AND TO DRINK…
Drinks editor Yvonne Lorkin suggests matches for these dishes.
1. ORECCHIETTE A soft, fruity red wine is just the ticket to sip with these peppery little morsels. I love the Putangi Central
Otago Pinot Noir 2019 ($31) because it manages to pack a tonne of rosehip, raspberry, cherry and redcurrant into every mouthful. With powdery tannins providing a softly textured grip around the gums, it’s a lengthy and lithe wine that’ll win fans. putangiwines.co.nz 2. RED HILOPITES SOUP
This rich tomato soup absolutely roars with the shiny, new Pegasus Bay Waipara Merlot Cabernet ($33). Showing the signature plum, pepper and cocoa characters of merlot, alongside the bay leaf, a tweak of tobacco and blueberry notes of cabernet sauvignon, it has a ripe, elegant mouthfeel, good generosity and fine-grained, tongue-clicking tannins to finish. pegasusbay.com
3. PACCHERI WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Sling some of the gorgeous Pask Gimblett Gravels
Chardonnay 2018 ($22) into a glass and you’ll be away. It overflows with ripe nectarine, grapefruity goodness and is simultaneously crisp, crunchy, and sweetly roasted. A couple of years on from vintage and the wine is developing extra juiciness and complexity. pask.co.nz 4. LENTIL PASTITSIO
Prepare your palate for a blitzkrieg of pepper as soon as the cap comes off the Alpha Domus Collection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 ($18.99). The savoury, leathery layers cocoon the plummy core on this Bridge Pa baby. It’s a wine that’ll easily create a good mood if given good company and good food. alphadomus.co.nz 5. SICILIAN SPAGHETTI SARDINES Three of my favourite things in the same recipe! I added a fourth with a glass of Thirty One Rows Marlborough Rosé 2019 ($23). Using organically grown fruit from the emerging Northbank subregion of Marlborough, Andrew Bailey has used a combo of stainless steel and a rare, teardrop-shaped Perle de Quintessence French oak barrel to create a dry, spicy, Provence-style rosé that’s perfection with this pasta. blackmarket.co.nz
6. RICOTTA GNUDI These lemony, pillowy morsels collide with the piquancy of the onions and saltiness of the pecorino and the best possible liquid companion is a tall glass of Mcleod’s Paradise Pale Ale 500ml ($8.50). Brewed in Waipu, Northland, the light malty tones merge with citrus and soothing nutty notes are just groovy with this gnudi. vinofino.co.nz