WINE CHAT: Quick Tips for Easter

Seems like I just finished my St. Pat's Day beer in a green bottle and Easter is just about here.  I'm afraid I haven't had the time to do the thorough wine research I did to recommend good bottles for say, Thanksgiving.  That said, I've enjoyed wine with enough Easter dinners to offer some simple off-the-cuff advice.

Some of the same challenges that we face with Thanksgiving wine paring also apply on Easter.   With my father leading the charge, my extended family assembles a daunting array of dishes for the feast.  Ham is the main meat dish, but my Dad lately has also been adding chicken to the mix, typically cooked with feta and tomatoes.  Broccolli casserole, delmonico potatoes and my own spinach salad also find a place on the table.  And then there are condiments like spicy mustard and pinapple--what's a wine lover to do with all this?

A light, fruit red is one option.  Save that Burgundy premier crus for a time when its depth can be truly appreciated.  A simple pinot noir can do nicely on Easter. New Zealand has some good options in this department. For instance, I've enjoyed earlier vintages of the Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir, so would say the 2006 Stoneleigh Pinot ($20) would be worth a try.  Moving to the states, the MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir ($14) could be a good option.  Or one I might bring out of the cellar is the 2005 Foris Rogue Valley Pinot ($15) which is lighter than others I've had from this part of Oregon.

As much as I love red wines, Easter ought to be time when celebrate celebrate the onset of spring.  (though the way it feels here in the Boston area I wouldn't be surprised to be shovelling on Sunday).  Thus Easter can be a good time to start ushering more whites into the wine mix.  Chardonnay can be a good choice, provided its not overbearing.  Four Vines Naked Chardonnay and the 2005 Samantha Starr are two that would fit the bill nicely.  The latter would be a particularly good choice with its gentle butter and vanilla taste with a hint of lemon.

But there are some other interesting options out there for a white that evokes the season of things new and fresh.  Pinot blanc is a varietal to consider, with the 2006 Foris Pinot Blanc ($14) from Oregon being one I'd recommend.  If you want to stray off the beaten path (Sardinia qualifies I believe) consider the 2006 Argiolas Costamolino Vermintino ($13).  Vermintino is a white grape common on the island of Sardinia.  I tried this at a recent Italian wine tasting, and thought it could work on Easter with its medium body, refreshing with just a bit of acidity.  In fact, I'm debating between bringing this bottle or the Foris Pinot in our cellar...hmm, might have to bring both!

I'm sure I've only scratched the surface regarding good wines to serve with Easter.  Hey, you might be having lamb, and we'd need to start talking Bordeaux or Cote due Rhone...but we'll save that for another day.  Please chime in with your suggestions and questions!

David Crowley, Gather Food Correspondent

David enjoys sharing good food and wine with family and friends.  David writes about his wine explorations and discoveries in his column, "Wine Chat", a twice-monthly feature of Gather Essentials:  Food.   By day, David is the President and Founder of Social Capital Inc.