In South Africa we’re not only fortunate enough to have a national holiday dedicated to braaing (National Braai Day on 24 September) but we also have access to some of the best wines in the world.
Here are my top five braai wines:
1. Pongrácz – for the chef while braaing
I choose a ‘drink of the year’ each year, and when in doubt this is what I order. In 2010 it was Méthode Cap Classique and in 2011 it was the piña colada cocktail. While I’ve had quite enough piña coladas to last me a lifetime, I’m still in a bit of an MCC phase. The fact of the matter is we live in a great part of the world and every braai is a special occasion – worthy of great bubbly. Since emancipating myself to a level where I comfortably stand with braai tongs in one hand and a Champagne glass in the other I now regularly pop the cork of a Pongrácz bottle as I think they’re very reasonably priced for what you get.
Prices start at R100 a bottle.
2. Durbanville Hills Merlot – paired with the all-round performer, boerewors
Braaing and drinking wine are both social occasions. Due to the nature of my job I regularly braai at a variety of places and with a diverse number of people. Merlot is a great choice for a crowd: it’s easy-drinking and everyone usually likes it. Durbanville Hills Merlot is mid-priced and my go-to wine when making a last-minute shopping detour past a supermarket. You are never afraid to take it out and offer it to your fellow braaiers, yet you did not part with half your salary for it. Due to the all-rounder nature of this wine, it would go well with an all-round braai performer like boerewors.
Try this: Braai your own super-deluxe boerewors rolls
Durbanville Hills Merlot retails for around R75 a bottle.
3. Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc ? paired with a fruity braaied snoek
Although I’ve had some great bottles of Chardonnay in my life, I generally prefer the crisp taste of Sauvignon Blanc. I like Sauvignon Blanc made in cellars with a view of the sea such as Durbanville Hills. One medium-sized braaied snoek paired with a bottle of cold, fruity Sauvignon Blanc is a very balanced and healthy meal for two. Wine is made from fruit after all, so the wine doubles as your salad.
Try this: Justin Bonello’s hobo fish on the braai
Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc sells for roughly R50 a bottle.
4. Le Bonheur Prima ? paired with an icon, the lamb curry sosatie
For more than a decade this wine has never left my top-five list. It’s soft yet complex and goes very well with absolutely any braaied food. Generally I also like a wine when the label and the name are not full of bells and whistles. The label of this wine is very simple and so is the name. The taste is everything but. If I had to pick one when getting stuck on a deserted island, this would be it. As this wine is a champion at my braai I pair it with another champion of the braai, a lamb curry sosatie.
Try this: lamb curry sosaties on the braai
The Le Bonheur Prima sells for around R100.
5. Alto Cabernet – paired with a 28-day dry-aged T-bone steak
A wine made from the famous ‘golden triangle’ located in Stellenbosch. There are obviously many great red wines from that area, but this one is my favourite. An old-school, heavy Cabernet, from a traditional farm with a traditional wine label that looks like a wine label. When braaing that 28-day, dry-aged T-bone steak, this is the wine that you want to drink with it.
Try this: braaied rump steak with garlic butter
Alto Cabernet retails for approximately R140.
Want more? Check out our ultimate braai day recipe guide or take your pick of five of the best South African wines under R80.
Originally posted on www.winemag.co.za
