AND TO DRINK...

Drinks editor Yvonne Lorkin suggests drinks matches for these dishes.

Chicken with Cinnamon and Lemon Rice

I love the Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Viognier 2015 ($25) with this dish. The lift of cinnamon and lemon are delicious with the jasmine and apricot characters in the wine. Rich and luscious, yet crispy on the palate, it’s perfect with this tender, tangy chicken dish. Buy from tohuwines.co.nz.

Baked Sweet Potato and Coriander Falafels

Three Boys 10th Anniversary Apricot Ale 330ml ($10.99) is perfect with this dish. They’ve created a superfresh, beautifully balanced ale where apricot combines with caramelised toffee malts to give richness, complexity and intense yum. For stockists in your area, email office@ threeboysbrewery.co.nz.

Roasted Clams with Capsicum and Paprika

There is nothing more droolinducing than a glass of snappy, fat, passionfruit and lime-laden sav to help you soak up this gorgeous shellfish dish. The Waipara Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($18) hits that spot perfectly. Enjoy the tang of basil, tomato leaf and peach with this smoky, plate-licking recipe. Buy from waiparahillswines.co.nz.

Rigatoni with Quick Pork and White Wine Ragu

Softly, softly is how the superfloral example of the Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($27) plays out with this creamy recipe. Hints of fresh lawn clippings, basil, sweet pea and some plucky, preserved lemon layers give it lusciousness, length and complexity. Buy from gladstonevineyard.co.nz.

Stir-fried Lamb, Veges and Mixed Rice

Run out and grab a glass of Akarua Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 ($43) pronto, because it’s perfection with this snazzy stirfry. Clove, mace, baked cherry, anise and buckets of bouncy, plush acidity and cuddly, furry tannins make this a “must try before you die” wine. It’s darned delicious. Buy from akarua.com.

Rump Steak Kebabs with Fresh Pineapple Salsa

Reach for a squealer of Good George Black Lager 946ml ($15.99) to sip with these kebabs. A seasonal release that screams coffee, seasoned leather, caramelised, malty magic alongside super-fresh acidity and fruitiness – it works perfectly with the citrus salsa. Buy from finewinedelivery.co.nz.

Baked Eggs with Spring Greens

Epic Brewing Chromium Pale Ale 500ml ($7.49) has intense caramelised malts, a delicious, dried lemon rind aroma, cheek-slapping richness and a long, nutty finish. It’s perfect with the creaminess of the eggs and the aromatic spring greens. Buy from craftbeeronline.co.nz.

Banana and Chocolate Frangipane Tart

The toffee-infused, magically musky terrificness of the Ataahua Late Harvest Waipara Gewurztraminer 2014 ($26) is indulgently, dangerously good with this banana-choc beauty. Buy from ataahuawine.co.nz.