South African Cinsault, a frequent participant in the country's historical "Cape Blends," is no longer just playing a supporting role. Instead, it now promises to offer the spotlight performance you desperately need in your wine repertoire. Embraced by South Africa's finest craftsmen, this vibrant grape variety delivers an array of juicy flavors that will create a symphony in your mouth, no matter what you're celebrating or which season you're in.

Commonly known by various names like Cinsaut or Hermitage, this grape has inhabited the South African vineyards since the 19th century. Recognized for its resilience in hot, dry climates and its reliable yields, Cinsault holds a prominent place in South African viniculture. It also shares parent pedigree credit with Pinot Noir for the making of the unique South African variety known as Pinotage in 1925.

For decades, Cinsault held a crucial position in crafting the iconic Cape Blends, usually alongside Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon, providing a refreshing and fruit-driven appeal. However, it was underappreciated as a sole offering due to its light and humble nature.

Only recently, South Africa’s “new generation” of winemakers began to celebrate the true potential of this varietal, uplifting Cinsault's rich legacy further with constant experimentation and bare minimum intervention in the winemaking process. The new wave of Cinsault wines brings an irresistible purity, shining bright with bountiful fruit, smooth tannins, and a refreshing quality that is bound to capture today's wine lovers.

But what sets South African Cinsault apart is its adaptability. Whether you're cooling down on a hot summer day or finding comfort on a cold autumn night, this adaptable wine delivers. Paired with a weekday burger, a fragrant tagine, or even a charcuterie board, this versatile gem is destined to take a permanent position in your wine collection.

Therefore, the next time you find yourself seeking the perfect red, give South African Cinsault a try and let it charm you with its impeccable adaptability and delicious flavors.

To help you navigate your way through the array of options, here are twelve stellar recommendations, ranging from cheerful sips that are jam-packed with fruity delight, to more serious options that showcase just how special and magical this grape can be: Blacksmith Barebones, Crave, Fram, Kaapzicht Skuinsberg, Mother Rock, Natte Valleij, Badenhorst, Lee Passant, Sadie, Savage, Scions of Sinai, and Van Loggerenberg. Each offers a unique flavor profile from juicy cherries to earthy spice, that showcases the best this versatile grape has to offer.