Wine pairings for Mary Berry’s new cookbook
Smoked salmon and burrata sharing platter
Olly’s wine pairing: Marks & Spencer Terre di Chieti Pecorino 2021 (12%) £8
The oiliness of smoked salmon calls for a wine with piercing zing to cut through it, and I love the definition of this lime and lemony pecorino (the grape’s name, nothing to do with the cheese!). With an upbeat, lingering trail of brightness, this wine cleanses the palate ready for the next bite.
Jumbo Lentil Rolls
Olly’s wine pairing: Kaapzicht Estate Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2021 (13.5%) £13.99, Waitrose
Butter pastry is spot on for chenin blanc from South Africa. This one has been carefully matured with a little bit of judicious French oak to round out the texture. A rare find made of older vines which produce fruit of immense character, this is a world-class white wine of pineapple intensity to savour and celebrate.
Provence Tomato and Garlic Pistou Tart
Olly’s wine pairing: Provence Rosé 2021 (50cl, 13%) £8.50, Co-op
Tomatoes and garlic always sing when paired with a Provençal rosé. This blend of local grapes delivers a balance of peachiness with light spice, and the subtle, savoury character picks up splendidly with the cheese. Serve cool in a generous glass and you can practically hear the cicadas stridulating in the French sunshine!
Harissa Halloumi and Squash Skewers
Olly’s wine pairing: Aldi Specially Selected Prosecco DOCG (11%) £7.99
Exuberant bubbly like this is a delight to pour with a range of light bites like these skewers. Expect exotic fresh flavours of tangerine and melon from this juicy Italian fizz – and serve it in white wine glasses rather than flutes to maximise the aromas. Extra enjoyment for free.
Ginger and orange polenta cake
Olly’s wine pairing: Les Jardiniers Muscat de St Jean de Minervois (37.5cl, 15%) £5.25, Sainsbury’s
This dessert wine is laden with orange scent, which is spot on for this cake, and packed with lusciousness, so a little goes a long way. Serve chilled in small glasses, or in shot glasses for a tiny tipple to lift the cake to the next level. Such fun – and great value for a half-bottle too.
Baked Ricotta Cheesecake with Blackberry Coulis
Olly’s wine pairing: Tesco Finest Dessert Semillon (37.5cl, 10%) £6.25
A cracking value half-bottle from Down Under that’s a gem served cold with cheesecake. Late harvest semillon takes on a syrupy texture that’s packed with scrumptious sweet fruit and a pleasing uptick of zing on the finish. Somewhere between a peach and a mango, this rich dessert wine is made by the famed De Bortoli estate.
Glazed French Peach Tart
Olly’s wine pairing: Morrisons The Best Sauternes (37.5cl, 14%) £12
This is a splash-out, but Sauternes and peach tart is a classic combo. Serve it lightly chilled in a white wine glass and savour its sweet splendour. Such a small amount is produced from each vine that every last luscious drop feels utterly special.
