Quick bites: A sip of summer

Isaac's Pear Cider 6 Pack. Photo / Supplied

Is there anything that hints at summer more than sweet, refreshing cider? Macs Beer have put an added spin on the idea with the launch of Isaac's pear cider, a light, dry sparkling number that will tickle your tastebuds. Out now in 12 packs, $28.99 , six packs, $16.49 or on tap at Macs Brewbars.

Melbourne food & wine

Travelling gourmets will have a big circle around March 4-14, 2011 for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. The starry line-up of top chefs for next year's masterclass series includes Nigella Lawson, Spain's Elena Arzak and Denmark's Thorsten Schmidt. Kiwis include Alexa Johnston (author of Ladies A Plate) and Anna Hansen, who's currently thrilling London diners with her restaurant Modern Pantry. For a festival programme and a list of visiting chefs, visit melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Cider house rules

A round of applause please for Old Mout's delicious BoysenCider, which took home a gold medal at the Indy International Wine competition held in the US in August. BoysenCider, made with boysenberry wine, is a sweet, thirst-quenching cider with a difference - and one of boutique Nelson cider maker Redwood Cellars' best-selling ciders. The company took home another six silver medals for its other cider varieties and sparkling fruit wines. Old Mout's BoysenCider is $14.99 for a four-pack or $10.99 for 1.25 litres, from supermarkets. redwoodcellars.co.nz

Tip of the iceberg

Icecream? So five minutes ago ... we've had our heads turned by yummy Piako frozen yoghurt. Made from all-NZ products and free of preservatives, artificial flavours or colours, and gluten, the thick creamy yoghurt comes in three flavours: Lime Zest (our favourite), Passionfruit and Lemon Curd, $14.99 for a 750ml tub. Visit piakoyoghurt.co.nz for stockists.

Take the cake

Frou-frou up the kid's birthday cakes with Queen Icing Decorations and Coloured Cachous. Try the Little Princesses - all hearts, butterflies and tiaras - or how about the Jungle Mania collection with monkey faces, pandas, tigers, elephants and more. Or Go Sports for cricket and rugby fans. Boxed sets of 12 for $4.99 from supermarkets and specialty food stores. queenessences.com.au