We’re excited to feature a unique varietal with an equally unique origin story. You may have tried wine from Italy or Portugal, but South African wine doesn’t come along quite as often! Our Indululu Pinotage is a traditional South African varietal - a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grapes.
Our Wine Concierge Team and Sommeliers work hard to provide variety and culture to your box. South African wines have made a surge in popularity within the last 10 years or so, popping up on wine shelves around the United States. We’re proud to offer Indulu wines to continue the tradition, history, and culture of South African winemaking.
South African Wine
When it comes to South African wine, the majority is produced in the Western Cape region. This South African province is bordered by both the Atlantic and Indian oceans, and while the coastline draws tourists to the area, it also uniquely affects wine production.
Westerly winds are cooled by the Benguela Current of the Atlantic, while prevailing winds from the southeast known as the ‘Cape Doctor’ are cooled by the Agualhas Current of the Indian Ocean. The Benguela Current and the Agualhas Current meet in the area between Cape Point and Cape Agualhas.
The Western Cape is also rich with mountain ranges that affect the soil and mesoclimates, ultimately contributing to the viticulture.
Within the Western Cape, Stellenbosch is a region known for South Africa’s signature Pinotage variety. Though it is the second oldest settlement after the capital, Cape Town, it is perhaps the most well known South African winemaking region.
Indulu Wines
Indulu Wines are time capsules of the Western Cape. These wines capture and preserve the essence of grapes at the time of harvest, just as South Africa’s ancient specimens have left an imprint of themselves in fossil form.
The Pinotage Variety
Pinotage is the flagship grape of South Africa, originating in 1925. It’s a full-bodied red wine with medium tannins and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and fig.
This unique red is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. However, just because it’s made with Pinot Noir doesn’t mean it tastes like a Pinot Noir! It’s more dense and savory than Pinot Noir with a distinctly higher alcohol content. Pinotages usually have a noticeably high ABV, sometimes over 15%.
Indulu Pinotage
Our Indulu Pinotage represents its homeland well, showing dark fruity notes of blackberry and plum alongside aromas of campfire smoke.
This South African wine comes in on the higher end of the alcohol content spectrum with a 14.1% ABV.
Pairings
This deep, high-ABV wine demands equally rich and flavorful dishes. Skip the seafood, and pair this Pinotage with roasted meats, BBQ, or roasted veggies. Traditional BBQ sauces bode well with a Pinotage, but so do teriyaki or plum sauces.
IN VINO FINITO
This unique South African varietal is a must-try that’s tough to find anywhere else. . Want to try it in your next box? Reach out to our Wine Concierge team at concierge@brightcellars.com! And if you’re not a subscription member, reach out to deals@brightcellars.com to buy it by the box!
