AND TO DRINK...
Drinks editor Yvonne Lorkin suggests drinks matches for these dishes.
Beer Battered Fish and Chips with Smashed Peas
Try something left of centre flavour-wise by opting for the Zeffer Hopped Cider 330ml ($7.99) with this seafood snack. An herbaceous, spritzy, crunchy-fresh taste sensation that sings with tender fish and spicy chips. Buy from craftbeeronline.co.nz.
Kingfish Sashimi with Pickled Ginger Syrup
Immediately I’m reaching for a chilled goblet of Ozeki Tatewake Sake 1800ml ($45) to serve with this tasty dish. A smooth, full-bodied sake, it has a luscious minerality which wraps around the melt-in-yourmouth slivers of fish and works beautifully with the ginger. Buy from tokyoliquor.co.nz.
Popcorn Squid with Chilli and Lime
Grab a bottle of Giesen Gemstone Marlborough Riesling 2017 ($19) and get ready for a taste explosion of sweet apple, pear and lime, which work sensationally well with these spicy, citrusy seafood poppers. It’s juicy, tangy, taut and super tasty. Buy from giesen.co.nz.
Mussel and Chorizo Fritters
I love the juicy passionfruit and lemony loveliness in the Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon
Blanc 2016 ($25) with these gorgeous mussel fritters. The natural, tropical sweetness in the wine works perfectly with the spicy chorizo too. Buy from astrolabewines.co.nz.
Seafood and Chorizo Paella
Perfumed with baked plum and cherry notes, the Clos Marguerite Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 ($46) also boasts soft, savoury, creamy layers on the palate that rock with these paella flavours. This pinot noir is complex, delicate and yet boasts lovely depth of character. Buy from closmarguerite.co.nz.
Tuna Tartare with Paprika Corn Chips
A refreshing, cleansing ale is exactly the order of the day for this tender tuna and spicy chips dish. I’m loving the Sawmill extra Pale Ale 330ml ($7) because it’s super crisp yet richly flavoured, malty and generous enough to cuddle the paprika layers and fleshy, rich tuna. Buy from sawmillbrewery.co.nz.
Crunchy Oyster Bao
Fantini Swarovski Gran Cuvée Bianco NV ($26) has a subtle perfume of fresh apple and the palate finishes crisp and texturally dry. Clean and very pretty (check out the Swarovski crystal on the label) it works beautifully with the pickled cucumber and slaw. Buy from touchofitaly.co.nz.
Prawn and Ginger Dumplings
It’s the flavours of ginger and chilli that make me want a glass of the Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Gewürztraminer 2017 ($26) pronto. Its pineapple, ginger, lychee, and sneaky citrus notes merge with a musky finish, making it tasty with these delicious dumplings. Buy from vinofino.co.nz.