These days wine is paired with just about everything from cheese and chocolate, to ice cream and nougat.
If you ask any local what is proudly South African, then certainly biltong will be on top of the list. Equally important in stature is Pinotage that is truly South African in every sense.
When you pair Pinotage and biltong, it is the perfect South African pairing. It is certainly a match made in heaven for many locals and tourists. The Pinotage and Biltong Festival showcased this in style at their annual event that took place at Perdeberg Cellar in Paarl.
This is the one festival dedicated to the Pinotage varietal in all its diversity. A fun-filled event in the Winelands with an Oyster & MCC bar, Perdeberg’s own craft beer range, a kiddies play area, food trucks and last but not least, live music performed by Die Wildberries.
On arrival everyone received a branded Pinotage and Biltong Festival wine glass together with a pairing card. This allowed you to taste 18 different wines, paired with specific biltong sponsored by Afrifoods Biltong Factory. All chosen to highlight the best qualities of both flavours.
The flavour of Pinotage is extemely diverse and we tasted a great range from traditional red Pinotage to a delicious, unique white Pinotage. The range also included Rosé’s, sparkling wine and wonderful blends.
PAIRING LIST
•MELLASAT WHITE PINOTAGE 2017 & BEYERSKLOOF PINOTAGE DRY ROSÉ 2018•
BILTONG PAIRING: Lemon Herb Chicken Biltong
MELLASAT WHITE PINOTAGE 2017
The world’s first White Pinotage “The paradox of this wine is that the eye belies the other senses! Making white wine from red grapes using South Africa’s unique Pinotage grape. Whole bunch pressing prevented the juice from obtaining colour from the skins. Barrel fermented and matured for eleven months with lees stirring gives this wine a slightly creamy, nutty character to balance the tropical fruit and banana flavours.
Home of the White Pinotage was created by the Richardson family in 1996 from the original farm Dekkersvlei which was established in 1693. Located near Paarl, in the heart of South Africa’s famous winelands just 45 mins from Cape Town. The vineyard enjoys a spectacular position under the dramatic Klein Drakenstein mountains together with panoramic views of the Paarl and its famous granite domes.
BEYERSKLOOF PINOTAGE DRY ROSÉ 2018
The Pinotage Rosé from Beyerskloof Wine Farm, is an enjoyably elegant wine, laden with fresh berry notes and charming floral undertones. Displaying an alluring pale coral colour with a vibrant crimson core, the wine delivers a spectacular flavour profile of sweet red berries. Dancing aromas of luscious strawberry, red cherry and candy floss abound the nose. The entry is crisp and clean, revealing layers of sweet red berries which are interwoven between hints of buttery richness. This wine is refreshingly dry and crisp with a lingering aftertaste of cherries.
This farm was originally named Nooitgedacht and when Beyers Truter bought the farm, he became the sixth generation of Beyers to farm this land. This charming family-run farm that rests in the heart of the Cape Winelands overlooking Stellenbosch’s grand Simonsberg mountain – is the quintessential king of Pinotage.
•DUKE OF WELLINGTON WHITE PINOTAGE 2018 & FRANSCHHOEK CELLAR PINNO ROSÉ 2018•
BILTONG PAIRING: Lean Beef Biltong
DUKE OF WELLINGTON WHITE PINOTAGE 2018
A crisp and fresh white Pinotage, presenting strawberry, cherry and red berry aromas on the nose whilst delivering plenty of juicy fruit on the pallet. A uniquely elegant and aromatic profile.
The range, Duke of Wellington, celebrates not only history, but tradition and people too. It is here where a story was born in the detail, and is continued as a salute to Arthur Wellesley, the very first Duke of Wellington. He was an Anglo-Irish soldier and statesman, who served twice as Prime Minister, although his fame really stems from the battle won at Waterloo, where he and his army defeated Napoleon, and put an end to the horrendous Napoleon war.
FRANSCHHOEK CELLAR PINNO ROSÉ 2018 Made from 100% Pinotage. This Rosé is all authenticity and fun, bursting with strawberry and candy floss flavours. A wine that is certain to turn any event into a celebration.
Franschhoek Cellar, a beautiful asset to the Franschhoek wine route, combines the charms of leisurely country life with the elegance of a world-class venue. Franschhoek Cellar is home to an exquisite range of award-winning Methode Cap Classique, white and red wines.
•DELHEIM PINOTAGE ROSÉ 2019 & LANZERAC PINOTAGE ROSÉ 2018•
BILTONG PAIRING: BBQ Biltong
DELHEIM PINOTAGE ROSÉ 2019
Pinotage Rose has a rich salmon colour with a vibrant pink hue. Notes of pomegranate, cranberry with nuances of candy floss and floral notes add to the complexity of this wine. Delicate flavours of red berry fruit linger on the palate and add to the freshness of the wine.
Situated in the prominent ward of Simonsberg within the Stellenbosch region, Delheim is famous as the home of some of the area’s best vineyards with the Sperling family responsible for producing some of its most outstanding wines.
LANZERAC PINOTAGE ROSÉ 2018
This iconic Rosé, held in high regard by many generations of Stellenbosch wine-lovers, boasts gentle aromatic notes of perfume and rose petals, redcurrants and crushed strawberries. Skin contact of only 2-3 hours resulted in a beautiful delicate colour and soft fruit flavours. A dry, perfumed and fruity Rosé that is perfect for easy sipping.
Home to the world’s first bottled Pinotage, Lanzerac’s range of wines have been honed to maintain the excellent quality, a characteristic which the Lanzerac brand has become known for. Nestled in the foothills of the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch, the Lanzerac Wine Estate is flanked by towering mountains and surrounded by rows of lush vineyards, the perfect retreat for all day visitors.
•ANGELS TEARS LE CHOCOLAT PINOTAGE 2017 & SIMONSVLEI JA MOCHA PINOTAGE 2018•
BILTONG PAIRING: Springbok Biltong
ANGELS TEARS LE CHOCOLAT PINOTAGE 2017
This easy drinking red wine is a smooth and medium bodied wine with a heavenly twist of chocolate and generous splashes of ripe plums and red berry fruits.
Grand Provence is the home of Angels Tears wines, a range of heavenly wines that are as unique as the legend of the angels themselves. Only the best grapes are selected from the estate’s vineyards and picked by hand for processing at the acclaimed cellar. After the fermentation process each cultivar goes through a selection process and only the most fitting wines are chosen for the final blends, ensuring consistency in the fruity character of this delightful and easy drinking wine. Each year the winemaker receives this bounty from nature and crafts a new vintage that continues to capture the true essence of Angels Tears in every bottle.
SIMONSVLEI JA MOCHA PINOTAGE 2018 JaMocha originated from the Coffee and Chocolate connection associated with this wine. Its a well balanced fruity wine with expressing overtones of dark chocolate and toasted coffee beans.
Simonsvlei is a wine estate has a wealth of tradition and experience viticulture. Named after the legendary Simon van der Stel, Simonsvlei has ingrained its mark since the 17th Century. Upon such a foundation, Simonsvlei continues to innovate and propel the wine industry forward.
•NEETHLINGSHOF ESTATE PINOTAGE 2017 & PERDEBERG DRYLAND RESOLVE PINOTAGE 2015•
BILTONG PAIRING: Kalahari Wors
NEETHLINGSHOF ESTATE PINOTAGE 2017 Displaying an alluring garnet glow with soft purple edges, the Pinotage from Neethlingshof Wine Estate is a medium-bodied gem bursting with compelling purple fruit flavours. Its fruity bouquet is steeped in fragrant notes of plum, ripe banana, prune and heady cinnamon. Medium-bodied wine with berry flavours and a good tannic backbone.
Neethlingshof Estate lies just outside the town of Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands. An iconic avenue of stone pines marks the entrance to the farm, leading to the traditional “werf” of the estate. Established more than 300 years ago, Neethlingshof Estate boasts some of the best restored and preserved traditional Cape Dutch buildings, leaving visitors with a distinct sense of history and old-world charm.
PERDEBERG DRYLAND RESOLVE PINOTAGE 2015
It is a known fact that bush vine Pinotage vineyards flourish under Dry Land conditions. The dark colour, explicit aromatics and juicy structure of this wine are testament to this traditional way of grape farming. On the nose this wine shows a distinctive spiciness with undertones of fresh cherries, prunes and strawberry cordial. The palate boasts ample fruit and charisma, with a luscious tannin structure which will evolve in taste and texture over the coming years.
Perdeberg Winery is in the foothills of the Perdeberg, or Paardeberg as it was known. Named for the herds of Cape Zebra which roamed the mountain. Perdeberg’s Dry Land Collection was launched a couple of years ago and was a ratchet up from the Classic Collection. Made from grapes which are grown on bush vines, unirrigated, hence the name of the range.
•FLAGSTONE TRUTH TREE PINOTAGE 2017 & BRAMPTON PINOTAGE 2017•
BILTONG PAIRING: Kudu Biltong
FLAGSTONE TRUTH TREE PINOTAGE 2017
Bright ruby red colour. On the nose you get up-front dark berries with dark chocolate and subtle spicy undertones. The palate is surprisingly rich and beautifully balanced. Flavours of darker blackberry and cherry with hints of dark chocolate and spicy oak.
The Truth Tree is the translation of the common name in isiXhosa for an Erythrina or Coral Tree. Distinctive bright red flowers appear in winter and the tree is quite breathtakingly beautiful. It is said that the Xhosa believe that if you tell a lie in the shade of a Truth Tree, terrible things will befall you. As a result, important village council meetings, especially around critical issues and disputes, etc. would always be held in the shade of the Truth Tree.
BRAMPTON PINOTAGE 2017
Deep ruby with a purple tinged rim, revealing bright red and black berry fruit aroma and flavour expressions of mulberry, raspberry and cherry. A ripe, rich style of wine with a fresh finish. Well integrated tannins add intensity and silkiness, backed by the tobacco spiciness typical of Pinotage.
The Brampton Wine Studio sits in the heart of Stellenbosch’s vibey town village. Brampton Wine Studio is the home and cellar door of Brampton Wines. The whole range of Brampton Wines is available to taste and buy.
•DORAN VINEYARDS PINOTAGE 2016 & BELLINGHAM PINOTAGE 2017•
BILTONG PAIRING: Chilli Fat Biltong
DORAN VINEYARDS PINOTAGE 2017
Profound fragrances of dried prunes and wild cherries, complemented by the subtle notes of clove and cinnamon. An elegant, concentrated Pinotage with good ripe fruit and plenty of raspberry flavours.
On a farm that sits in the shadow of South Africa’s Paardeberg Mountain, the good folks of Doran Vineyards perform their craft of making excellent wines. One can expect an impeccable product and good value for money.
BELLINGHAM PINOTAGE 2017
An intense dark red middle with a ruby red rim plotting sweet spices, plums and mulberries with hints of vanila on the nose. Hints of ripe and juicy raspberry, strawberry and black cherry flavours are supported by wel-integrated oak spice on the palate with an exciting tannin structure.
Nestled between the slopes of the Groot Drakenstein mountains in the Franschhoek Valley, lies the Bellingham Homestead. The Homestead Series brings homage to the Bellingham approach to excellence, innovation and quality winemaking through region specific sourcing of grapes and showcasing the most interesting varietals South Africa has to offer.
•HILL&DALE PINOTAGE 2017 & OLD ROAD FAT MAN PINOTAGE 2017•
BILTONG PAIRING: Droë wors
HILL&DALE PINOTAGE 2017
Deep ruby with youthful purple trim. Complex coming together of red cherries, dark, ripe plums and shrivelled prunes with fruit cake-like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. In the background, hints of mint, white pepper and earthy nuts add to the overall appeal. Medium-full in structure, the wine is friendly and supple with gentle, though ample tannins, a sweet, rounding fullness with an elegantly-dry finish.
The name, Hill&Dale, is a direct translation from the Afrikaans “Bergendal” which was a previous range of wines produced at Stellenzicht Vineyards in the 1990s. Hill&Dale wines are made at the Stellenzicht cellar from grapes harvested from vineyards around Stellenbosch, arguably the most famous wine region in South Africa, known for its exceptional quality.
OLD ROAD FAT MAN PINOTAGE 2017
This captivating Pinotage is packed with layers of succulent red fruit, oak spice and supple tannins. It is generous and inviting on entry, with juicy red berries and plums with hints of milk chocolate, oregano and spice. This is a clean, smooth, medium-bodied wine that is refreshing with a dry finish.
The Old Road Wine Co. Originals range recalls the stories of the legendary characters who shaped the Franschhoek community in its early years. The Fat Man was an institution at the local train station, where he would greet new and familiar faces with a friendly smile and interesting anecdote, always accompanied by his loyal hound.
•BALANCE SWEET TEMPTATION NV & BADSBERG RED JEREPIGO 2018•
BILTONG PAIRING: Chilli Bacon Biltong
BALANCE SWEET TEMPTATION NV
A salmon pink colour with sweet fruit flavours of raspberries, cherries and strawberries. Enlivened by bright acidiry with a beautiful balance.
Balance is one of South Africa’s leading hip, hop and happening wine ranges. This modern, relative brand is for today’s global generation. It is value for money with a competitive price structure. It has an element of nature conservation initiative and presents with consistent quality and packaging with a difference.
BADSBERG RED JEREPIGO 2018
The wine is dark red in colour. On the nose you get red cherry and tomato jam. Full round feel with rich berry and jammy plum flavours. This wine has excellent maturing potential and is made from 100% Pinotage.
Badsberg Wine Cellar lies in the picturesque Breedekloof, at the foot of the well known Badsberg Mountain, from which the cellar derives its name. The cellar is situated a mere 800m from the Goudini Spa Holiday Resort, 20 km from Worcester and plus minus 80 km from Cape Town.
The festival was painted with shades of purple and showcased Pinotage in a variety of flavours, styles and colours. A festival of feathers and glitter galore, where the wine is flowing and the people are merry.
Categories: Cultivar, Paardeberg, Paarl, Perdeberg Winery, Pinotage, Region
