Pinotage at 100: Spier’s Johan Jordaan on terroir and the future of South Africa’s signature grape скачать в хорошем качестве

Pinotage at 100: Spier’s Johan Jordaan on terroir and the future of South Africa’s signature grape

In this Wine with Jimmy interview, I’m joined by Johan (Spier’s Cellar Master) for a deep dive into Pinotage as South Africa marks 100 years since its creation. We start with Johan’s story and Spier’s remarkable history (founded in 1692), then unpack how Pinotage behaves in the vineyard and the cellar: drought resilience, ripening challenges, tannin management, fermentation temperatures, oxygen handling, and why “banana / rubber” characters became part of Pinotage’s reputation (and how modern winemaking moved past it). We also explore the role of site and climate (especially coastal influence), the impact of ferricrete/iron-rich soils on fruit expression, and how Spier shapes three distinct Pinotage styles: 21 Gables, Seaward, and Signature. Plus: the future of Pinotage (lighter, brighter, finer tannins), regions to watch (including Hemel-en-Aarde), and why you shouldn’t judge Pinotage by one bottle. If you’ve been to Stellenbosch, have a favourite Pinotage, or want to ask a question, leave a comment below. And if you enjoyed the chat, please like and subscribe.