Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2011
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The Simonsig vineyard lies Northwest of Stellenbosch and is privately owned by the Malan family. It produces some of the finest red and white wines as well as a sparkling wine made by the Cap Classique Methode – the local Champenoise. The Stellenbosch region is recognized as the best wine producing area in South Africa and lies 45 kilometres east of Cape Town.
The first Malan who came to South Africa in 1688 was a French Huguenot. At the Cape of Good Hope, then under Dutch rule, he was given land to plant new vineyards. He subsequently settled near Stellenbosch which became famous for its quality wines. It is still known as the champion wine region of South Africa.
The Simonsig Estate vineyard stretches out over 211 hectares around the northern side of Stellenbosch at the foot of the Simons mountain. It is generally acknowledged as the largest private producer of estate wines in South Africa.
Simonsig produces numerous varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage.
South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage is a distinctively earthy and rustic variety. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents! Today it is popular in South Africa both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. Somm Secret—The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau. The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage.
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.