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.
This diversity was celebrated with a special menu created by Lanzerac Wine Estate’s executive chef, Stephen Fraser, to launch the 2017 Pinotage and Biltong festivals.
According to Stephen it’s a privilege to work with these interesting wines and he feels honoured to host the lunch, especially as Lanzerac has such a rich pinotage history and heritage and it being the estate’s flagship varietal.
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, Wellington Wines True to Terroir Low Alcohol Pinotage and Mellasat White Pinotage.
This Pinotage diversity six-pack will be for sale by Wine-of-the-Month Club from early April.
The Pinotage Association is supporting the festivals, and committee member Etienne Louw, winemaker at Altydgedacht Estate, shares some of his insights.
“I feel the more uses and diversity of styles there are for pinotage, the better for the varietal. Pinotage rosé especially makes brilliant use of the grape, as the red fruit in the varietal just lends itself to a ‘pink’ wine.
“The Cape blend category shows what a good blending partner the varietal makes as well.”
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 chosen by owner Jannie Kotzé, who has a store in Somerset Mall, and a mobile biltong bar, which trades at events around the Western Cape.
The festivals take place on Saturday April 22 and Sunday April 23 at L’Avenir Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch, and on Saturday October 14 .
The participating wineries for the L’Avenir Estate event 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, and Windmeul Kelder.
Tickets cost R200, which includes a wine glass and a pairing card for the pinotage and biltong tastings.
Book at www.plankton.mobi. or Computicket.