# Free to Be Concrete Carbonic Pinotage (2025)

- **Producer:** Remhoogte
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinotage
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, raspberry, strawberry, banana, blueberry, cream

## About this wine

The 'Free to Be' range by Remhoogte Wine Estate represents a philosophy of minimal intervention, experimentation, and natural expression. Located on the steep, southwest-facing slopes of the Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, the estate benefits from cooling breezes off False Bay, which help retain freshness in the grapes. This cuvée is a modern, vibrant reimagining of South Africa's signature grape, Pinotage, steering away from heavy oak and extraction to showcase the grape's joyful, fruit-forward potential.

## Interesting facts

- The 'Free to Be' range is Remhoogte's playground for experimental, natural winemaking with minimal intervention.
- Carbonic maceration in concrete eggs gives this Pinotage an incredibly vibrant, Beaujolais-like crunchiness.
- The grapes are sourced from Simonsberg-Stellenbosch slopes, benefiting from cooling maritime breezes.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity, low tannins, and explosive red fruit profile of this carbonic Pinotage make it incredibly versatile. It acts similarly to a Cru Beaujolais, cutting through the richness of duck or pork while complementing earthy mushroom dishes and savory charcuterie without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

Crafted using 100% carbonic maceration, whole bunches of Pinotage are placed into concrete vessels, sealed, and allowed to ferment intracellularly in a carbon dioxide-rich environment. This technique extracts intense primary fruit aromas and soft tannins while preserving fresh acidity. The wine is fermented with wild yeasts, aged in concrete eggs to maintain purity of fruit, and bottled with minimal sulfur addition, unfined and unfiltered.