Although Easter is celebrated (or not) by many, many people in a variety of ways, one fact remains – that there will be a lot of people gathering together with family and friends on Easter Sunday to share a meal. It’s also certain to be a special meal, too – much like Thanksgiving, only warmer outside. Oh, wait, maybe not this year, ha! But, you get the idea.
Below I’ve compiled a small list of foolproof wine pairings for your Easter dinner table. Well, it’s not really a list, and is by no means complete, but I hope that you’ll bookmark this blog entry and come back to it after Easter! We all would like to hear what you paired with what, what worked, and perhaps what didn’t work!
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SO, here we go with my personal picks!
Rah, Rah – Riesling!! One of the most food friendly wines out there, and no longer just a darling of Germany! California turns out some really nice offerings under $20, so feel free to experiment. The acidity and general floral & pear aromas and tastes of a good off-dry Riesling make this a foolproof choice for an Easter ham dinner, especially if you’re going to spike it with pineapple (the ham, not the wine, lol).
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Serving turkey this Easter? Hey, it’s not unheard of – marry it with a Pinot Noir. The fruit & pepper balance and generally mild tannins in this wine enable it to work great with lean meats like turkey. Prefer white? Turkey goes both ways! Excellent choice would be that same Riesling or a Gewürztraminer. Don’t let that name scare you – this fruity, spicy wine makes a fab holiday bird pairing.
Are you cooking like my Dad is for Easter and serving a big ol’ beef roast? Mmmm…mashed potatoes, gravy, sautéed carrots…and a nice Malbec! Malbec is one of the signature grapes of Argentina, a country also known for its beef production. Malbec and beef just naturally go together! It’s those tannins in the red wine (that dry-ish mouth feel you get) that make it work so well with fatty foods. The fat mellows the tannins, bringing out the fruit in the wine.
And remember, when in doubt, serve sparkling wine. It goes with pretty much everything!
Everyone have a Blessed Easter, and on Monday – let’s meet back here and talk wine! Cheers!
