De Grendel's Rugby World Cup Paring - South Africa vs New Zealand

It doesn’t get any bigger than this Test tomorrow, Saturday, 24 October 2015. Two of the world’s best rugby teams will battle it out to see who earns their spot in the Final. For De Grendel’s Rugby World Cup wine pairing, we decided that we would use the opportunity to celebrate the braai (one of SA’s greatest rugby and food traditions) and match it with one of New Zealand’s greatest wine varietals, Pinot Noir.

New Zealand has taken to growing Pinot Noir like they have to rugby, now producing some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs as well as rugby players.

New Zealand has three styles of Pinot Noir:

WAIRARAPA: Darker fruit aromas, often with a savoury component. Rich, full, sweet fruit on the entry with flavours in the dark plum and chocolate spectrum. The structure of the wines are based around long, fine tannins.

NELSON: Fragrant, complex, earthy and savoury textured wines with rich, spicy, cherry and plum flavours. These wines are concentrated, balanced and supple with fine lingering tannin.

CANTERBURY/WAIPARA VALLEY: Red and dark berry fruit with spicy notes. Firm structure and acidity. Savoury earthy characteristics.

The De Grendel Op Die Berg De Grendel Pinot Noir 2012 is in the style of the Nelson region of New Zealand with a light, bright ruby red hue and the nose is filled with luscious red cherry, blackberry and pine needle notes that carry through on the palate with a long velvety finish, balanced with well-structured freshness.

This is the perfect wine to drink with all of your favourite braai meats. So let’s get behind the Bokke, light our braais and drink Op Die Berg De Grendel Pinot Noir 2012.

Hopefully there’ll be more wine called for when we win!

Share your best braai tips with us on Facebook and Twitter and make sure to stock up on our Op die Berg Pinot Noir 2012 here.