AND TO DRINK…
Drinks editor Yvonne Lorkin suggests matches for these dishes.
1. BAKED SPINACH AND RICOTTA GNOCCHI You simply must try the Sam Harrop Bridge Pa Fiano 2019 ($39) with this dish. A rare, local version of a Campanian variety, its green peppercorn, lemongrass and nutty minerality make it a stunning sip. Seriously. It’s delish. samharropwine.com
2. PASTA WITH LEMON, CREAM AND PARMESAN No question, the perfect partner is the JK.14 Ombra de Vin Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut ($19.99). ‘Ombra’ means ‘shadow’ but each sip is bouncy and light and loaded with citrus and soft, nutty notes. Imported by ex-all Black John Kirwan, it’s the real deal and delicious. jk14wines.com
3. PASTA WITH ANCHOVIES, AND CAPERS The pasta’s intense flavours can be corralled in your cakehole with a tall glass of Eagle Brewing Untamed NZ
Pilsner 330ml ($23.99 x 6pk).
Its tropical and herbaceous tones and ultra-crisp, taut finish cuddles the currants and capers beautifully. eaglebrewing.nz
4. PORK SAUSAGE MEATBALL LASAGNE Pork and fennel are like love and marriage with pinot gris, so pair this recipe with the Beach House Ohiti Road Hawke's Bay Pinot Gris 2019 ($20). Ripe, spicy and packed with juicy fruit, it’s excellent here. beachhouse.co.nz
5. SEMOLINA GNOCCHI I’ve got two words for you. Grüner veltliner. It leans deliciously into the mineral, quartzy end of the
spectrum and shows a tweak of nashi and nectarine among floral fabulousness, making it groove gorgeously with this dish. The Wairau River Single Vineyard Marlborough Grüner Veltliner 2018 ($30) is amazing. wairauriverwines.com
6. GNOCCHI WITH GARLIC PRAWNS The Paynter’s The Huntress Medium Cider 500ml ($8.99) is a trophy-winning cider whose pure apple and spice intensity work amazingly with the smoked chilli and prawns in this dish. vinofino.co.nz
7. SQUID INK PASTA Pair this with a deeply flavoured dark beer such as the 8 Wired Flat White Nitro Coffee Milk
Stout 400ml ($7.99). Its clean coffee tones and hint of malt sweetness work sensationally with the chilli and garlic in the pasta. 8wired.co.nz
8. CHICKEN AND FENNEL BOLOGNAISE I can’t think of anything more delicious to sip with this rich bolognaise than the Zaria Hawke’s Bay
Chardonnay 2019 ($30) because its roast peach, pineapple, brûlée and nougat notes are ultrafresh, elegant and very flash with fennel. zaria.co.nz
9. POTATO GNOCCHI The cherry-saturated, spicedriven Main Divide Waipara
Valley Pinot Noir 2018 ($24.99) is essential sipping with the tender mushrooms and pillowy gnocchi. Intensely gamey and doused with dried herbs, it’s beyond delicious. maindivide.com