Comparison
Barossa Shiraz vs Pinotage
How Barossa Shiraz and Pinotage differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Pinotage has more earthy character; Pinotage has more sweetness; Pinotage has more acidity.
Choose
Barossa Shiraz
Choose Barossa Shiraz if you want something stronger and warmer, fuller and richer, fruitier.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Pinotage is earthier: medium against low.
Sweetness
Clear differencePerceived sugar in the finished wine, driven mainly by residual sugar but modified by acidity, alcohol and fruit ripeness.
Pinotage is sweeter: low-medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Pinotage is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Barossa Shiraz is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Barossa Shiraz is fuller and richer: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Barossa Shiraz is fruitier: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Savoury character: Similar — both medium.
- Floral character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Barossa Shiraz | Pinotage |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to low-medium (2/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Alcohol | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, liquorice, vanilla | bramble, plum, smoke, coffee, dark chocolate |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Barossa Shiraz
Dense, chocolatey, high-alcohol Shiraz from some of the oldest producing vines on earth.
Style
Pinotage
South Africa’s own crossing — capable of both the country’s worst clichés and some of its most distinctive reds.
Comparison
Barossa Shiraz vs Northern Rhône Syrah
The same grape at opposite ends of its range.
Comparison
Châteauneuf-du-Pape vs Barossa Shiraz
Two big warm-climate reds — which is the more savoury?