Pinotage is the unique selling proposition for South Africa and – handled properly – should propel the country's wine to the world stage.
As long as winemakers can agree on a minimum and maximum Pinotage content for a 'Cape Blend', South African wines could 'potentially sell all over the world.'
This was the message from veteran winemaker Beyers Truter of Stellenbosch property Beyerskloof, speaking at a seminar at London's annual South African tasting yesterday.
The Bordeaux blend is famous around the world, Truter said, as are Rhone blends, Australian blends and Californian blends. 'Why shouldn't South Africa think about a blend?'
The debate over a minimum amount of Pinotage allowable in a Cape Blend has been going on for some years. The issue is further complicated by some producers who claim the Cape's traditional blend is Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
While some producers reckon it should be set at a base of 5% - which Truter says is far too low - Seymour Pritchard, owner of Clos Malverne in Stellenbosch has said he believes his Clos Malverne Auret is 'the quintessential Cape blend, with a mix of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Pinotage and 15% Merlot.'
And the committee of South Africa's biggest wine competition, Veritas, in 2002 established the first 'industry' definition of a Cape Blend - a Pinotage-based blend containing a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 70% Pinotage.
The problem, Truter added, is that South African winemakers don't form a cohesive group. To laughter he said, 'the last time South African farmers stood together was on the boat over to [notorious Boer War penal colony] St Helena. There wasn't any space for them to sit down.'
Whatever the decision, Truter is convinced this is the way forward for South Africa. Pinotage has low production costs, and it is versatile.
'What is the third dimension?' he asked the audience of wine professionals in the pavilion at Lord's cricket ground where the tasting was held. 'I have no idea, but Pinotage is getting there.'
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