Wines for Easter Dinner

Filed in archive Holiday Wine on February 28, 2008

Easter is less than a month away and it's not too soon to be planning your holiday dinner. Unfortunately, many traditional foods for Easter dinner are challenging ones to pair with wine. To help you, we've created a list below of our choices for Easter dinner wines. I also like to start with a sparkling wine, to serve with appetizers like shrimp while guests are arriving.

Baked Ham - The saltiness of cured ham and the sweetness of traditional fruit glazes make Easter ham a difficult dish to match with wine. I suggest a dry Riesling, such as one from Alsace, or a dry rosé, such as a Bandol from Provence.

Roast Lamb - Match a roast rack of lamb with its traditional partner, a lush Bordeaux. If that's beyond your Easter budget (or if your family and friends wouldn't know a good wine from a boxed wine), try a Pinot Noir, such as one from Oregon State.

A Vegetarian Easter Meal - Vegetarian holiday meals are gaining in popularity and the fresh bounty of spring makes this option even more appealing. Pair your fresh asparagus, potatoes, and snap peas with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. I especially like the citrus flavors found in wines from New Zealand's Marlborough Valley.

Those Chocolate Bunnies - What's Easter without a couple chocolate bunnies. The difference from childhood? You get to eat yours with a glass of Great Lakes Ice wine or a soft tawney Port.