Cheapwinefinder Easter Wine Pairing Basic Guide. This is going to be an entry-level wine pairing guide, no matching the herbs and spices used to the secondary flavors of the wine, just the basics. And this is a pairing for some sort of baked ham, along with side dishes that are not overly spicy or exotic. So, here goes:
- For Red wine, choose a lighter (medium to light-bodied), fruit-forward wine, maybe a Pinot Noir (cherry fruit, bright, crisp acidity and not too heavy to overpower the ham. Or a Gamay from Beaujolais, France (it will remind you of Pinot Noir. There are a couple of importers who bring in easily available, affordable, good quality Beaujolais, they come in several classifications, the ones with “Villages” on the label are a good balance between quality and price.
- The usual suspects of White grapes (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris) will all work. I prefer White wine that leans to the fruit side rather than the citrus side, but they all have the flavor and the acidity to do the job. Pick the wine you like best. Spanish White wine such as Albarino or any number of Italian White wine will work well.
- Rose’ is the best of both worlds, light to medium-bodied, fruit-forward and crisp, and plenty of acidity to cleanse the palate. Which grape or blend of grapes that are used for the Rose’ isn’t that important, along as you enjoy the taste of the wine. And don’t forget Rose’ Sparkling wine, Bubbly isn’t just an apéritif, it’s great before dinner, during dinner, after dinner, any excuse will do.
- Israeli wine. Israel is an up and coming wine country and is producing very good wines. They tend to be boutique type wineries, smaller, family owned affairs so not every wine will be available in every part of the country. But most good wine shops will have at least a small selection of Israeli wines. And when you think of Kosher wines, if your mind flashes to Mogen David, well this ain’t that, Israeli wines are thoroughly modern. And having a wine produced in the Jerusalem Hills region of the Holy Land on your Easter dinner table is an appropriate pairing all by itself.
