Say NO to Pinot Noir!

Tired of picking the safe choice at restaurants? Consistency turning to palette boredom? Just looking for something new?? Well look alive, have I got an ace up my sleeve for you! They call it Pinotage - an original varietal from South Africa that has been getting better every year. We'll be using a

2009 Pinotage 'Petit' from Ken Forrester Vineyards

in South Africa as today's example. In 1925 the vines of Pinot Noir were crossed with the roots of Cinsaut, then commonly called Hermitage in South Africa and hence the contradiction Pinotage. Although it wasn't until the 1960's when the varietal became popular and the Pinotage label appeared in South Africa. Cinsaut is a centuries old grape from the Languedoc region of Southern France much like Grenache: light, soft, aromatic, and charmingly fruity. The result is a truly unique variety commonly described as fruity, refreshing, and earthy. Cherry, Banana, smokey wood, and blackberry are typical tastes and aromas.

Some wine snobs may chide you for choosing any South African wine, citing the recent spout of Brettanomyces (yeast contamination) that caused virtually all vintages to taste of chemical-like band-aids. But that problem has come to an end with the first few vintages of 2008 and have remained healthy ever since. Good thing as South African wines have some of the best bang for your buck.

Other, primarily European, wine drinkers will also shun South African wines for their lack of terroir. And while I agree somewhat that South African wines can lack that familiar finish or 'minerally' undertone we've come to expect from certain varietals, it is not valid to ignore an entire countries viticulture simply because they taste different. If you're looking for quality-consistent wine producers to appease all palettes, stay with Spier and Ken Forrester Vineyards.

It's true that Pinotage goes in and out of fashion, but each year new techniques such as the introduction of French and American Oaks, help to tame and cultivate this misunderstood grape variety. Go ahead and stray from the familiar; you'll be surprised how much you enjoy it.

For more information on Pinotage, visit www.pinotage.co..za.