An authentic Italian lunch should be simple, made from best quality ingredients, and matched with excellent (and lots) of wine.

Invite nonna over, or grandma, get some pals over, and deliver a feast that’s casual, easy, and just like they do in Italy.

The Starter

Smoked olives are a simple, delicious match for your first glass of something.

Drinks writer Mike Bennie says, “You’re not going to want to be too fancy or complicated with this menu. A nice aperitif style white for olives, savoury red for pasta, a liqueur to finish. Easy as.”

Drink match: Light, fresh white (try Jericho Fiano)

The Main

Puttanesca is always fast, made using what’s in the pantry and vine-ripened tomatoes. Turn this around in no time at all and watch it disappear even faster.

Drink match: Savoury, spicy red (Matteo Coreggia Barbera)

The Dessert

A riff on that brilliant hot coffee, cold ice cream Italian invention.

Drink match: Italian liqueur to finish (try Lazzaroni Amaretto 1851)