# Café Culture Coffee Mocha Pinotage (2023)

- **Producer:** KWV
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinotage
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €11
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, dark cherry, chocolate, coffee

## About this wine

The KWV Café Culture Coffee Mocha Pinotage 2023 is a red wine from South Africa's Western Cape. Its unique identity stems from the winemaking team's exploration of oak's interaction with Pinotage, specifically using hard-roasted oak barrels to impart coffee and chocolate notes. The name 'Café Culture' directly references this distinctive flavor profile. KWV, established in 1918, is a prominent South African wine and spirits producer recognized for its heritage and innovative approach. The 2023 vintage is characterized by a notable increase in fruit, creating a balanced interplay with the wine's roasted elements. The grapes are sourced from contracted growers across the Cape Province, with a focus on the Fairtrade certified Rooidraai vineyard for this particular bottling.

## Interesting facts

- Inspired by oak research, this wine's name reflects its coffee and chocolate character.
- A special Pinotage clone (Pi 48) is used for this bottling.
- Grapes are sourced from the Fairtrade certified Rooidraai vineyard.
- This wine was a top seller for its producer in Sweden in 2023.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and moderate tannins complement the richness of proteins like beef, lamb, and duck, while the inherent fruitiness and spice notes can harmonize with savory and slightly sweet glazes or sauces. The coffee and chocolate undertones make it a surprisingly good match for certain desserts.

## Wine making process

The creation of the KWV Café Culture Coffee Mocha Pinotage 2023 involves several key techniques aimed at developing its distinctive character. A special clone of Pinotage, Pi 48, is utilized, sourced from contracted growers across the Cape Province, including the Fairtrade certified Rooidraai vineyard. A significant aspect of the winemaking is the aging process, where the wine spends three months in medium-toasted oak barrels. Crucially, the wine's signature coffee and mocha notes are achieved by aging the Pinotage grapes on carefully hard-roasted oak barrels. The use of a specially cultivated yeast strain is also a notable element in the production process.