Winter has its shortcomings, like the incredibly inconvenient freezing evenings we’ve had lately.

It also has its perks, including the perfect weather to indulge in rich, hot, hearty food.

Under lockdown, cooking is all the rage these days, and folks who have never handled a pot or pan in their lives are starting to discover skills that they didn’t know they had in the kitchen.

For those of you who were forward-thinking enough to fill the wine rack before the government interfered with our plans, there are two winter treats you’re going to want to try at home.

The following two recipes, from Anthonij Rupert Wines, will yield the ultimate in winter fare.

Enjoy some slow-cooked goodness with the Red Wine Braised Beef Short rib Potjie with Mushrooms & Gremolata – a classic combination of beef, red wine and mushrooms similar to a French-style bourguignon, but without the fuss.

Hearty and robust winter food at its finest, especially when paired with an Anthonij Rupert Wyne Cape Of Good Hope Wines Parel Vallei Farmstead Merlot.

The recipe below, for Curried Karoo Lamb Shanks, yields an incredibly fragrant and thick Cape Malay-style curry sauce, which works equally well with the fall-apart shanks and the lively, juicy palate of the wine with its ripe red and blueberry flavours.

Pair it with an Anthonij Rupert Wyne Cape Of Good Hope Wines Basson Pinotage.

Lovely – now I’m ravenous again.

Whilst there is a national ban on alcohol sales, the Rupert Wine online shop remains open, with deliveries scheduled to resume as soon as the new ban is lifted, so bookmark those recipes so that you have them on hand for when that happens.

As you will recall from the last time the ban was lifted, people scrambled to stock up. If you get your order in now, you’ll receive free delivery of your favourite wines, to your door, as soon as deliveries can resume.