Certain grapes bring out the best in certain places.

Elegant yet earthy wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes abound in France’s Burgundy region.

Refreshing, subtle Sauvignon Blancs flourish in New Zealand’s Marlborough region on the south island.

Meaty, sophisticated Malbecs make their mark in Argentina and France’s Cahors region.

Each one of these grapes has a distinct, delightful taste you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Add to this list South African red wines made with Pinotage grapes.

While you can find wines made from Pinotage grapes from other places, the vast majority of Pinotage wines come from wineries in South African, where the grape was created almost a century ago.

And even within South Africa, Pinotage wines can taste dramatically different from one part of the country to another.

That was certainly the case with six Pinotage wines from six different wineries.

Some had bright, ripe flavors.

Others were more understated or aromatic, dry and flinty.

Let me add that all of them were outstanding and well worth searching for in your local wine store or online. 

PINOTAGE WINES RECOMMENDED THIS WEEK

2017 Ashbourne Pinotage ($57.99 Suggested Retail Price)

2017 Beaumont Pinotage Twenty Eight Barrels ($34 SRP)

2017 B Vintners Liberte Pinotage Stellenbosch ($21 SRP)

2017 L’Avenir Stellenbosch Single Block Pinotage ($48 SRP)

2018 Beeslaar Stellenbosch Pinotage ($55 SRP)

2017 Sangiro Swartberg Wingerde Piekenierskloof Pinotage ($40 SRP)