Delheim Heerenwijn Sauvignon/Chenin 2009 R34.99 from Ultra Liquors
Delheim’s owner, Spatz Sperling, originally wanted to call this Kneipwein meaning ‘pub wine’ but the authorities wouldn’t let him. His wife Vera then came up with this – the Gentleman’s wine and 35 years later, this blend is still going strong!
Chef Caro has gone for a braaiied snoek with this wine – “I think the fruity jam will match well with the Chenin component with the Sauvignon cutting through the rich fish to provide a nice balance of flavour.”
Drostdy-Hof Sauvignon Blanc 2010 R71.99 for 3 litre box from Ultra Liquors
I recommended this wine way back in October I believe and it justified by faith in it by triumphing at the inaugural BoxWine Challenge set up by Spit or Swallow. This is a great thing to have in your fridge at all times so you are never without a glass of wine when you need one!
This is such an easy-drinking wine that it could actually go with anything but Caro has decided that this should be the match for the beer-can chicken – after all, it was the most popular recipe last year so deserves the most popular, crowd-pleasing wine!
Hermanuspietersfontein Sauvignon Blanc No. 7 2010 R80 from the farm
From the cool climate of Hermanus comes this top class wine made by current Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, Bartho Eksteen. Bartho has been making some of this country’s top Sauvignons for many years now and this is no exception – crisp, limey, zesty with elegance and class.
The classic match for fine Sauvignon Blanc is goats’ cheese, so Chef Caro decided to zef it up a bit and turn it into a Goats’ cheese braaibroodjie with tomato chilli jam. Sounded so good, we all had to agree!
Lula Afrika Shiraz 2008 R30 on sale from Ultra Liquors
This comes from Rudera Wines made by Jasper Raats – part of the celebrated Raats Family wines which make some of SA’s top Cab Francs and Chenins. This range is meant for easy-drinking with plenty of soft, juicy black fruit – the quintessential braai wine!
This wine is rich, soft and juicy so Caro has gone for another classic braai dish here – an oxtail potjie in red wine and herbs. The spicy notes of the wine combined with its savoury character should be perfectly matched by the flavours of the food!
Bob’s Your Uncle The Red Wine, Brew! R20 from Wine Village, Hermanus
Can it get anymore zef than this – in a brown 500ml beer bottle sealed with a crown cap! I’m still not sure whether to provide glasses with this soft, fruity, juicy little blend or whether we should all just glug it out of the bottle!
There’s plenty of spice and soft sweet fruit in this wine so Caro reckons it should cope well with Sardines on Toast’s gemsbok sosaties. The sweetly aromatic marinade will offset the soft cherry red fruit perfectly.
Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2009 R44.99 from Ultra Liquors
You can’t beat a good red Muscadel as you sit around the fire and this is a very good one indeed. Packed with sweetly raisined fruit and showing lots of balance and length, this is a fitting end to any meal.
This is actually wine ed. Cathy’s favourite English campfire dessert, but Caro reckons that braaiied bananas and Bar One with Brandy Cream is a winner whichever country you come from!