The Big Five Pinotage
The Big Five Pinotage is a unique and exciting South African red wine that packs a punch of bold, juicy fruit flavors. It offers an intense, robust palate with notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, and plum, complemented by subtle hints of spice and earthy undertones. The complexity of this wine is sure to please any wine lover's palate!
What Makes This Wine Popular?
This wine is a show-stopper! From the first sip, you'll be enchanted by its robust flavor and smooth finish. The Big Five Pinotage is a South African classic that's become well-known for its unique blend of five varietals: Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cinsault. The combination of these grapes creates an unforgettable balance of fruitiness and spice that will tantalize your taste buds. It's no wonder why this wine has become so popular - it's truly one of a kind!
A Little Trivia
The winery that produces The Big Five Pinotage, is owned by a family of five siblings who all have their own unique roles in the business. They have a tongue-in-cheek nickname for each other, based on their respective roles in the winery: “The Czar of Corking,” “The Princess of Pruning,” “The Duke of Decanting,” “The Baroness of Bottling,” and “The Queen of Quality Control.”
History of This Wine
The Big Five Pinotage is a South African red wine made from the Pinotage grape variety. It was created in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University. He crossed two varieties of grapes, Cinsault and Pinot Noir, to create the new variety. The Big Five Pinotage is named after the five most iconic wild animals of South Africa: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo.
The Big Five Pinotage has been produced since its inception in 1925 and has become one of South Africa's most popular wines. It is known for its intense fruit flavors and aromas, as well as its deep ruby color. The wine has won numerous awards over the years and is widely available in both South Africa and abroad.
Notable vintage years include 2008, which was awarded a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge; 2009, which was awarded a silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards; 2010, which was awarded a gold medal at the Veritas Awards; 2011, which was awarded a silver medal at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards; 2012, which was awarded a bronze medal at the International Wine Challenge; 2013, which was awarded a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards; 2014, which was awarded a silver medal at the Veritas Awards; 2015, which was awarded a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards; 2016, which was awarded a bronze medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards; 2017, which was awarded a gold medal at both the Veritas Awards and Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards; 2018, which won Best Red Blend Trophy at both Veritas Awards and Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards; 2019 ,which won Best Red Blend Trophy again at both Veritas Awards and Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards.
What To Serve With This Wine?
The Big Five Pinotage is a full-bodied South African red wine with notes of dark fruit and spice. It pairs well with grilled meats, stews, game dishes, and rich sauces. It also goes well with hard cheeses like cheddar and blue cheese. Other great pairings include roasted vegetables, mushrooms, olives, cured meats like salami or prosciutto, and hearty pastas.