Author: Dirk Chan
Easter is this coming weekend, and you’ll want some celebratory wines to accompany turkey & ham dinner or that special meal you’ll be preparing for your loved ones.
We receive many requests for food and wine pairings for this festive weekend so please contact us sooner than later for the best available selection and recommendations. If you have special needs, please let us know and we’ll be glad to help. Enjoy the long weekend everyone.
Our store hours this weekend are:
Good Friday: 12-5pm
Saturday: 11-6pm
Easter Sunday: Closed
In the meantime, those looking for the classic pairings with turkey, ham and all the regular fixings, please see below some of our current favourites:
Start your evening off with a sparkling wine, followed by whites, reds, a dessert wine and perhaps a little meditation course for digestifs or Port.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines are a great way to start any gathering whether its a greeting aperitif or to pair with appetizers. Lively and clean, these will get everyone’s palate ready for what’s to come next:
NV Jaume Serra Castelfino Brut Cava (Penedès, Spain) – $16.99
NV La Jara Brut Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) – $18.99
NV Varichon & Clerc Privilege Rose Dry (Burgundy, France) – $21.99
2019 Huber Gruner Veltliner Blanc de Blancs Brut (Traisental, Austria) – $39.99
Champagne
Now if you serve Champagne, your audience will immediately know you’re here to do some serious partaking and celebrating:
NV Champagne Baron-Fuente Grande Reserve Brut (Champagne, France) – $52.99
2013 Champagne Lancelot Pienne Brut Accord Majeur (Champagne, France) – $74.99
2008 Champagne Gardet Charles Rose de Saignee Brut Premier Cru (Champagne, France) – $109.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (Champagne, France)- $149.99
2004 Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $359.99
Whites & Pinks
Whites with a touch of sweetness is preferred because of the sweetness of some of the fixings – candied yams, cranberry sauce, and honey for the glazed ham. A completely dry white will seem more austere and void of fruit due to the sweetness of the food so I recommend Rieslings (dry or off-dry, both work), Gewurztraminers or other Germanic or Alsace varietals. Having said that, some will always go with a dry creamy Chardonnay or Chenon irregardless and that’s perfectly fine. Also, don’t forget that rosés work really well too!
2019 La Playa Chardonnay Un-Oaked (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $15.99
2018 La Peyriere Cuvee Prestige (Bordeaux, France) – $19.99
2019 Cave de Saumur Chenin Blanc Les Pouches (Loire Valley, France) – $21.99
2017 Dr. Heinz Wagner Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese (Mosel, Germany) – $37.99
2019 Domaine Delaporte Sancerre Chavignol (Loire Valley, France) – $42.99
2019 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay (Walker Bay, South Africa) – $64.99
2017 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett (Mosel, Germany) – $144.99
2020 Agricola Gorgo Bardolino Chiaretto (Veneto, Italy) – $19.99
NV Johannes Zillinger Revolution Pink Solera (Weinviertel, Austria) – $34.99
Reds
For reds, try to avoid the big oaky tannic monsters. Oak and tannins are the enemies when pairing with slightly sweet food, try for a red with lots of up-front fruit, little oak and a soft tannins like a Beaujolais (served slightly chilled) or a Pinot Noir.
2018 Azul y Garanza Fiesta (Navarra, Spain) – $17.99
2018 Novaia Valpolicella Classico (Veneto, Italy) – $21.49
2016 Tommasi Masseria Surani Heracles Primitivo (Campania, Italy) – $24.99
2017 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $28.99
2017 Cantine Barbera Perricone Microcosmo (Sicily, Italy) – $47.99
2015 Château de la Font du Loup (Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France) – $59.99
2014 Louis Jadot Beaune Boucherottes Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $79.99
2011 Cune Imperial Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $92.99
1969 Adega Viuva Gomes Collares Reserva Tinto (Colares, Portugal) – $144.99
2004 Château L’Eglise-Clinet (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $234.99
2005 Château La Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $299.99
Dessert
As for dessert, remember dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert itself:
2019 Gruber Roschitz Beerenauslese Chardonnay (Weinviertel, Austria) – 375mL – $39.99
2016 Château Guiraud (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $59.99
2009 Zsirai Winery Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos (Villany, Hungary) – 500mL – $74.99
2009 Domaine Huet Cuvee Constance (Loire Valley, France) – 375mL – $169.99
Port (Post Dinner)
Port is always good for the final touches of a meal:
Taylor Fladgate NV Historic Limited Edition Reserve Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – $54.99
2008 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $74.99
1977 Messias Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $134.99
1965 Krohn Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $309.99
1957 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $349.99
Happy Easter all!