Life Style / Wine Grapes / Pontac: A red-wine grape variety that behaves as a teinturier colorant and originally native to south-west France but, at last report, now only to be found on small acreages in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa in part because of a tendency to bear biennial fruit. It reportedly has the unusual use of monkey deterrence in South Africa. Planted at the end of vine rows, and usually the first vine to attract marauding baboons, it stains their paws with the red juice. Apparently thinking it is blood the creatures depart in a great hurry. Thats the theory anyway! Used by a few wineries to produce a varietal version and the historically interesting 'Constantia' sweet wine blend with wines made from Orange Muscat grapes. Also used by at least one winery as a blend ingredient in Port production.
Search Google for Pontac: