Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage 75cl

Big flavour, zero fuss. Ken Forrester’s Petit Pinotage is a dry South African red that hits that sweet spot between juicy fruit and savoury depth, so you get a glass that’s easy to love but still interesting enough to talk about.

If Pinotage is new to you, think of it like South Africa’s signature red, darker-fruited than Pinot Noir, with a smoky, coffee-ish edge that makes it feel right at home next to grilled food. This bottle is a seriously friendly entry point, especially if you want to try something beyond the usual Cabernet and Shiraz rotation.

• Appearance: Deep ruby with a darker core, the kind of colour that already hints at bold fruit.
• Nose: Ripe blackberry and plum up front, with a warm nudge of coffee grounds, cocoa, and sweet spice.
• Palate: Dark berries and plum keep it juicy, while that smoky, roasted note adds a savoury twist that stops it feeling one-note.
• Body: Medium-bodied, with enough weight to feel satisfying without turning the night into a heavy red situation.
• Finish: Clean and gently spicy, with a lingering dark-fruit echo that makes you want the next sip.

Food pairing:Make this your braai buddy, it loves boerewors, smoky BBQ chicken, or a proper cheeseburger with caramelized onions (and yes, it’s great with a peppery steak too).

When to open it? Weeknight dinner when you want something more fun than “whatever red,” or bring it to a barbecue and look like the person who always finds the good bottles. It’s also a handy house red if your crew bounces between “fruit-forward” and “a bit savoury, please.”

If you’ve been living in Malbec land, this is a smart detour. You’ll still get that dark-fruit satisfaction, but Pinotage brings extra character, more roast-and-spice vibes, and a distinctly South African stamp.

Ken Forrester is one of the Cape’s most talked-about names, known for making wines that overdeliver on personality, and Pinotage is where South Africa really gets to show off.

Fun Fact: Pinotage is a proudly South African grape, created by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsault (once called “Hermitage”), which is exactly where the name comes from.