Bring la dolce vita home

Mediterranean Mecca

Nestled among panelbeaters, plumbers and other trade-oriented whatnot down the industrialised end of Tuam St in Christchurch is a veritable oasis for anyone yearning for a Mediterranean wine-and-food fix.

The wine shelves at Mediterranean Foods are almost back to their bulging best following the February 2011 earthquake and Italian fans will find a lip-smacking selection of wines from practically every region.

From Sardinia to Sicily, Tuscany to Veneto, the thing that makes me visit time and time again is the affordability of those wines.

I've found absolute gems for under $20 plus plenty of pricey, famous names that'll win friends and influence people at your next dinner party.

Known for its cooking classes, Mediterranean Foods' chef and manager, Nik Mavromatis, also runs regular speciality European wine-tasting classes on site and his team provides private classes, if desired. If you hail from out of town be sure to pop in the next time you're in Christchurch because it's an Aladdin's Cave of cuisine. For more information, see www.mediterraneanfoods.co.nz

Arneis Invasion

From Dolcetto to Marzemino, Montepulciano to Sangiovese, Aglianico to Arneis - New Zealand is no slouch when it comes to producing Italian varieties.

Indeed, there's an Arneis invasion occurring in pretty much every one of our wine regions. It's a typically floral, crisp and full-bodied white with hints of herbaceousness and spicy, citrus notes. Homefront favourites of mine right now are The Doctors' Marlborough Arneis ($25), Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke's Bay Arneis ($20), the Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Arneis ($35) and the Montana Showcase Series Gisborne Arneis ($22).

Word on the street is that my other favourite, grown by Gisborne's Matawhero Vineyards, has recently been released under the name Bianchetta. A precious 50 cases will be available under its Church House brand via its cellar door - and if it's anything like their past efforts with Arneis, it's definitely worth a trip to the east coast for.

It's not just for cooking

My new favourite thing is to sip a chilled glass of a cheeky, but nonetheless high quality, Marsala while nibbling slivers of lovely, salty parmesan or a rich, creamy blue like Whitestone Windsor Blue.

Try the Lombardo Marsala Superiore Ambra Garibaldi Dolce ($27) from the Mediterranean Food Company. Made from 50 per cent Grillo and 50 per cent Catarratto, "superiore" means it's aged in the barrel for two years, "ambra" means it's amber coloured, being made from only white grapes, and "garibaldi" means it has natural sweetness and a minimum of 18 per cent alcohol.

Now go forth with your new-found knowledge and conquer.