Pinotage diversity celebrated with Lanzerac menu

From deep dark red to sweet and sparkling to white and ice cold, the diversity of South Africa’s home-grown grape varietal Pinotage, is continuously being tested as winemakers try out new styles. This diversity was celebrated with a mouth-watering menu created by Lanzerac Wine Estate’s Executive Chef Stephen Fraser to launch the 2017 Pinotage and Biltong Festivals.

According to Stephen it’s a privilege to work with these interesting wines and he feels honoured to host the lunch, especially as Lanzerac has such a rich Pinotage history and heritage and it being the Estate’s flagship varietal.

The wines chosen to highlight the varietal’s versatility with the menu are Perdeberg Sparkling Rosé, L’Avenir Glenrosé, Overhex Survivor Offspring Cape Blend, Lanzerac Pinotage, Wellington Wines True to Terroir Low Alcohol Pinotage and Mellasat White Pinotage. The “Pinotage Diversity 6-Pack” will be for sale by Wine-of-the-Month-club from early April.

The Pinotage Association is supporting the Festivals and committee member Etienne Louw (winemaker at Altydgedacht Estate) shares some of his insights. “I feel the more uses and diversity of styles there are for Pinotage, the better for the varietal. Pinotage Rosé especially makes brilliant use of the grape, as the red fruit in the varietal just lends itself to a “pink” wine. The Cape Blend category shows what a good blending partner the varietal makes as well. ”

Boschendal’s The Werf Butchery is bringing their pasture-fed Black Angus Biltong and Droëwors flavoured with natural herbs and spices to the festival. Dad’s Choice Biltong and Braai features products personally chosen by owner Jannie Kotzé, who has a busy store in Somerset Mall and a popular mobile Biltong Bar, which is a well-known sight at many big events around the Western Cape.

The Festivals take place on Saturday, 22 April and Sunday, 23 April 2017 at L’Avenir Wine Estate just outside Stellenbosch, and on 14 and 15 October at Leriba Hotel in Centurion, Gauteng.

The participating wineries for the L’Avenir Estate event are: Altydgedacht Estate, Anura Vineyards, Badsberg Wine Cellar Beyerskloof, Doolhof Wine Estate, Flagstone Winery, Kaapzicht Wine Estate, Knorhoek Wines, Lanzerac Wine Estate, L’Avenir Wine Estate, Leipzig Winery, Mellasat Vineyards, Namaqua Wines, Overhex Wines International, Perdeberg Wines, Simonsvlei Winery, Stellenbosch Vineyards, Vriesenhof Vineyards, Wellington Wines, Windmeul Kelder.

Tickets @ R200 pp includes a branded crystal wine glass and a pairing card for the Pinotage and Biltong tastings. Tickets at plankton.mobi or computicket