Pinotage is 'the' red wine grape of
South Africa, although many South Africans shun the variety because of its polarizing, 'un-European' flavor profile and the care it requires both in the vineyard and the winery. Created in
Stellenbosch in 1925, Pinotage is a crossing of
Pinot Noir and
Cinsaut. The first 'Pinot' half of the name is obvious in its derivation, and was given priority because of the prestige associated with Burgundy's great red grape. The 'age' part is less transparent, however. It was taken from the end of
Hermitage, one of several local names for Cinsaut, and its position as the obscure back end of the crossing's title confirms Cinsaut's lowly
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