Wine: With love from Italy

Don’t wait for the moon to hit-a your eye with a big-a pizza pie. Stop. Sip. And feel the amore immediately …

CA dei Frati I Frati Lugana 2015 $29.90

Don't let the discombobulating name worry you because as soon as you sip this wonderful Italian white, all will be right with the world. Crafted from 100 per cent turbiana - a rare, white grape indigenous to the Lake Garda area of Veneto, this is stunningly aromatic, all apricot stone, nectarine and quince, followed by ultra-zesty acidity, a beautifully balanced, succulent mouthfeel and a long, peachy finish.

Sip with: grilled sardines.

Monte Carbonare Suavia 2014 $29.90

How groovy is this bottle? Its name, Monte Carbonare, means "hill of coal", probably derived from the deep, volcanic soils of Veneto where it's grown. This Soave (sew-arvay) is made from 100 per cent garganega grapes. I love the dry, cleansing texture and lemon pith, lychee, peach and quince layers. It's gorgeous - more please!

Sip with: lemon and leek risotto.

Pieropan Valpolicella Superiore Ruberpan 2012 $39

Here's a beautifully earthy blend of certified organic, corvina veronese, rondinella corvinone and croatina veronese grapes grown in the hills of the Cellore d'Illasi in the Valpolicella region. Gently juicy, it's a strawberry and cherry-soaked red that'll have you shouting "Mamma Mia!" within a seconds of your first sip. Saucy, smooth and savoury-edged - it's a star.

Sip with: margherita pizza.

Yvonne Lorkin is a wine retailer, wine writer and member of the Wine Writers of NZ.