5 Reasons To Raise Your Glass To Pinotage

1. It's proudly South African: our very own indigenous varietal that was created in Stellenbosch when Pinot Noir and Cinsaut were combined for the first time in 1925. (Hermitage was the name of Cinsaut back then.)

2. It goes well with South African food: Pinotage truly sings when paired with the right kind of food; rustic, quintessentially South African cuisine is the perfect match for the wine’s wilder nature. So no cultured, fussy cuisine for Pinotage – the dishes need to be earthy, smoky or spiced such as braaied Karoo lamb or game, or incorporating Cape Malay spices.

3. The cultivar perfectly expresses the New World style: With its bold fruit upfront, Pinotage tends to be honest, down-to-earth and easy-to-drink, embodying the very best qualities of the New World style.

4. South African winemakers have learnt a lot from the grape: Hard work, creativity and daring has led to a new generation of Pinotage wines that can hold their own against red wines across the globe.

5. A little bit of maturing goes a long way: Don't uncork it just yet – if Pinotage has been oaked, it simply gets better and better with time, making your patience well-rewarded.

How to enjoy the two Spier Pinotage's:
1. The easy drinking, laid-back Spier Signature Pinotage is fantastic for an informal braai with friends and family, as it has a wonderful way of cutting through the smoky flavours.
2. The acclaimed Spier 21 Gables Pinotage is a complex, sophisticated red wine at the top of its game. Savour it on its own or with a formal dinner.