gauteng.
Tickets @ R200 pp (R250 in Gauteng) includes a branded crystal wine glass and a pairing card for the Pinotage and Biltong tastings. Tickets at www.plankton.mobi. or www.computicket.com