South Africa produces some of the world's finest wines. It also — if we do say so ourselves — produces some excellent bread. The two belong together, and not just as a pre-dinner formality.
I spent two years working in a wine estate restaurant in Stellenbosch before joining The Daily Bread, and the experience taught me that bread and wine are a more serious pairing than most people realise. The right combination can elevate both — the acidity of a great sourdough cutting through the richness of a buttery Chardonnay, or the earthiness of a rye loaf complementing the dark fruit of a Syrah.
Sourdough and Chenin Blanc
This is my go-to pairing. South African Chenin Blanc — particularly from older vines in the Swartland — has a beautiful tension between fruit and acidity that mirrors the tang of a good sourdough. Serve the bread with cultured butter and a glass of something from Sadie Family Wines or AA Badenhorst. It's a combination that makes you slow down.
Focaccia and Rosé
Our rosemary and sea salt focaccia is an easy, crowd-pleasing bread that pairs naturally with a dry Provençal-style rosé. The herbal notes in the bread echo the garrigue character of a good rosé, and the salt brings out the fruit. This is the pairing for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Rye and Pinotage
Rye bread has an earthiness and slight bitterness that can overwhelm lighter wines, but it finds a natural partner in Pinotage — South Africa's signature grape. A good Pinotage has smoky, earthy notes and enough tannin to stand up to the density of rye. Serve with aged cheddar for a combination that's deeply satisfying.
Croissants and MCC
Méthode Cap Classique — South Africa's answer to Champagne — is the natural partner for our butter croissants. The bubbles cut through the richness of the butter, and the brioche-like notes in a good MCC echo the pastry itself. This is the pairing for a celebration breakfast.
The best wine pairing, of course, is the one you enjoy. But if you're looking for a starting point, start with what grows nearby — and let the bread and wine find each other.
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