Chapter 20 Carmenere, Malbec and Pinotage

Question 1

What are the main characteristics of Carmenere, Malbec and Pinotage?

Answer 1

Carmenere
Black grape variety widely grown in Chile. Native to Bordeaux…..it needs long sunny growing season to ripen successfully. It needs the sunniest sites in the Central Valley. Typically deep coloured with medium to high acidity, high tannins and full body. Often matured in oak barrels to soften the tannins and add flavour. Can produce outstanding examples. Can be a single varietal or blended with CS or M.

Malbec
Argentina’s most important black grape, also a native of Bordeaux. Needs a warm climate to ripen, typically produces deeply coloured full bodied wines with high tannins and flavours of black fruits. Matured in new oak to soften the tannins and to add spicy flavours.can produce very good and outstanding examples. Common to blend with CS and M but is frequently seen as a single varietal.

Pinotage
P specifically developed for the warm SA climate. Closely related to Pinot Noir and produces wines with similar red fruit flavours. Grown throughout the Western Cape. Typically has medium tannins and high acidity. Styles range from fruity medium bodied wines to full bodied with concentrated red fruit flavours. Often produced in contact with oak. Can be a single varietal or blended with CS and M. Known as Cape Blends.