Biltong & Wine Pairing

Traditional Beef Biltong

Recommended Pairings:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
  • The bold tannins complement the rich, salty beef flavours
• Shiraz/Syrah
  • Spicy notes enhance the traditional spices in the biltong
• Malbec
  • Full-bodied wine that matches the intensity of the beef

Game Biltong

(Kudu, Springbok, Ostrich)

Recommended Pairings:

• Pinot Noir
  • Light enough not to overpower the delicate game flavours
• Grenache
  • Earthy undertones complement wild game perfectly
• Sangiovese
  • Italian elegance meets African tradition

Spicy Biltong Varieties

Recommended Pairings:

• Riesling
  • The sweetness balances the heat beautifully
• Gewürztraminer
  • Aromatic wine that complements spicy flavours
• Rosé
  • Crisp and refreshing to cool the palate

Droëwors (Dried Sausage)

Recommended Pairings:

• Chenin Blanc
  • South Africa's signature white wine pairs naturally
• Sauvignon Blanc
  • Crisp acidity cuts through the richness
• Chardonnay
  • Buttery notes complement the sausage texture

Biltong Tasting Tips

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve biltong at room temperature for optimal flavour
• Pair with aged cheeses and crusty bread
• Include olives and nuts for a complete charcuterie experience
• Serve wines slightly chilled for reds, well-chilled for whites. This will really ignite your taste buds! 

Wine Temperature Guide:

• Light Reds: 12-14°C (54-57°F)
• Full-bodied Reds: 16-18°C (61-64°F)
• White Wines: 8-10°C (46-50°F)
• Sparkling: 6-8°C (43-46°F)

Regional Wine Recommendations

🇿🇦 South African Wines:

• Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
• Swartland Chenin Blanc
• Paarl Shiraz
• Walker Bay Pinot Noir 

🌎 International Options:

• Australian Shiraz 🇦🇺 
• French Rhône Valley reds 🇫🇷 
• New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 🇳🇿 
• Argentine Malbec 🇦🇷 

Creating Your Biltong & Wine Experience

Start with lighter pairings and progress to more intense combinations. Begin with game biltong and Pinot Noir, then move to traditional beef biltong with Cabernet Sauvignon. Finish with spicy varieties paired with a crisp white wine to cleanse the palate.

Visit our store to explore our full range of premium biltong varieties, perfect for your next wine tasting adventure!

The Heritage of Two Crafts

In the heart of South Africa, two ancient crafts have flourished for centuries, each telling the story of a land shaped by tradition, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The art of biltong-making, born from the necessity of preserving meat in the African wilderness, and the cultivation of fine wines in the fertile valleys of the Cape, represent more than mere sustenance—they embody the soul of South African heritage.

Both crafts share a profound respect for time, patience, and the transformative power of natural elements. Just as the Cape's Mediterranean climate and diverse terroir create wines of exceptional character, the same warm, dry winds that sweep across the veld have perfected the ancient technique of air-drying premium cuts of meat into the delicacy we know as biltong.

The Dutch settlers who first planted vines in Stellenbosch in the 1650s were the same pioneers who refined the indigenous methods of meat preservation, creating biltong as we know it today. Both traditions required an intimate understanding of climate, timing, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation.

Today, this shared heritage creates a natural harmony on the palate. The complex tannins and fruit-forward notes of a Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon find their perfect complement in the rich, concentrated flavours of traditionally spiced beef biltong. The crisp minerality of a Swartland Chenin Blanc awakens the subtle game notes in kudu biltong, while the spicy warmth of a Paarl Shiraz enhances the aromatic spices that have seasoned our biltong for generations.

This is more than pairing—it's a celebration of South African terroir, where two master crafts unite to create an experience that honours our past while delighting the modern palate.