Underdog Grape · South Africa

Pinotage

Pronounced PEE-noh-tahzh

South Africa's signature grape is the most unfairly maligned red in the wine world. A 1925 crossing with a bad reputation — and, in the right hands, a smoky, structured red worth defending.

Tasting profile
Full tasting notes live in the deep dive.
Where it grows
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Where to buy
For specific bottles and where to buy them, read the deep dive.

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The region

South Africa

If you like

Wines like Pinotage

Pinotage: common questions

What wine is Pinotage similar to?
If you usually drink Zinfandel, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or Mourvèdre, Pinotage is the underdog swap to try. Other lesser-known grapes in the same style: Maratheftiko, Mavrodaphne, Yiannoudi.
Read the deep diveIn Defense of Pinotage

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