And that tradition is intertwined with the country's colonial history. The Dutch Afrikaners brought continental European winemaking to the Cape. Those early settlers found the conditions just right. We have excellent weather conditions here, long sunshine hours, high humidity winters and no frost. Afrikaners broke with European tradition, however, by developing wines to drink with South Africa's rugged, frontier cooking.
Locals love a good brai , or barbecue.
While Americans associate barbecue with beer, don't mention the malty brew in these parts. Many people judge the wine to say it will go with a steak or chicken, whatever they can put on the fire. I think a good red wine with well balanced acidity goes down well. If you have a pork rib, you need a really good Cabernet Sauvignon. While cheap for Americans, those prices are out of reach for most South Africans.