Summer food and wine matches
Top chefs, like Ben Bayly, Peter Gordon and Monique Fiso, are currently at the forefront of exploring Aoteroa’s culinary identity. Our own experiences of quintessential kiwi food may be simpler over summer - but there’s always room to elevate them with some clever drink pairings.
- 01
The Christmas drinks — Be guests that impress
Smoked salmon blinis for days, turn up and pair to impress with Huia Sparkling Rosé 2017. With a label designed by Kate Syvelster, as a homage to artist Frances Hodgkins, this is beautiful, organic, dry sparkling Rosé from Marlborough’s original cool kids.
- 02
Christmas Leftovers — Reinvigorate a staple
You’ve been eating ham sandwiches, turkey and a consortium of salads for days. Shake it up by pairing leftover lunch with something like a Deep Down Pinot Noir 2020. It’s bright, crunchy, and best served a little chilled. It’s also fully backed with style and integrity, being organic and preservative-free.
- 03
Straight out of the water — Dry off
Fresh oysters, pipi fritters or whole baked snapper all beg for a squeeze of fresh lemon. Take this idea up a notch with Scout Riesling 2020. Marlborough grown, citrusy and bracingly dry in style, there's a reason wine geeks won’t shut up about drinking more Riesling.
- 04
Pastry Stop — Cut through
Eats at the beach or mates coming over for a feed, pies and sausage rolls are a classic quick go to. Cleanse that buttery goodness from your palette with a beer like a Citizen Pilsner. Both refreshing and reusing, fermentable starches from a rescued slice of surplus bread are used to make each Citizen can.
- 05
Backyard BBQ — Bring fragrance to flame
A list of quintessential kiwi food wouldn’t be complete without the BBQ, and it doesn’t get much better than a butterflied leg of lamb. Organised Chaos Hawkes Bay Syrah 2020 brings fragrance and forwardness that will stand up to the strength of flavour of both the lamb and the grill.
About the selector
Pete Connell is co-owner of Auckland-based wine retail business By The Bottle. With a 20 year career in the wine industry, he has been a sommelier at the likes of The Ledbury in London, Stokehouse in Melbourne, and currently Ahi in Auckland.