I am concerned to read tho’ that you are stating that “band aid” is an aroma typical of the Pinotage variety, since “band-aid” is the classic descriptor of brett (Brettanomyces) a form of yeast infection that can affect any variety anywhere. In small quantities it is sometimes said to add complexity but usually it is considered to be a fault in winemaking.

I don’t know which Pinotage you had that was bretty but be prepared to reconsider your opinion of the variety as you taste more. As the Tall Horse showed — ‘band-aid’ is not typical of the variety. Tall Horse is an export brand of DGB. South Africa’s largest independent wine and spirit producer and distributor. — see www.dgb.co.za

www.pinotage.org

Personally, I’ve tasted Pinotages from less than 20 producers over the past 10 years, so my knowledge is not nearly as vast as yours. As you may know, the US does not import too many different brands, and the ones that are brought here are typically low and volume and therefore difficult to locate. Off the top of my head I can say I’ve tasted Pinotage from Kanonkop, Fairview, Spier, Warwick, French Hill, Simonsig, KWV, Fleur de Cap, Nederburg, Bellingham, Robertson, Zarafa, Indaba, Stormhoek, and Beyerskloof. I’m not sure how representative those brands are, but that’s what we find in the USA.

That said, I have smelled band-aid in many of those wines but never associated it with brett — perhaps because my perception of brett is more of a rancid, earthy, barnyard aroma (such as the more pungent aroma you get in some wines from Spain and a few Bordeaux). Moreover, the band-aid I smell in most of those examples is faint — neither overpowering nor a turn-off. Maybe my definition of “band-aid” is different from yours … after all, aromas are a personal thing and wine enjoyment is subjective.

In any case, I am looking forward to trying many more Pinotages — if they ever come here ! The best higher-end Pinotage we get here are from Kanonkop and Beyerskloof — neither of which are too shabby.

Thanks again for your comments, and please keep us up to date on the goings-on with Pinotage!