My outdoor grill, my most used piece of cooking equipment, had unfortunately been out of action for the last few months.

The drip tray (the tray that catches the crud that falls through the bars) on said grill had rusted, and needed to be replaced.

A quick phone call to Sears, $40 and 5 weeks later, and imagine my delight when the part arrived! I opened the box and imagine my dismay when I realized the part was the wrong size!!!

Now; if I was female, I probably would have displayed a slight frown, repackaged the grill part back neatly into its box and got on the phone with Sears to explain my situation. They probably would have offered to pick up the tray free of charge and overnight a new one at no additional cost, problem solved. However I am NOT female. I’M A MAN!!!

What I did do was shout every bad-word I know at the grill tray (including a few new ones I spontaneously invented), got in the car, drove to Lowe’s (on a side note, doesn’t Lowe’s play the best music!), spent more money on equipment to modify it than I did on the original tray itself (including safety goggles and gloves). I then drove back home; and in a scene reminiscent from the 80’s TV Show “The A-Team, sparks were flying, bolts were being tightened and I believe even some blood was spilt! I love it when a plan comes together!

Problem solved, onto the food and wine, and after all of this I NEEDED some of the red stuff!

The wine I selected was the Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage from Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Pinotage is a grape unique to South Africa. Created in 1925, Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault [San-so], and it used to be the 2nd most widely planted red grape in South African vineyards. Plantings have now been overtaken by Cabernet and Shiraz/Syrah. Red wines made from the grape tend to be medium to full bodied in style, and show cherry, raspberry, spice, tobacco and leather. However if not made correctly, the wines can show banana, charcoal and burnt rubber flavors; not so delicious!Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage from South Africa Thankfully the Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage IS made correctly!