Peter F. May is a South African wine writer and author of several wine books including Pinotage: Behind the Legends of South Africa’s Own Wine. He’s also the founder of the Pinotage Club, a site dedicated to fans of pinotage around the world. Obviously, his specialty intrigued me as a fellow weird-grape lover and unapologetic pinotage fan, and he kindly agreed to an interview in which he shares his fascinating perspective and breadth of knowledge on pinotage’s best producers, its reception abroad and at home, and its various expressions around the world.
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I’d never tried any of Bartinney’s wines before, but I’ve seen its name pop up regularly in South African wine news.
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Most of my Madison friends have in the last few months received at least one text from me to the effect of “I’m sorry, I have to bail on our plans; I’m too tired.” It’s not like me to hole up at home when there’s fun to be had, but a hard day at the vineyard takes the wind right out of my sails. Since Madison just gave up on spring completely, after several failed attempts, and went straight into summer, the heat has been an extra adjustment.
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Having worked at a wine retailer I know what a leap of faith it is to put an expensive wine from a lesser-known region on the shelf. Retailers know almost every bottle will be a hand-sell, and only for that special customer who is willing to take the risk. It takes a shop owner with confidence in their customers’ trust and in their own palate––in their ability to recognize a great wine when they see it.
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Brad Paton is the winemaker at Buitenverwachting, a farm in Constantia that’s known for its sauvignon blanc but also does wonderful Bordeaux varietals––including an amazing cab franc. Paton shared his report from the 2014 harvest via email this week!
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