Pinotage Wine Tasting – Episode #590

December 4, 2008

South Africa is very proud of the Pinotage grape and today Gary Vaynerchuk tries 3 value driven Pinotage wines on the thunder Show to see how they fare.

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Comments on this episode(214) Leave a comment ›

“You had a pinotage recently on one of your shows and I had to go out a…” by Bobbie Smith
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Wines tasted in this episode:

Nederberg PinotageSouth African Pinotage
2007 Lion Hunt PinotageSouth African Pinotage
2006 False Bay PinotageSouth African Pinotage

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

The Fort Mason Party

214 Responses

December 4, 2008

KenP
!st!
December 4, 2008

Jim
I’m pretty sure that’s not how you pronounce pinotage. Does anyone know the right way to say it?
December 4, 2008

Sumit
3rd, False BOY? Come on! Take another look at the label. Why didn’t Mott help you out there
December 4, 2008

DrEdwardo
In the top 5 again!

Now to watch!

Edwardo
December 4, 2008

Timinspokane
Would have been number 1 but the comment link wasn’t up! That sucks! I was robbed!

ok, ok… interesting show. By the way, it is spelled “pinotage”, not “pintoage”!

All of the pinotages I have had (hmmmm about two of them) have sucked, so it is good to hear there are some interesting ones out there.

QOTD – I think of apartheit and Nelson Mandela when I think of South Africa. Now, however, I will think of banana peel wrapped pennies in the microwave. How obscure!

Peas….. T
December 4, 2008

Jamison
1st time post! WOOHOO…no more lurking.

QOTD – Diamonds
December 4, 2008

Jamison
Hey Timinspokane, I am in Spokane also…weird.
December 4, 2008

EP
Mott – need to correct the spelling on the title…..
December 4, 2008

LennyR
False Boy…sounds more like a bad movie with Carrot Top
December 4, 2008

Braden From Canada
Great show GV. I am always looking for something new and exciting and not too expensive and will definitely be running out to try some Pinotage.

Have you ever considered doing a coffee tasting? I would be interested to see how your palate reacts to various gourmet coffees like Kona or Jamacia Blue Mountain…

QOTD… Dave Matthews
December 4, 2008

Neil
Pintoage or Pinotage, let’s work the whole thing out.

QOTD: Charlize Theron
December 4, 2008

terroirist
WOTD- Apartheid.. I have always enjoyed Pinotage. I’ve had a few stinkers, however for the most part for the price I thought they have always delivered, I am fond of the Westerland which runs around 11 bucks. The Kanonkop (more pricey) is also tasty.. It’s true as I always enjoyed them tremendously my friend always said they taste like “dirty feet.” One I would avoid would be the Serengheti .. It’s sweet!? common’ this suck big time.. anyhow.. Try some out.. they deliver.

aka Mike in Nebraska
December 4, 2008

Tom T.
Word association???? How about word pronunciation.

QOTD coffee.
December 4, 2008

EP
QOTD – Nelson Mandela
December 4, 2008

BobZ
Have only had one pinotage (J Winery), but I really liked it. I’m gonna check out some more for sure.

QOTD – North Africa
December 4, 2008

crank
I’m in.
Pinotage, Pintoage, its all the same to me.
December 4, 2008

italianwinelover
QOTD: Nelson Mandella – Apartheid. sad state of affairs.

Not a big fan of Pinotage…recently tried the 2006 Indaba, not bad but no repeat. Maybe a different vintage would be better like you said.
December 4, 2008

Jay Campbell
Two things.

1) That’s awesome that you did a show on this because I was in a wine shop the other day and the dude couldn’t tell me a thing about Pinotage.

2) You were absolutely swimming in that shirt.
December 4, 2008

jimkay
Had the Southern Right Pinotage earlier this year. nice wine, didn’t get the burnt rubber taste people talk about with Pinotage
December 4, 2008

Patt
Pintoage Wine Tasting – Episode #590 ???

Pinotage, maybe???
December 4, 2008

Karl Laczko
Nice to see some S.A. appreciation, good show.

QOTD – Nelson Mandela, Boers, The Cape, good wine!
December 4, 2008

Susan
Karl?????? Karl who?????? RU Still alive????????? Ken P??????????? WOW!!!!!!!!! This must be some episode……….. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4, 2008

manonthemoon
Pinotage, I think I just threw up a little bit.

QOTD: Like others I think of apartheit and wine that you couldn’t pay me to drink (besides the De Torem, which is okay).
December 4, 2008

Susan
Mix it up!!!!!!!!!!! ……………………….Mix it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!
December 4, 2008

my2cents
Thanks for the heads up on a wine I have not tried yet.

Is it pronounced Pino-Tage’? At that price point they sell it at Tar-get’.

I also heard false “boy”, does sound like a b movie. Thankfully it was a real wine and not a false one. Even if banana and wine were mentioned in the same sentence. Eeew!

QOTD – Lethal weapon 2 1989. The bad guys were white “south Africans”.
December 4, 2008

Susan
Pinotage!!!! Hum…………………………..might want to use spell check!!!!!!!!
December 4, 2008

Reeve
I think Gary may have tasted a few too many wines before this show… just saying.
December 4, 2008

Cameron W
Cool show, I’ll have to try a Pinotage sometime here.

QOTD: Nelson Mandela
December 4, 2008

Niklas
This was fantastic episode GV, thanks! Pinotage is really one of the best grapes when it is been handled right in vineyards and cellars. The aging potential is huge for Pinotage. And please, more South Africa, the best red wines come from there with reasonable price level – so far.
December 4, 2008

damon
love the word assosiation

gotta go with

WILD
December 4, 2008

Susan
Gary & Chris, LOVE the energy in this episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4, 2008

Withnail
QOTD: Crime
December 4, 2008

Davo
Boekenhoutskloof makes a nice, affordable Syrah and a Pinotage with mucho banana.

QOTD: Gold
December 4, 2008

Smahlatz
QOTD : Overrated. Thinking of their Rugby and cricket teams, they though they would beat everyone after apartheid – they were very good, but not as good as they thought.
December 4, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: Ingrid
December 4, 2008

CindyW
QOTD: after discarding wine & pinotage, Nelson Mandela

I’ve enjoyed most of the pinotages I’ve tried, some more than others (like any wine). We’ve got 4 or 5 in the cellar — maybe I’ll pop one for dinner tonight.
December 4, 2008

Smahlatz
Oh yeah – False Boy?? what’s going on Gary? That could be false bAy – anyway, I found it highly amusing
December 4, 2008

Marshall
Three Mistakes
1.Pinotage is a crossing, not a clone.
2.It’s “False Bay,” not Boy.
3.One of the wines is a 2007.
December 4, 2008

Bobbito
Pinotage? That has to be Kanonkop, in any vintage, and it’ll put all the band-aid and burnt rubber naysayers in their place…
December 4, 2008

Dave
qotd: psychedelic. i’ve got some totally tripped out records of psychedelic tunes from west and south africa. very cool james brown on acid kind of stuff.

i’ve developed a fondness for pinotage over the past couple years. i’m glad you brought some values to my/our attention.
December 4, 2008

Shawn_944
Great show loved the energy GV, it was good to see a pinotage episode, I have a single bottle of 01 Allee Bleue Farms (South Africa) Pinotage sitting in my cellar, now thinking I should pop it soon and taste away!
December 4, 2008

Sonnenuhr
Thanks for introducing and recommending these great new wines. Case order has been placed Actually the third one of the day.

Recession at WL, I don’t think so…

QOTD: Kruger National Park
December 4, 2008

Mark
Hahaha, “False Boy”.

Really enjoyed the show – I love it when wines from South Africa are featured. I’m a little sad to see that value wines are again the focus, understandable in the current economic climate, but it seems that SA, Aussie, Italy and South America almost always get overlooked on WLTV when more expensive wines are tasted. There are some world-class $30+ wines from South Africa, how about a tasting of them instead of only the Californian and French “big guns”?

QOTD: Braais (barbecues), apartheid, Mandela, crime, Cape Town
December 4, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
Gary, I will reiterate that pinotage is a cross, not a clone. It didn’t sound like these examples are as funky (barnyard with manure, sweat, game) as the ones I am used to.
qotd: disgusting political situation
Thanks for another great episode.
December 4, 2008

sharon
Miriam Makeba, the Click Song, Nelson Mandela and his bad wife Minnie, Surfing
December 4, 2008

Kevin K
QOTD: Nelson Mandela.
December 4, 2008

Jayhitek
QOTD: Aparthied.
But if I was given a 2nd try.. Goats Do Roam 2005 Villages
December 4, 2008

Dr T in NC
qotd — odd flavors

I have to say, over the last 12 years or so I’ve not had a SA wine I’ve really liked, and that was esp true of Pinotage (just don’t like rotten Kiwi as a red wine flavor) Still, as you showed, there can be exceptions
December 4, 2008

JigglyJock
QOTD: Peanut Butter and Jelly Time.
December 4, 2008

Brock
QOTD: Goats Do Roam – any of their wines are great
December 4, 2008

Griz4life
I just checked the local distributors in Nashville and counted that they sell 4-FOUR Pinotages. That’s it. Not much selection there…
December 4, 2008

Toni
QOTD: Ubuntu
December 4, 2008

Rick D
I have never had a Pinotage….looks like I need some expanding.

QOTD: Charlize Theron, yeah baby!!! OK and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
December 4, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD…..Pinotage Only had a couple but I have enjoyed them both.
December 4, 2008

Gina
QOTD: My beautiful friend Dana that moved there.

Great episode as usual and don’t worry Gary, you’re “tough” enough!

Gina from Austin
December 4, 2008

Marc-China Wine Tours
QOTD: Stellenbosch
December 4, 2008

HuskerJamie
QOTD: Nelson Mandela.
December 4, 2008

marco
Loved the show. Great to see some new/different varietals. I’m off to my local wine shop tonight, and if they have any pinotage, I’m buying it! Thanks for always expanding my wine intellect.

QOTD: Apartheid…and now pinotage.
December 4, 2008

Deano
Great episode Gary…I think I have had one pinotage in my life and I dont remember how it was…..I will be on the lookout for some now.

QOTD:
-Safari animals
December 4, 2008

ChrisR
Another correction: Your episode title says “Pintoage” instead of “Pinotage”. Whoops!
December 4, 2008

JimChem
Good show! I haven’t had a Pinotage in a long tine. I’ll have to try one soon.

Jim
December 4, 2008

Jesse
Great show – I am trying those pinotages this weekend!
December 4, 2008

canadapete
qotd. Aparatheid

Got to hit up some more South African wine
December 4, 2008

JudeMurphy
… Diamonds!! ; )
No, I don’t actually care for diamonds, but I must say, I’ve often been very surprised by South African wines, it seems they really do have a lot to offer!
December 4, 2008

Cali-pete
another good one, just keep churning them out. I can’t wait for 600, Thomas Jones, maybe?
December 4, 2008

jjmabaseb
qotd:
Aparatheid
December 4, 2008

NJ_Vettester
QOTD: Origin of the Flying Dutchman.
December 4, 2008

sam
Good stuff!

QOTD: Over-the-top fruitbomb Syrah. Then again, I cannot recall having a Pinotage from S.Africa.

P.S. There is a misspell in the title for this episode. It’s P-I-N-O-T-A-G-E.

Love y’all!
December 4, 2008

Glenn P
QOTD: Great White Sharks
December 4, 2008

Daniel Kemp
QOTD: Safari
December 4, 2008

fangorn81
Desmond Tutu
December 4, 2008

Dominick Mack
South Africa – My old roommate’s ex-boyfriend is from South Africa.
December 4, 2008

Steve
“Capetown to Cairo,” but I’ll look for some pinotage next time I’m in the wine shop. I’ve never had one before. Keep up the good work of expanding my pal. I do the wine purchasing in my family, and my wife loves her fruit bomb cabs and shiraz, but every now and again I slip in a Gigondas or a bordeaux or something I’ve picked up from your show.
December 4, 2008

Jay
QOTD: Krugerrands, baby.
December 4, 2008

Hido53
Gary -

Good show!

QOTD: The Southern-Hemisphere-British-Empire accent (ala New Zealand and Australia)
December 4, 2008

Derek F.
Pinotage is here to stay that’s for sure. Did a quick research and the 2006 south African wines were not outstanding but an excellent vintage.
December 4, 2008

Richard Ritter
Nice show Gary!

Hey, maybe if everyone would look at the other posts (besides their own) they would realize that we all saw/heard the incorrect spelling, clone/blend lingo mishap, pronunciation mistake and incorrect year reference. Relax and roll with it, it’s no big deal. We’re all human and make mistakes.

QOTD: Poverty
December 4, 2008

Lynda S
i have never had a pinotage. I need to stop buying wine. I am going to go broke doing that.
QOTD: Nelson Mandela and Goat do Roam
December 4, 2008

OSCAR FALCON LARA
Good one GV, Pinotage is a very hard varietal. I don’t love it but don’t hate it either, but I will try a lot of stuff twice or even three times before deciding on anything.

QOTD: South Africa- Cape Town; South Africa- Mandela; South Africa- Apartheid, South Africa- Tall Horse( syrah ), South Africa- trade routes.
December 4, 2008

Harley Stan
Cool little show today. Sorry I have not been watching as regular as I should I am way far behind.
QOTD- Ras Kasas. A little Ethiopian Restaurant in Boulder that we visit fairly often. I usually have a glass of pinotage with dinner there.
December 4, 2008

ScottEJ
QOTD: Ernie Els, Mandela, Apartheid.

I like Pinotage for it’s unique qualities. Haven’t had alot, but of the ones I have, I thought they were fun.
December 4, 2008

drydrew
QOTD: Nama, Northern Ndebele, Phuthi, Khoi, Lobedu, Fanagalo, San and English of course.
December 4, 2008

CaseyLee
Mott! Link it up. . .
December 4, 2008

drydrew
QOTD: Afrikaans, isiNdebele, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Siswati, Xitsonga, Setswana, · Tshiven?a, · isiXhosa, · isiZulu,
December 4, 2008

Tom Langan
PINTOAGE header on the episode and False BOY? Has GV had too much wine?

QOTD: poverty
December 4, 2008

lawschooldrunk
Ha Ha, Gary! We aint gonna let you live it down, false BOY!!!

QOTD: north africa
December 4, 2008

M
I’ve had pinotage but I have none in my cellar.
December 4, 2008

Eliot
Fantastic show!!! Love the value driven episodes.

QOTD: “I ain’t going to play Sun City”,…Stevie Van Zandt
December 4, 2008

loretta feeney
Would this be the type of wine to buy now $10-13.00 and drink in a few years?
December 4, 2008

Dan Manu
QOTD: Springbok
December 4, 2008

the2urbs
Aparatheid

I do like their Cabs, what is it… Stellenbosch.
December 4, 2008

Michael Schoonmaker
QOTD – Jungle.

I really need to figure out how to get your wine to MA – I really want to try these!
December 4, 2008

JCN
I feel like you had an agenda for this episode…. stock up on Pinotage at Wine Library?!?
December 4, 2008

Kent
I will rename my band and we will be known as “False Boy” from now on, lol.

QOTD: Leopard hunting.
December 4, 2008

Murso
QotD – Word Association : when you say South Africa , I say ;

1. Table Mountain.

2. Stellenbosch D.O.

3. Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc
December 4, 2008

thefaamakesmedrink
Host,

QOTD: Apartheid.

Regards,

Nelson Mandela
December 4, 2008

Fred
QOTD: Nelson Mandela

Love this show, although it sounds a little sugerfied…hehe
December 4, 2008

kaybee
QoTd
Diamonds and big catz.
December 4, 2008

Susan
Gary, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There REALLY IS a light at the end of the tunnel……………………………………………………..someone corrected the spelling of Pinotage!!!!!!
December 4, 2008

Susan
QOTD: Have one friend who was a barrister in South Africa………….so I know more than most……..I have also met several from South Africa recently and they have talked about the violence and crimes there…….I know they have fabulous wines………..South Africa is still very British…..
December 4, 2008

bill wrollcia
QOTD?? Nelson Mandela,

also a little sav blanc, and def big ups to the P TAGE… its not quite hanging with jay z and diddy but maybe in a few years you will be watching MTV cribs and P TAGE WILL BE THROWING YOU OUT OF ITS HOUSE???
what do you guys think??? twitter me @wrollcia
December 4, 2008

Herb
QOTD: The great Gary Player.
December 4, 2008

Michael Vorel
Hi Gary, really enjoyed the show and look forward to meeting you in Las Vegas @ Affiliate Summit. I will have to give pinotage a taste!
Cheers, Michael
December 4, 2008

Ray Barnes
This was a very good show, I have not tried a Pinotage in at least two years and am missing out on some good budget-priced wine. I hope Gary you do another South African show with maybe some higher-end offerings.

QOTD – diamonds
December 4, 2008

Ray Barnes
One postscript – I wish Gary had mentioned here, as he did in his (IMHO) excellent book, that Cinsault is known in South Africa as Hermitage – hence the name of the cross.

Those who choose to draw attention to his misread of one label and other minor errors in his videoblog, suspecting him of having too much wine, should keep in mind he is preparing to fly to San Francisco for the weekend. If he doesn’t made the odd minor mistake due to being in a hurry, he isn’t a human being. Enough complaints already!
December 4, 2008

Grapedigger
S.A = Pinotage!! Cool show GV…I’ve had a couple of Pinotage under 20$ and they were drinkable but nothing to write home about. The wines that you featured seems real value. It’d be great if you could feature some more expensive Pinotages on the show (20-30$) & see how these hold up against the competition.
Cheers
December 4, 2008

Dominus
False Baaaay, not Boy but that’s no big deal. The big deal is seeing how these Pinotages fared so well. I tried some SA Pinotage about 10 years ago and it was absolutely dreadful. Glad to see the exponential improvement especially at the low price point.

QOTD: Apartheid

Cheers!
December 4, 2008

digitaldean
Thanks a ton for the SA Pinotage episode!

QOTD: Several things
1.) Sebeka (first SA brand I tried – though I heard it’s owned by Gallo[?])
2.) Springboks rugby
3.) Stephen Biko
December 4, 2008

Chris in Tulsa
QOTD: I always think of South Africa from the bad guys on Lethal Weapon and their unique accents. They have some nice wines from a continent you never would have thought about fine wines.
December 4, 2008

dafo
QOTD: Nelson Mandela. One of the greatest life stories and most passionate men ever.
December 4, 2008

Benjamin
QOTD Australia

lol first thing that came to my head… terrible movie btw
December 4, 2008

4wdave
Steen
December 4, 2008

DirtWineKen
QOTD: Stellenbosch
December 5, 2008

Laurie in VT
QOTD: Desmond Tutu

I am trying to remember when I last had a pinotage… Must be time to go find some.
December 5, 2008

David T
QOTD: Apartheid/Mandela/Pinotage
December 5, 2008

Carilius Maximus
Q.O.T.D. …Trevor Rabin…WHO????…YES- That’s who!!!
I bet you Mott knows.
December 5, 2008

Bobo36
Good show. never had it. will have to score some.
QOTD: Pinons Restaurant, Aspen. Circa, 1993?, MS in training Damon Ornowski, suggested a wine from South Africa… R U CRAZY MAN? South Africa 1993? huh. He said that if this bottle didn’t blow our doors off all the way down to the bottom, he’d buy it for us. Welp, it blew the windows out also–amazing. Since then, have not visited the continent, via wine, much in last decade.
December 5, 2008

Robert Howells
Nelson Mandela
December 5, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: Leonardo di Caprio.

I thought that pinotage tasted like smoked wildebeest.
December 5, 2008

catherine.
i freaked out for 2 seconds cause i thought there was no question of the day.

QOTD: AIDS. is that totally terrible?
December 5, 2008

Matt
Up and coming.
December 5, 2008

rimarfish
QOTD: Apartheid
December 5, 2008

chukhead-ted
QOTD: zebra.

gary, i think everyone would LOVE to see what your palate is feeling regarding the WS top 10 or so wines that are causing a bonanza the past month.
December 5, 2008

joel delon
you seem to be in an extraordinary physical and mental shape gary ! missed several shows but like a bad habit… like the show and pinotage variety
QOTD : brahms winery and gesie latagan i worked with years ago in limoux here in the south of France she makes georgeous wines there
December 5, 2008

Helge Hagener
I am happy that Pinotage did so well. They used to have some bitterness problems with Pinotage the last years, but they start to get it under control (you did not mention bitterness once).

@ joel delon: the Brahms Shiraz was my x-mas-wine some years ago and I found it very amazing!

When is the “Rieslings from Germany”-Epipsode coming up (and I hope you do not forget the Rheingau then)?

Helge, Germany
December 5, 2008

Sonicgg
QOTD: World Cup 2010!
I’m pretty sure I had a Neederburg as my 1st or 2nd pinotage and was also pleasantly surprised. Grabbed it for the price to share with non-wine geeks and everyone really liked it. Good on ya SA!
December 5, 2008

E dog
Hey Gary ! I like the T shirt

QOTD: The first word that comes to mind when I think of South Africa is “Springboks” (it s a gazelle type animal) it s the name given to the South African rugby team.
December 5, 2008

Scott
QOTD: World Cup 2010
December 5, 2008

Tom G
I’ve neer tried a pinotage. My only experience with SA wine is the Rustenberg X Merriman red I’ve had. I’ll give it a shot.

QOTD: Apartheid.
December 5, 2008

E.W.B.
QOTD: Charlize Theron
December 5, 2008

theemptyglass
Great show Gary, I suspected that Pinotage was a good value play, now I know I’m not the only one who does.

QOTD: Apartheid and Charlize Thereon
December 5, 2008

bob murnane
Grassy tasting sauvignon blancs
December 5, 2008

wayno da wino
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOA….COOOOOOOOOOOOOOL Episode!!! Gotta get me some
Pinotage!!

qotd: My last girl friend was from South Africa…..
December 5, 2008

Derek
YES! A Pinotage episode!

QOTD:
braai
… and Peace Corps (my wife was there with Peace Corps after college).

And doesn’t everyone love Mott!?
December 5, 2008

Phil G
qotd – cape town
December 5, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Unfortunately, nothing good comes to mind. AIDS, apartheid blood diamonds, and all of the worst of colonial Africa. I have a hard time separating previous politics from the current wine makers many of who were significant apartheid supporters in the past. Glad you did a Pintoage episode but I have to say I am among the haters. I have tried and tried to like this wine because the price point is good but the burnt tire and banana nose on most of them is off putting and a few have been the worst wines I have ever put in my mouth. Keep trying new things and keep expanding but sometimes a varietal sticks in your head as bad and won’t go away and Pintoage is that for me.
December 5, 2008

Grant
I tried several pinotages a few years ago and was a bit underwhelmed, at least at the below $20 price point. This show induces me to try them again. Thanks for that. FUTURE SHOW SUGGESTION – really good off-dry still wines, such as German rieslings since so many types in this country look down on off-dry wines.
December 5, 2008

Paul Z
QOTD: World Cup 2010!
December 5, 2008

zac weiss
world cup, world trick cup. Zimbabwe (eeeeeuuurg)
December 5, 2008

SKN
QOTD: Nelson Mandela
December 5, 2008

manual
Thanks for the PEE NO TAGE episode. nice one. QOTD : WORLD CUP 2010.
December 5, 2008

Jason Shadrick
Dave Matthews
December 5, 2008

LauraG
QOTD: shantytown. sorry.
December 5, 2008

Danilo
I’ve been waiting for a pinotage episode! Thank you!

QOTD: Charlize… Charlize…
December 5, 2008

Tom
QOTD: Dave Matthews and sharks
December 5, 2008

M
QOTD: pinotage

What if my local wine store had 3 pinotage wines available? What if I picked the boring one?
December 5, 2008

DKBlurker
QOTD: wine and Stellenbosch, Jiko in Disneyworld, which has an excellent SA wine list, and one of my best friends who was born there
December 5, 2008

stephen
ROCKS BABY, SOUTH AFRICA ROCKS, and Gary It;s False BAY [rhymes with hay]
Nice Show, as a South African in the wine industry, so not like Pinotage but the Nederburg is certainly one i will try
Cheers
Nice Show
December 5, 2008

stephen
Mr Lawrence Leichtman
Get with the times and leave the past right there. Be a bit more open minded, maybe go and visit the place and stop being so naive. Yes, our country does have problems [which one does not] and as a South African winemaker, we are not all as rigid as you seem to be
December 5, 2008

jonomck
Ernie Els
December 5, 2008

Lawn
QOTD: I think of South Africa, I think of that Lethal Weapon Movie where Riggs was dating the pretty blonde from the S African embassy.
Ennie, Meenie, Minee…hey Mo! and he shoots the fish tank!
LOL

AL
December 5, 2008

Brad
dimersfontein pinotage – definitely one to try – chocolatey !
December 5, 2008

CHICAGO MARK
2004 GLEN CARLOU GRAND CLASSIQUE…..AND A SIDE ORDER OF WOLFTRAPP !
December 5, 2008

Rielo
QOTD: One of the World’s coolest flags (love the aesthetics AND the symbolism!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Africa
December 5, 2008

TenaciousE
Steen!
December 5, 2008

Eugene
good golfers! meritage show!!!!!!!!!
December 5, 2008

Weston
QOTD:
A Place I dont have any interest in visiting. The Flame Thrower Car Alarm (With the worlds capital of car thefts) I know I know but its what I think of S.Af
December 5, 2008

Lois and Greg
Great show!
QOTD: A country of incredible beauty (the landscape, seeing whales and penguins one day, lions, rhinos and elephants the next), the people (the pride of finally being a full, free and fair democracy), hospitality, food and, especially, the wine (Rustenberg, Meerlust Rubicon (to die for), etc.)
December 5, 2008

Dominus
Lookin’ for some Laid Back Friday action! Maybe a Pinot Gris/Grigio perhaps from different regions?
December 5, 2008

MattieJ
QOTD: Apartheid… Unfortunately that’s the first thing I thought of…

Love the T-shirt… looked for it on pleasedress.me couldn’t find it… will have to search harder…
December 5, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: Nelson Mandela. Secondly, Safari-like animals. Unfortunately, disease and starvation. As far as pinotage, I first tried it around 15 years ago and liked the varietal, but abandoned it in search of something bigger and better. South Africa had been mass-producing a glut of poorly-made wine that they couldn’t give away but over the last 5-10 years have started to improve and make some very decent wines. I haven’t bought anything South African unless you stuck one in one of the secret packs over the last year or so.
December 5, 2008

Jimmy T
QOTD: an old friend
December 5, 2008

J Crazy
QOTD: Hotels. Hey, I don’t know why either.
December 5, 2008

Denise & Joe
Rugby – Go Boks – Beautiful country – you will be shocked at how first world it really is – while it is still third world. Home. Familiar quality wines.
December 5, 2008

CyberTLH
QOTD: Tar, Parking Lot, A$$-Fault. . .

Haven’t had a good Pinotage to date.
December 6, 2008

ev
QOD- Cape Hunting Dog
December 6, 2008

Bal H.
17 hour flight to get there. Cape of Good Hope. Fun Capetown. Bridge to nowhere. Great Seafood and Sauvignon Blanc. 10 feet from lions and elephants. Much poverty too.
December 6, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
PLAY, PLAY, PLAY……Gary your overuse of the word “play” is driving me nuts! Everything is a play, a value play, herbaceous play an interesting play, ENOUGH….please!!!!

Q – Great white sharks
December 6, 2008

Rossodio
QOTD: Smokiness (or Stellenbosch)…

I’ve found that most whites and reds I’ve ever had from S. Africa, whether it be Sauv Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Shiraz, whatever, has a distinct smoky taste that reminds me of a nice pork barbecue. A really cool and spicy character that lends to South African wines’ uniqueness, in my opinion.
December 6, 2008

Smahlatz
Hido53 – “The Southern-Hemisphere-British-Empire accent (ala New Zealand and Australia)”. Ahem – British empire??? I think you’ll find the SA accent is largely influenced by the Dutch rather thanthe british. Afrikaans is very close to dutch. I think you find a small touch of that in NZ accent, but certainly not Australian.
December 6, 2008

jr
Charlize Theron > S. African Terroir
December 6, 2008

Jason S.
QOTD: Nelson Mandela
December 6, 2008

Bernie
QOTD: Diamonds (sadly).
December 6, 2008

Rowland
haha false boy? better take a second look bro.

a smoked hamburger? do they really make those?

qotd: The Gods Must Be Crazy I&II
December 6, 2008

Dennis Nestor
QOTD: Dave Matthews
December 6, 2008

Kirk AKA:(slave2thevine)
QOTD: Whenever I hear South Africa I think of overpriced wines for the quality level. I’ve had some I’ve enjoyed, and I’m not saying that there are not very nice wines from South Africa…but They always seem to be just outside of the price range I think of for that quality level. I always taste what I can at trade shows…and I’ve found a few that are nice. Yet, there is nothing I feel the NEED to drink or place in my cellar…
December 7, 2008

tuscanbob
Apartheid
December 8, 2008

David Perel
QOTD: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Beautiful view, Red wine, Happy people
December 8, 2008

Cellar Muse
QOTD: Shiraz
December 8, 2008

Kristen
Wow, I’m impressed. I’ve never liked SA wines (reds and whites in different price points), but this makes me reconsider. It’s always worth a try right?

You had me really wanting to eat today. Ostrich is great. I could see how it’d pair well with a pinotage! And when you were talking about charcuterie, all I could think of were rillettes. Now those are amazing!

QOTD: zebras.
December 8, 2008

pawncop
Good show and another to add to the list.

QOTD – Sauvignon Blanc and Chennin Blanc.
December 8, 2008

Chippewamike
Goats Do Roam
December 8, 2008

Pete W.
I’ve picked up a few Pinotage’s through a budget brand that sells in MN: http://www.sebekawines.com/

QOTD: Pinotage, actually.
December 8, 2008

Clifford
I have only tried Pinotage once, a while ago. I should give it another try.

QOTD: South Africa = Dave Matthews
December 8, 2008

Little Jonny H
Love the values that come with South Africa! Solid value driven whites abound!

QOTD: Ernie Els (I would have said pinotage if this wasn’t a wine forum)
December 8, 2008

Sharon
That was a funny show, GV
QOTD: Nelson Mandela, I’m Not Gonna Play Sun City
December 9, 2008

bryan
QOTD: Lood Kotze
December 9, 2008

Ali Amidi
South Africa: For me South Africa along with portugal are making some of the most valuable and idiosyncratic wines…. They are not just copies of other warm climate winecountries, nor are they trying to copy the french or italian – and exactly for this, “a mon avis” they have become some of the most interesting wines on the market.

The best South african wines Ive had:
Hamilton Russel, Ashbourne 2001 – pure pinotage- WOW
And seriously, all the wines from Amani. – Dont know if you get these wines in the states, but if you do, find them and drink them – they are absolutely stunning.
December 9, 2008

Scottie P
I need to try a Pinotage. Thanks for expanding my wine horizons GV!
December 9, 2008

MBannon
Good episode. I need to try more Pinotage. Heck, I need to try more South African wines, period.
December 9, 2008

Dan-o
Enjoyed the show. I have not had many Pinotages. I do remember it as being just “meh” (your term). I will try it again because I like variety.

QOTD – Word association with SA – Pinotage, Nelson Mandela, Goats Do Roam.
December 10, 2008

foulmouthpoet
sweet show. you were on today!! i’m gonna try those.
qotd: seven. i have no idea why, but i thought of the number seven.
December 10, 2008

CraigG
South Africa = Mulderbosch

Great episode!
December 10, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: South Africa : smoked meat & iron (I always smell something irony or bacon-esque or smoked meaty in South African red wines, whether Syrah, Pinotage, Cabernet, etc. Maybe it’s the red clay.)
December 10, 2008

Henre
Most people here seem to associate South Africa with pretty much the same things: Apartheid (which ended 14 years ago), Nelson Mandela (or Madiba as he’s informally known and chief anti-Apartheid activist), poverty, disease, but nice to see some Charlize Theron and Dave Matthews too.

Let’s get with the times and celebrate these truly unique South African experiences:

1. Wildlife – need I say more?
2. Afrikaans – The youngest language in the world. Originated in Paarl, my home town…slightly less well known than Stellenbosch…but home to Gary V’s Nederburg Pinotage on show here. (Also KWV and a host of world renowned wines, including Goats do Roam from Fairview Wines)
3. Cape Town, probably the most scenic city in the world. (Excuse my bias)
4. Home to an astonishing 11 official languages.

Many commented on the “False Boy” error, but this is what False Bay actually is:

False Bay is a body of water defined by Cape Hangklip (Dutch/Afrikaans for “Hang-stone”) and the Cape Peninsula in the extreme South-West of South Africa.

The reason it’s called False Bay:

The name “False Bay” was applied early on (at least three hundred years ago) by sailors who confused the bay with Table Bay to the north. The confusion arose because sailors returning from the east initially confounded Cape Point and Cape Hangklip, which are somewhat similar in form.
December 10, 2008

Tim Wiseman
QOTD: Pinotage

Gary, this is why I like your show (ok, one of the reasons) – for some stupid reason I have never tried a Pinotage, and of course, value wines rock. I can’t wait to try something new.

Thanks for droppin’ some knowledge …
December 10, 2008

C-Fiddy
QOTD: Robbie Hunter!

You – Me, at the flag pole… Classic, GV. Thanks!
December 11, 2008

MattUD
QOTD: Ernie Els, I was surprised too.
December 11, 2008

JayZee
Okay, it appears that a number of people have bashed you for the “False Boy” gaffe so I won’t belabor the point other than to say, those kind of mistakes give you charm.

QOTD: Stellenbosch
December 11, 2008

Palmer
QOTD: South Africa — World Cup 2010 baby!!!

Pinotage: I’ve had 3 or 4 and they’ve all been so heavy on tobacco flavors that I found them almost undrinkable.
December 13, 2008

Andrew D
Thanks Gary

Interesting show

QTD: Sharks
December 14, 2008

Keith
Mandela
December 16, 2008

Todd
qotd
Zulu
December 23, 2008

DCaseyLee
GARY ! yeah !
im going to catch up on the last few that ive missed before you get to episode 600 !
cant wait im know it will bring mad thunder !
December 23, 2008

DCaseyLee
QOTD- Lion
December 23, 2008

Justin L. Ove
Great show, you were on like flan.
QOTD: Ahab
January 7, 2009

Egbert
Opened a Sebeka Pinotage for the first time last month.
Initial nose was like dunking into a vat of Swiss high cacao chocolate while standing a the top of a snowy mountain. Not a York Pepper Mint Patty type of thing but not the hot chocolate type of warm and fuzzy chocolate. This was a cool snap of a thin, high quality chocolate rubbed with an ice cube so it gets hard and stands-up kind of chocolate aroma. Yeah, kind of a sexy, revealing, slap you in the face, chocolate.

This lasted for about 5-7 minutes before all that aroma bled off into the other, remaining aromas. It very much grabbed my attention.

At the grocery store the next week, I got a False Bay that he just reviewed, for <$10 US. I also was surprised at the value I got there. I will be going back to add stock of the False Bay.

QOTD: Rugby (Springboks uniform is my mental picture)
January 8, 2009

CBone
QOTD: Claire
January 23, 2009

Adam J
QOTD: Nelson Mandela….jump up for Nelson Mandela!!
January 30, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Another show about a grape I knew nothing about. Once again, thank you. QOTD: Sadly, apartheid.
January 30, 2009

Gary Meyer
There’s nothing wrong with the way he pronounces it.. except maybe a little too much emphasis on the “o”… in South Africa we say it more like “Pin-a-Tage”
March 22, 2009

Raul
Just went to S Africa for the first time last November and visited several wineries in Stellenbosch. Since then I have been more curious about Pinotages. Enjoyed the show!!
April 26, 2009

Logan
QOTD: Bright blue skies and deep blue ocean, contrasts and beauty under the hot African sun… that sounded pretty corny haha

I love Pinotage!
May 26, 2009

Bobbie Smith
You had a pinotage recently on one of your shows and I had to go out and find some more. I had Goats Do Roam, a pinotage blend, and another pinotage within the last month that left me wondering if I should continue with this wine. (The Goats Do Roam was so gamey that I couldn’t stop thinking about goats and while that might be the terroir of the estate, it wasn’t too appealing to me.) Glad I kept up the search. Found some more banana in the last week, and I love when these wines have a hint of vanilla too. It goes well with the banana. Ok, enough blabbing.

QOTD: I think of a guy that lived in Capetown and picked my husband and I up as we hitchhiked across Kauai. Good guy, obviously, because we needed a shower. Every person I have ever met from South Africa was unbelievably friendly and they love their country. I need to go there.