A Lakewood Ranch wine themed party can be a lot of fun and informative. March may still be winter up north but here in Parrish it is more like spring. The beautiful mix of warm days and cool nights encourages outdoor activities and lighter bodied wines.
The term “body” in wine refers to its weight and feel in the mouth. Consider the difference in “body” style between whole milk and iced tea; one is heavy and creamy while the other is light and crisp. Most people don’t realize just how important this factor is in the decisions we make about which wines we most enjoy.
When the weather becomes warm it is only natural for us to gravitate toward wines that are served cool, with a lighter, more refreshing style. This is why it is important to know which wines are lighter bodied – particularly if you generally prefer red wines.
The most renowned light-bodied red wine is Pinot Noir. However, it has a very friendly cousin who hails from South Africa named Pinotage, whose acquaintance you may wish to make.
Pinotage is a red wine varietal that is made into what has become South Africa’s signature wine. As Shiraz is to Australia, Pinotage is to South Africa. It was bred there in 1925 as a cross between two of Burgundy’s most renowned grapes, Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, and typically produces deep red wines with smoky, brambly and earthy flavors.
Pinotage is often blended, and sometimes made into fortified wine (like port) and even sparklers. The grape is a viticultual cross, not a hybrid. In plant breeding a cross is a cultivar, which is the result of crossing two or more cultivars within the same species, while a hybrid is a cultivar bred from members of different species. Both of Pinotage’s ancestors are Vitis Vinifera.
Although its origins are in South Africa, other nations have begun to successfully produce attractive vintages. You can now find Pinotage growing in Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, California and Virginia. Recently, German winemakers have begun experimenting with the grape.
Pinotage is made in several styles: young, light, and fruity, like Beaujolais; deep and rich like a Cotes du Rhone or Zinfandel; or elegant and restrained like Bordeaux; these are the most common. There are also a few rare ‘blush’ versions.
So what should you expect in a red Pinotage? Good depth of flavor, a uniquely fruity and refreshing wine that is perfect in warmer weather. Some tasters remark on a banana-like taste, but bramble fruits and a velvet texture is a more common experience.
Pinotage is an excellent dinner wine, producing significant levels of alcohol providing both complexity and structure. But – like Zinfandel – there is no old-world style for winemakers to model after, so opening a bottle from a new winery is very much an adventure.
Generally speaking the smaller the defined terroir the better the grapes. Some wines actually list a specific vineyard, because the vineyard has developed a reputation for producing grapes of spectacular quality. The problem is that everybody competes for the best grapes one way or another so prices rise accordingly.
A list of top Pinotage producers that are readily available at your local wine stores include:
2014 David Frost South Africa Pinotage – $12.99
A medium-bodied wine with ripe red berry aromas with a smooth palate of plums, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and hints of liquorice and spice.
2014 Nederberg South Africa Pinotage – $11.99
The concentrated palate is immediately recognizable as Pinotage, showing a lovely spicy character with an animal, cheesy edge. Very savory, interesting and unusual, and a great example of the wonders of Pinotage.
2002 Spier 21 Gables Stellenbosch Pinotage – $29.99
On the nose notes of black cherries and hints of spice with dark chocolate. The palate displays loads of ripe cherry, berry and plum. Velvety tannins provide balance that leads to an opulent and lengthy finish.
One of the joys of Pinotage is that there are many inexpensive examples available at your local wine stores.
Because of the wide variety of styles of Pinotage it is important that you first taste the wine before attempting to match it with your favorite entrée. However, it is safe to say that Pinotage goes beautifully with most grilled meats, which once again makes it superb for the lanai during spring season.
So by all means, remember to seek out this wonderful varietal when you pull the cover off the backyard barbeque. You’ll enjoy a totally new array of flavors while having something unique and new to share with your neighbors.