6 Wines to Pair with Your Easter Feast!

Easter is fast approaching and with it my desire for light, refreshing wines that pair beautifully with the flavors of Spring. Here are some recommendations for wines that will pair perfectly with your Easter meal, from the rack of lamb to the Honey Baked Ham! These wines are moderate in regard to alcohol and tannin with a nice balance of fruit and will appeal to a variety of palates. This week only, enter the code “EASTER“at checkout (or mention it to us for phone orders) to receive $10 off your order of $100 or more.

Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, NV ($16): Italian winemakers Franco De Biasio and Michele Faccin crafted this lightly sparkling wine from a blend of 85% Lambrusco Grasparossa and 15% Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir). Secondary fermentation (how the wine gets its bubbles) took place using the Charmat method resulting in a lightly sparkling wine with an inviting pale pink color. The nose has fragrant aromatics of red berries while on the palate flavors of raspberry, strawberry and citrus accompany a delightfully dry finish. This wine is an excellent aperitif and also pairs well with a variety of cuisines.

Seven Hills Dry Rosé, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2013 ($16): 2013 is the first vintage of this delightful, dry rosé from Seven Hills winemaker Casey McLellan. It is based on specific vineyard blocks of Bordeaux varietals which are farmed specifically for this wine crafted in the style of classic French Provencal rosés. It is delicate and refreshing, pale in color, and bone-dry with flavors of peach, grapefruit, and papaya as well as fresh herbs, white flowers, and a hint of spice. Because it is a blend of 70% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 15% Malbec it has lovely structure and presence as well – I like to call this wine the red wine drinker’s rosé!

“the girls in the vineyard” Sauvignon Blanc, California, 2013 ($15): These grapes hail from the Rooster Vineyard in Lake County located one hour north of the Napa Valley. The grapes grow on the gravelly soils of an ancient riverbed which sits 1,350 feet above sea level and experiences gloriously warm days, followed by pleasantly cool nights. On the nose, aromas of peach and citrus set your tastebuds humming while on the palate, crisp, fresh notes of lemon zest, ripe peach and pear finish with a hint of lemongrass. This wine is fermented entirely in stainless steel to preserve its crisp, fresh fruit flavors and makes for a very versatile partner at the table.

Feudo Maccari Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy, 2011 ($17): Just over a mile from the sea on the southern tip of Sicily, Feudo Maccari was established in 2000. The estate is assembled from more than fifty separate plots of land, which translates to more complexity in their portfolio of wines. This wine is made from 100% Nero d’Avola grapes fermented in stainless steel tank to preserve the fresh fruit aromas and flavors. It has a deep purple color and exhibits inviting aromas of red fruit and spice. The palate rewards with savory flavors of black cherry, licorice and a hint of tobacco framed by just the right amount of acid and tannin.

Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir, Loire, France, 2011 ($24): Hailing from the heart of France’s Loire Valley, this “cuvée” is crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes from the thirty year old vines of Beaumont-en-Véron. The sandy and alluvial vineyard soils offer fruity and supple wines meant to be consumed in their youth. This medium-bodied red is perfect for Spring with fragrant aromatics of red and black fruit and flavors of cherry, damson plum and pomegranate. As is characteristic of the red wines of this region, it also has a bright, food-friendly acidity that will make a delicious accompaniment for your savory Easter lamb.

Copain Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA, 2010 ($26): Crafted by winemaker Wells Guthrie, this wine is an embodiment of the earthy, sweet beet root undertones that are indicative of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Guthrie takes his inspiration for Pinot Noir from the great wines of Burgundy and aims to create wines of elegance and balance. This medium-bodied wine has vibrant dark red fruit on the nose and palate and delivers pure, focused flavors with a great lift on the finish from the acidity. The 2010 vintage resulted in wines which are incredibly elegant and offer great tension and balance.

All of our Easter selections are available through The Wine Atelier (click here to view these wines in our wine boutique) and, as always, we offer 3 convenient ways to receive your wines, (1) pickup at our location at 900 E. Atlantic Avenue Suite #13, Delray Beach, FL 33483 (by appointment); (2) local delivery in the Boca Raton/Delray Beach area for orders $250 and (3) shipping via UPS. Please call us at 561.317.6663 with any questions and have a very Happy Easter!

Cheers,


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