AND TO DRINK…

Drinks editor Yvonne Lorkin suggests matches for these dishes.

1. CROQUE MADAME BREAKFAST CROISSANTS Ham, Gruyère cheese and fluffy pastry – what a combo! For me this breakfast treat is only made finer with fizz. The Clos Henri Chapel Block Marlborough Blanc de Noirs Methode Traditionnelle 2018 ($40) 100% pinot noir has been carefully crafted into individually-numbered bottles of beautiful, biscuit-scented bubbles that when poured, shows delicacy, citrus-centric flavours, nutty nuances and yay-inducing yeasty-ness on the finish.

closhenri.com

2. SLOW-BRAISED SHOULDER OF LAMB WITH OREGANO AND LEMON SALSA Two things we Kiwis share with those awesome Argentineans is that we love lamb and malbec as much as they do. So when a great example of their signature red grape is grown locally, it’s on like Donkey Kong. The Ka Tahi Rangatira Seven Barrel Reserve Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2018 ($28) is a spicy, meaty, berry-soaked, smooth sensation that’s a liquid lovefest with slow-cooked lamb. katahiwines.com 3. RAW VEGETABLE SALAD WITH STRACCIATELLA

I love the crazy-good crunchiness of these baby veges and the creamy stringiness of the stracciatella

with the absolutely glorious Greystone Organic Waipara

Valley Chardonnay 2019 ($42). Bursting with ripe, roasted peachy flavours, caramelised toasty complexity and creamy, lemon cheesecake layers on the finish, it’s downright delicious with this dish. greystonewines.co.nz 4. CHORIZO RED LENTIL AND TOMATO SOUP WITH SIZZLED HALOUMI Instantly my sauvignon blanc-senses kicked into gear when looking at the heat of the chorizo, the saltiness of the sizzled haloumi and the tanginess of the tomato, however a soft, subtle, more sweet, tropical style is what is called for. The Monowai Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020 ($20) has all of that in spades. Lemon posset, sugar snap pea and perky, peachy flavours make it perfect. monowai.co.nz 5. CHOCOLATE AND GINGER MOUSSE WITH HONEY ROAST PEARS The only thing that could make this chococolate-ginger-honey combo any dreamier than it already is is the Duncan’s Brewing Maple Pancake Imperial Pastry Stout (330ml $10). I love the lift of the vanilla, classic maple sweetness, almond meal and milk chocolate on the nose and palate. Creamy, cocoa-driven and outrageously perfect and luxurious to sip. duncansbrewing.co.nz