Easter mains prove easy to pair with wine

Whether or not you and your people celebrate Easter next weekend, it’s as good an excuse as any to gather with family and friends over a nice meal.

A traditional Easter dinner usually consists of glazed ham, lamb or even prime rib, although some opt for good old roast turkey for the big spring meal — all mains that are pretty easy to pair with wines, whether you prefer wine, red or pink. It’s the conventional Easter sides, such as asparagus or devilled eggs, where wine pairing can get a bit tricky.

Brunch is another popular meal over which to convene on the Easter weekend — think frittatas, fresh fruit, pastries and other late-morning/midday eats. While some might opt for coffee/juice with such options, why not offer the option to sip on something a little stronger?

Regardless of what you have planned for the Easter weekend, here are a half-dozen wines that will work with the conventional dinner, an earlier-in-the-day buffet or most other options for your festive eats.

The Cantina Zaccagnini NV Brut Blanc de Blancs (Abruzzo, Italy — $24.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) is an eastern Italian bubbly made in the Charmat method (where bubbles are added in steel tanks rather than created in the bottle) from “white grapes,” says the winery website (presumably some combination of Trebbiano, Pecorino and maybe Chardonnay). It’s pale straw in appearance and offers fresh red apple, melon, lemon zest and pear notes aromatically; on the light-bodied, mainly dry palate it brings delivering crunchy fresh apple, lemon zest, pear and chalky notes with bright effervescence, medium acidity and, at 12 per cent alcohol, a modest-length finish. A bit simple for the price, but tasty — particularly at brunch with eggs, light salads, mild cheeses and fresh fruit (or in a mimosa). 3/5

The Casas del Bosque 2024 Botanic Series Rosé (Casablanca Valley, Chile — $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) is sourced from the coolest section of the Casablanca Valley; made from Pinot Noir grapes, this rosé is pinkish peach in appearance and offers fresh floral, raspberry, strawberry candy and peach notes with a subtle chalky note. It’s light-bodied and dry, brimming with ripe berry and peach flavours but also with a lovely chalky note that comes with medium acidity and, at 13 per cent alcohol, a modest finish. Fermented in concrete eggs rather than stainless steel tanks, which provides some depth and texture. Would work with ham, or most brunch-y hors d’oeuvres (think smoked salmon). 4/5

From steep, stony slopes in the Mosel Valley comes the Martin Müllen 2021 Krover Paradis Riesling Kabinett Trocken (Mosel, Germany — $36.95, Kenaston Wine Market), medium straw in appearance and with aromas of apple seed, lemon oil, herbal, tart peach and chalky minerals. It’s light-plus-bodied and off-dry (clocking in at 10 per cent alcohol), with vibrant lemon, green apple and lime zest flavours that burst out of the glass, loads of stony minerality that adds complexity (and almost a hint of spritz), racy acidity and a long, lingering finish. It’s drinking exceptionally well now, and would sing with a glazed ham or turkey while working just as well with any brunch fare (including sushi). Really outstanding stuff. 5/5

For something on the drier side, the Tawse 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay (Vinemount Ridge, Ont. — $26.95, Jones & Co.) is a top-shelf option. Pale straw in appearance, this organic, sustainable Ontario Chardonnay from a benchmark producer in the region offers up-front red apple, crisp peach and tart citrus (think grapefruit and lemon zest) notes. On the light-plus bodied palate it’s dry and delicious, with the above flavours coming with subtle chalkiness and modest acidity that linger on the medium-length finish. Would work nicely with turkey or even lamb. Grab this wine from Jones & Co. before the end of March — $5 from each bottle of Chardonnay sold at the store will go to an education fund for the niece of Rebecca Lechman, who worked at the shop (and loved Chardonnay) until her death in 2020. 4/5

On the red wine side of things, the Emiliana 2023 O Reserva Pinot Noir (Chile — $15.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) has solid charm for the price, and would work with any of the traditional Easter mains. Pale brick-ish cherry in appearance, this organic and sustainable Chilean Pinot Noir brings fresh cherry, earth, plum and forest-floor notes aromatically. It’s light-plus-bodied and dry, with ripe cherry and plum flavours along with secondary earth, caramel, red licorice and spice notes, mild tannins and, at 13.5 per cent alcohol, a slightly warming finish. Chill for 15 minutes. 3.5/5

If Pinot Noir is not your cup of tea, the Rocim 2024 Vale de Mata (Lisboa, Portugal — $23.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) is another red with plenty of potential for Easter meals, particularly lamb or prime rib. A 60-40 blend of indigenous Portuguese grapes Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, this minimal-intervention red sourced from vines grown on steep slopes is deep garnet in appearance, bringing plum, blackberry, ripe cherry and subtle mocha, baking spice and white pepper aromas. It’s dry and medium-bodied, with ripe, plush blueberry, blackberry and cherry flavours rounded out by a cocoa/mocha component and subtle peppery notes. Tannins are soft and fine, and the 13 per cent alcohol seems just right; chill for 15 minutes before serving. (Would also work well with pizza or burgers, should that be your fare of choice.) 4/5

winnipegfreepress.com/bensigurdson