While Argentina has Malbec, and Australia has Shiraz, South Africa’s signature grape is Pinotage, an indigenous cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. It’s a full-bodied, inky red wine, with some distinct flavours that make it an interesting wine for food pairing.
You’ll discover deep dark fruit flavours on the palate: blackberry and black cherry are prominent. It also has a strong meaty/earthy side, with notes of tobacco smoke, leather and dark chocolate. Occasionally there will also be notes of tropical fruits, bananas, or acetone, the latter being a bit of a divisive flavour (some like it, and others think it’s a fault).
Pinotage is a big, tannic red wine, though, like Zinfandel, it has relatively low levels of acid. With its lively and slightly unusual fruit flavours, Pinotage is best paired with flavourful and hearty dishes.
Meat That Pairs Well With Pinotage
Meat is probably the best food to enjoy alongside a Pinotage. Foods that are full of protein and fat will absorb the heavy tannins, and let the funky flavours shine through. For that reason, it’s also great to combine meat with flavourful sauces, such as barbecue or plum.
Pinotage will be best with heavier meats, such as lamb, venison, goat, beef or pork chops. If they have some char from the barbecue, that will just add to the culinary experience. For specific meat and sauce pairings, try pork with barbecue sauce, lamb and mint sauce, or beef with teriyaki.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Pinotage
In a similar fashion to meat, cheese with strong flavours will pair best with Pinotage. Cheese is naturally very fatty, so it’s a great choice for pairing with tannic wine. Look for piquant cheeses like Gouda, Camembert, Gruyere, aged Cheddar, or Manchego. Avoid anything too delicate, as the vibrant flavours of the wine can overpower the cheese.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Pinotage
To maximize enjoyment, we recommend pairing Pinotage with funky, fatty appetizers. Avoid things like crudités, and look for dishes like BBQ wings, bruschetta with ham, dried meats, or cheesy stuffed mushrooms. Pinotage is quite a heavy wine to enjoy before dinner, but if it is paired with foods that can bring out its range of flavours, it’s certain to get your mouth watering.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Pinotage
The best way to pair Pinotage and vegetables is through grilling. The charred, smoky flavours will complement the tobacco elements of the wine beautifully. You should also lean towards hearty and earthy vegetables that can stand up to the body of Pinotage. Roasting often brings out the savory side of vegetables, so think about a simple roasted sweet potato or baked and stuffed potatoes. Other great vegetables to try are beetroot, eggplant, peppers or mushrooms.
Herbs That Pair Well With Pinotage
Pinotage works best with herbs that are either fresh and green, or sweet and spicy. If you know you want to break out the Pinotage, try cooking something with these herbs and spices: basil, coriander, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla or nutmeg.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Pinotage
As a heavy, tannic red wine, Pinotage is a risky choice for pairing with fish, and it is best avoided. You should also avoid anything that can be overpowered by the flavour of the wine, like mozzarella cheese or shellfish.
Best Foods To Eat With Pinotage
In short, you should try and pair Pinotage with hearty foods and pungent flavours. These are five solid choices for pairing:
- Barbecued Meats
- Grilled Vegetables
- Beef with teriyaki
- Pork with apple/barbecue sauce
- Lamb with mint sauce
