Cullinan View 2005 by Robertson Winery

We spent the weekend at the Festival of History. There were hundreds and hundreds of historical reeanactors and we watched battles between Vikings and Normans, Parliamentarians against Royalists (pictured left Sir Thomas, Lord Fairfax commanding the Parliamentarian Army, surveys the battlefied), First World War German Triplanes strafing a British Army patrol, Roman legions drill and more. There were encampments representing forces from the Bronze Age up to the 2nd World War, even a Boer fighter's camp. There were mediaeval smithies pumping leather bellows to forge iron tools, knights jousting, birds of prey, jesters and many wood fires cooking everything from whole pigs to bread. And the constant sounds of explosions from cannons, mortars, flint-lock guns, maxims and massed musket fire. There were historical workshops and talks by eminent historians.

But we found no wine at the Festival other than Elderberry Port (are they allowed to call it that?) and other fruit wines in the souvenir marquee. So back at the hotel I scanned the wine list with a sinking heart, and settled on Cullinan View 2005 Pinotage. This is a brand that I have only seen in hotels and the last time I ordered it it many years ago, it- the 97 vintage - was very disappointing.

However this 2005 vintage wine (Wine of Origin Robertson) was delightful; light bodied with an abundance of raspberry fruit flavours. Really shows how good even basic Pinotage is these days. The number A280 on the back label shows it was produced by Robertson Winery. Well done chaps!

We enjoyed it so much that we ordered another bottle the following night. Cost £15.95 but a quick Google shows the price varies greatly depending how rapacious the markup is.

Parliamentary cavalry attack Royalist pikemen

WWI British soldiers relax in their trench

Pinotage - "It's a South African Variety"

It is time we stopped automatically referring to the parentage of Pinotage.

I recently spent some time listening in at various Cape tasting rooms and the usual mantra when pouring Pinotage is “This is Pinotage – it is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut,” and sometimes the the Hermitage – Cinsaut connection is thrown in to explain the name.

The excuse is that Pinotage is a new variety to many people. But those same people had to taste Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz for the first time in the past and it is certain that the pourer just announced the variety without mentioning that they are crosses* and telling them the names of the parent vines.

What we are doing is confusing a great many people without enlightening them.


How many casual wine drinkers even understand what a ‘cross’ means? A look around the internet quickly demonstates how many visitors to Cape wine lands have departed with the idea that Pinotage is a blend or mix of wines.

Some winemakers like to say their Pinotage shows some Pinot Noir or Cinsaut characteristics – but is that what the tasting room visitor ought to be looking for?

Shouldn’t they be experiencing a new variety and enjoying it for its own flavours, not feeling bad because they can’t taste the Pinot Noir – and how many of us know what Cinsaut tastes like?

I’d like to see Pinotage being introduced as a South African variety – and leave it at that. Of course, if there are questions about its antecedents they should be answered. But let’s not throw all that confusing baggage at new drinkers.

Some quotes from people sufficiently keen on wine to blogged their thoughts:

"There's even a special "Cape Wine" blend called a Pinotage, which is a blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsault". -- Karen Oakley

"South Africa produces the Pinotage, a blend of the Pinot Noir and Cinsault grapes" --
"veteran drinks journalist" Rick Lyke

"assemblage des cepages Pinot noir et cinsault" -- Adrien

"Pinotage is a mix between pinot noir and Cinsault". -- 'helping candidates who are studying sommelier exams' World Wine Delivery

"supposedly originally a graft of Cinsaut vines onto Pinot Noir"-- KeithF



"a somewhat accidental graft of Pinot Noir with Cinsaut" -- FoodSnob

So, lets say 'It's Pinotage -- it's a South African variety'.

And go no further.

* Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah/Shiraz is a cross of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. When was the last time you heard a winemaker saying their Cabernet Sauvignon was showing its Sauvignon Blanc characteristics?