{"id":8010,"date":"2021-08-18T08:32:10","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T06:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/blog\/2021\/08\/18\/raise-your-glass-to-pinotage\/"},"modified":"2024-05-30T15:53:11","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T13:53:11","slug":"raise-your-glass-to-pinotage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/blog\/2021\/08\/18\/raise-your-glass-to-pinotage\/","title":{"rendered":"Raise your glass to Pinot Noir\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know today, August 18, \u00a0is International Pinot Noir Day? We didn\u2019t, but now we do, we\u2019re going to raise a glass to this beautiful cultivar, while we tuck into a slow-roast pork belly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re celebrating with a glass of, \u00a0and toasting \u00a0Muratie Estate, South Africa\u2019s first producer of Pinot Noir.<\/p>\n

It is George Paul Canitz, after whom the Muratie Pinot Noir is named, whom we have to thank for the Cape\u2019s first Pinot Noir. GP Canitz (famous artist, avid horseman, bon vivant and former owner of Muratie), together with prominent viticulturist, Professor Abraham Perold (who created Pinotage), planted the first Pinot Noir grapes at Muratie in 1927, and produced the first \u2018Burgundy\u2019 in Stellenbosch. \u201cMuratie Burgundy is bottled sunshine; it gladdens the heart and loosens the tongue!\u201d Such were the words of the charismatic Canitz, \u00a0who had a fine palate for Pinot.<\/p>\n

A lot has changed since then, including new owners of the farm, but what hasn\u2019t changed is the fact that a glass of Muratie Geroge Paul Canitz Pinot Noir 208 still \u2018gladdens the heart\u2019. \u00a0A heady combination of strawberries, cherries, plums and aniseed greets you on the nose, all underpinned by hints of truffle, exotic mushrooms and spice. Then you\u2019ll taste a smooth, velvety, elegant mouthful of fruits – preserved raspberries and cherries \u2013 with hints of spice \u2026 think cinnamon and sandalwood. \u00a0You\u2019ll find the wine for around R370 at muratie.co.za\/wine\/buy-wine\/<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

A rich and warming wine, it is best enjoyed with game or a robust mushroom risotto. A classic pairing is duck confit, also ideal with roast chicken, salmon (roasted, seared or grilled) and Brie, Camembert, Gruy\u00e8re, and goat cheese. And absolutely delicious with slow-roasted pork belly.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Kim Melck\u2019s slow-roasted pork belly recipe \u2026 the perfect home-cooked Sunday lunch.<\/strong><\/p>\n