Easter Wine Pairing
A delicate art with gentle tones of white and red wines proving a subtle challenge to select. We were not, however defeated and discovered some great sources for the ‘Best Of’ for your Easter Table or Buffet.
From Mr and Mrs Romance we looked into the barrel of who and how:
5 wines for your Easter Table or Buffet.
We research wine pairings for easter and to share with your loved ones:
‘Choosing wine to bring to dinner is at times as hard as deciding where you should be during various public holidays. Do you do the family thing, or is it a catch-up with friends? Or can you conjure a night in with just the two of you?
Once again the Italians have the perfect expression for this kind of thing:
“Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi.”
It translates as ‘Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want.’ And if I know Sergio, he’d add at the end: “e sempre col vino.”
“And always with wine…”
White: Easter Wine Pair?
The possible starter pairing for light dishes for your celebrations and a popular wine.
“Sauvignon Blanc still has the classic marks of tropical fruit and a fresh aroma of an NZ Sauv Blanc, so serving this wine with barbecue prawns, fresh ceviche or sashimi sushi, or a pomegranate chicken salad would be perfect.”
On the other hand we looked at our favourite Waitrose Pairing and Recipe Guides and discovered some Fresh alternatives for picnicking and buffet tables:
Sauvignan Blanc
Thinking seafood and fresh harvested salads loaded with herbs.
Try scallops sautéed in garlic butter with a dash of lemon, with a side order of rocket and herb salad topped with fresh goat’s cheese.
A wine to be enjoyed at the peak of its vibrancy and freshness, we recommend drinking this wine closer than 2 or 3 years of vintage date.
Serve chilled as an aperitif or will suit:
- All manner of salads
- Seafood
- Cold meats
‘Perfect with fruit and fowl, a crispy duck and a glass of fresh pink to drink’ (Stewart Hill Wines)
Easter Wine pairing tangent
Ageing and oak barrels from Bourbon Spirits
In a fascinating project where small proportions of Mondavi wines are aged in spirits barrels creates a whole new flavour profile for well-known wines.
This Californian Chardonnay has had a small percentage aged in straight Kentucky bourbon barrels then re-introduced to the rest of the wine. The process adds a caramel and oak to the rich, fruity Monterey Chardonnay.
- Roast chicken dinner
- Richer pasta dishes
- Cheese
Vegetarian Choice: Wild mushroom and beetroot rolls
We felt a vegetarian dish for the Spring Season, with National Trust country garden taste notes:
These delicious wild mushroom and beetroot rolls are a simple way to introduce more vegan recipes into your diet. Quick to make and packed with earthy flavours, they’re the perfect healthy snack. With flaky puff pastry, there won’t be a crumb left behind.
A charismatically named selection of Australian wines:
“Giving the unsung heroes of the wine world – the grape growers – a voice”
The Group Wine Co makes wine for the wine grape farmers of South Australia.
The range is superb and each varietal has a group noun as its moniker.
The Quiver Grenache (a quiver is a collection of cobras) is a well-rounded wine with fresh blossom aromas and rich yet vibrant berry flavours and a gentle peppery spice.
Its balanced fresh sweetness and spice lend this wine to richer duck dishes or even Thai food. Think choo chee curry or green papaya salad.
South Australian Shiraz has the hallmarks of a McLaren Vale red. blackberry, plum and chocolate with a lingering oakiness and spice.
There’s plenty of body and oomph to this wine, and it’ll stand up to strong flavours of red meat well. Try a juicy roast lamb like this recipe for slow-cooked lamb shoulder with tahini sauce and a dukkah crust.’
Finally: The Easter Candy Wine Pairing!
From Denise Gardner Winemaking: We found some winners!
“It is always best to pair sweet candy with a wine that is slightly sweeter…a tad less sweet than the Starburst jelly beans I selected for the pairing.”
Cakes and Desserts
Easter wine pairings were plentiful and selecting a few we chose these:
- The traditional Simnel Cake we love, full of nutty caramel tones and marzipan was a must from the Waitrose online recipes
- A version of a citrus cake alternative and Gluten free at Mr and Mrs Romance
- Meringue Kisses in Passover recipes
- Fresh cheese icings: Perfect with the light sweetness and a slight edge; our Sauvignan Blanc, the Angel in the Pack.
“Enjoy the balance of flavours and textures in this moreish cake, from the juicy blackberries to the crunchy pistachios, and not forgetting the delicious creamy frosting.”
Tip: When the wine is less sweet, you’ll notice it seems drier (less sweet) than it actually is. This is especially true after you have a taste of candy followed by a sip of wine. This is typically a wine-pairing no-no, but sometimes it’s more fun to explore new options.
We sampled some dessert wines Pedro Jimenez and Moscato, but found we equally like the Sauvignon Blanc with the fruity flavoured sweets!
Red Fruit and Seed Spices: Jelly Beans!
Denise: ‘Are you a black jelly bean fan? If so, pair black jelly beans with a red Lambrusco…
The red fruit and floral flavours …will contrast well with the strong anise flavour of black jelly beans.’
I’m starting to envision late-harvest or ice-wine as excellent choices!’
Do you have a favourite Easter Wine Pairing with sweets and chocolate?
We looked at The Mail Online for chocolate choices this Easter:
Charlotte Kristensen of You Magazine agreed:
“The key is to choose a wine as sweet as your treat to avoid a bitter clash with dry styles.”
Her choice of a Moscato de Asti was a standard for White chocolate and Caramel blends in Easter wine pairings:
Charlotte: ‘This crisp, gently sparkling low-ABV wine bursts with peach, grape and sherbet nuances: a light, refreshing match for the softness of white chocolate.’
Easter Wine Pairings favourite:
Stewart Hill Wines Choice: Tell us Yours!
Dark Chocolate and low sugar or gluten desserts
We of course prefer our rich red: The Orchida Negra of the range.
The rich fruit and fig tones with cherry nuances and full body give a fulfilling edge to this healthy dark chocolate hit.
