Easter is fast approaching and this quintessential Spring holiday never ceases to inspire my desire for refreshing, food-friendly wines that pair beautifully with seasonally-inspired flavors.
So if you’re looking for the perfect wines to serve with your Easter feast (and perhaps all season long), here are five of my favorites. They all possess a beautiful balance of fruit and acidity as well as moderate alcohol and tannin that are sure to appeal to a variety of palates and pair perfectly with everything from rack of lamb to Honey Baked Ham!
Benvolio Prosecco DOC, Friuli, Italy, NV ($14): Brisk + bubbly with floral-infused aromas + flavors of green apple, citrus + pear, this sparkler is perfect as an aperitif or with brunchy type food. It’s reasonable price point also makes it perfect for Mimosas, Bellinis or other sparkling wine based drinks where you don’t want to mask the classic characteristics of more pricey Champagne.
Yangarra Estate Roussanne, McLaren Vale, Australia ($22): Fresh + fruit-forward, this juicy Aussie gem is 100% Roussanne, a grape indigenous to France’s Rhone Valley. Crafted with a kiss of French oak, Roussanne is known for its rich mouthfeel + lush notes of citrus, honeysuckle + spice. This wine pairs perfectly with Spring salads, seafood and/or shellfish + other lighter fare.
Whispering Angel Cotes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France ($24): This lovely, Provencal-style, DRY rose that kicked off the #RoseRevolution a decade ago is made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault + Rolle (aka Vermentino) grapes. In hallmark Provencal style, this wine delivers delicate, mineral-infused notes of rosewater, citrus + strawberry and is perfect on its own or paired with any variety of Spring-inspired foods such as ham or lamb.
Georges Duboeuf Jean Descombes Morgon, Beaujolais, France ($22): When it comes to Spring red wines, you simply MUST explore cru Beaujolais. Hailing from the Southernmost region of Burgundy, these fabulous light, fruity reds made from the Gamay grape are known for their fruity aromas + flavors and lack of astringent tannins. They are extremely versatile at the table + pair perfectly with ham + a variety of Spring/Easter dishes.
Copain Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California ($28): Hailing from Northern California’s Anderson Valley, this wine is an embodiment of the earthy, sweet beet root undertones that are indicative of the region’s Pinot Noir. 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.
Stephanie Miskew
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