Obikwa just the ticket to cheery times

[caption id="attachment_37054" align="alignright" width="250"] CHEAP 'N CHEERFUL: A bacon, brie and balsamic onion pizza is recommended as an ideal partner to Obikwa Merlot[/caption]

INEXPENSIVE doesn't have to mean "cheap 'n nasty". When the weather is as chilly as the past few days and pay-day is a distant memory, "cheap 'n cheerful" is just the ticket.

The clever marketers at Distell have got a good thing going with the easy-drinking, pocket-friendly Obikwa range. It sells in more than 40 countries – helped no doubt by its fun image, funky "ethnic" packaging and its name (derived from an indigenous South African tribe, apparently).

Priced locally at around R30, the reds even get a fair nod from the venerable Platter's reviewers, with 2.5 to 3 stars putting them in the "good everyday drinking" and "characterful, appealing" categories.

Good descriptions, as these accessible wines are made for commercial success, for drinking now with a casual braai or fireside meal.

They're definitely not for sniffing, swirling and elaborate descriptions of bouquets and palates.

Cellarmaster Michael Bucholz recommends a balsamic onion, bacon and brie pizza with the merlot. Those salty and sharp flavours would probably balance well against the wine's characteristic merlot chocolatey and sweetish fruit flavours. It's a tad rough around the edges, but very quaffable for what it is.

The cabernet sauvignon is soft and light with clean red fruit flavours – unfussy, easy-drinking and food-friendly. The shiraz is uncomplicated too, but juicy with typical spiciness (Platter's calls it "party wine" and yes, it would probably satisfy a broad range of tastes at a festive gathering).

The pinotage is possibly the pick of the bunch, with deeper flavours than you'd expect in entry-level wine. It's got some typical savoury flavours in a juicy, aromatic package and is a good winter's evening stand-by on its own or with hearty stews and tomato-based pastas.

There's a bunch of white options in the range too, as well as a happy pinotage rosé and even a dry bubbly.

They've also got "green appeal", with lightweight bottles helping to lower the carbon footprint generated in transporting the wine and the website describing the farming practices as sustainable and eco-friendly.

- A Vine Time, with Sam Venter