Yvonne’s pick . . .

When I’m thinking about matching drinks to meals, I’m all about the main event. I have about as much interest in the side dishes as I do in watching Youtube videos of Kardashians telling me how to “contour”. Ain’t got time fo’ that. However Annabel’s sides this week do look a tad flash, so I’ll get over myself and have a crack. Jenny Dobson Hawke’s Bay Fiano 2017 ($35)

Fiano is rare in New Zealand (like good punctuation or affordable school photos) and Jenny Dobson makes just microscopic amounts of it. Native to Campania, fiano’s home happens to be in the volcanic soils around Mt Vesuvius (note the erupting volcano on the label). It has clearly found a happy home in Hawke’s Bay. It’s absolutely one of my “desert island drinks” because it’s so satisfying, crisp and exotic with its perfume of wild flowers, ginger, and green peppercorn, racy-dry acidity, and licks of lemongrass and nougat on the finish. It’s pretty much perfection with potato gratin of any description.

For availability in your area, email Jenny at winetrust@xtra.co.nz