BARBECUING SOUTH AFRICAN STYLE

Spring has finally arrived here in Ireland, well Spring as we know it, can be brollies in the morning, shorts and tee shirts in the afternoon and jumping back into winter woollies for the evenings.

But we are a resilient bunch and seems also overly optimistic, barbecue and outdoor heater sales have seen a huge upsurge in 2021.

What better way to kick off the barbecue season than with a couple of wines from South Africa. The barbecue in South Africa is a national tradition and known there as the braai, their national Heritage Day on the 24^th of September is fondly known as braai day. Most braai at least once a week and always use wood or charcoal to bring out the best flavours from the meat. No proud South African would be seem next to, or near a gas barbecue.

In honour of the South African braai, we have selected two wines, excellent for your barbecue sipping. The Contours Merlot from Swartland is a juicy, smooth, and easy drinking, perfect with your grilled meats and the Contours Sauvignon Blanc is zippy, fresh with great acidity and flavour to match fish, vegetable, and salad dishes. If you want to try a wine thats unique to South Africa, to match with your braai meat then try a Pinotage from the western cape.

Enjoy the braaing and fingers crossed for the fine warm weather, that will surely arrive (eventually).