MIX AND MATCH

Martinborough wines are being packed up onto a huge truck, moving to Wellington, and morphing into the Match Wine bar for the Wellington on a Plate food festival.

“Match Wine Bar is all about the delights of matching good wine and good food, and raising awareness of the region’s fine wines,” says organising group chair Margaret Hanson (The Elder Pinot). Nothing could be more pop-up than The Nation ‘transformer truck’, cleverly designed to unfold into a fully-equipped 80-seater bar. It fascinates kids of all ages, and is easy to find at Ilott Green, just off Civic Square.

With 40 wines from Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton, independently selected by leading Sommelier Cameron Douglas, Match Wine bar is a joint venture between Wines From Martinborough and Wairarapa Wines. “We are encouraging Wellingtonians to explore the depth and breadth of our wines, reinforcing that we are Wellington’s very own wine region,” commented Margaret Hanson.

“Because excellent wines deserve excellent food, top Wellington caterer and 24-year veteran of Toast Martinborough, Ruth Pretty, is creating a whole new menu. “Each tasting plate to share has a recommended wine match or two, and guests are encouraged to mix and match to their palate’s content,” she explained.

In addition, a matched Cheese selection with wines (from C’est Cheese in Featherston) and funky chocolates with wines (from Schoc Chocolate, Greytown) are expected to be very popular.

Match Wine Bar opens on 14 August. Martinborough residents – full-timers and weekenders – are encouraged to pop in, try the food and wine matches, and bring their friends to share the experience.

Photo caption: Angus Thompson (Urlar Wines), Larry McKenna (Escarpment) and Ruth Pretty (Ruth Pretty Catering) are bringing fine regional wines and matching food to the Match Wine Bari in Wellington.