South Africa’s top 10 fastest-growing grape plantings
26th September, 2016
by
Lauren Eads
1. Pinotage
2011: 6,535.26 ha
2015: 7,364.33 ha
Number of hectares added: 829.07
% change: 12.7%
Pinotage was created in South Africa in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University, by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsault, which at the time was known as Hermitage in South Africa. Perold had been attempting to combine the best qualities of the robust Cinsault (Hermitage) with Pinot Noir, a grape that makes great wine but can be difficult to grow.
The variety gained 829.07 hectares in plantings between 2011 and 2015, making it the country’s current fastest-growing grape variety, way ahead of Ruby Cabernet which added just 213 hectares. While wines produced from the variety have in the past been criticised for a “burnt rubber” aroma and issues with quality control, a new wave of Pinotage is now starting to emerge as winemakers work to better understand their terroir and handle the grape with more finesse.
Fun fact: It is also known as Perold’s HermitagexPinot, however rumour has it that another name, Herminoir, was also considered.