Easter is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious food? Whether you're planning on cooking up a storm with roast lamb, gammon, or fish, or indulging in a slice of traditional simnel cake for afters, we’ve got wines to complement every dish. Let’s waste no more time in levelling up that feast.
The Best Wine For BEEF
Red Bordeaux - Château Terre Blanque Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2020
If you're looking for the perfect wine to pair with a juicy steak or hearty beef dish, look towards Bordeaux Reds, such as this Terre Blanque Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux. This 2020 vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, creating a wine with rich flavours and a bold structure that can stand up to the intensity of beef. The wine's backbone of black cherry, blackcurrant, and spice complement the savoury depth of the beef, while the tannins cut through the richness of the meat, leaving your palate refreshed and ready to dive back into your slap-up Easter feast. Nom!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £12.75 (usually more!)
Malbec - Bodega Luigi Bosca Malbec 2020
If you're a fan of bold and full-bodied wines alongside your dish, then a Malbec like Bodega Luigi Bosca Malbec 2020 is a must-try! With its deep ruby colour and aromas of blackberries, plum, and subtle vanilla, it’s the perfect ambassador for Argentinian Malbec. The tannins in the wine are firm but not overpowering, enough to soften any fat whilst providing a smooth and velvety mouthfeel that complements the rich beef flavours. We’d pair this with leaner meats though because the richness runs the risk of overwhelming a much fattier cut.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.7%
Find here: £14.30
The Best Wine For ROAST LAMB
Rioja - Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva
A gorgeous dinner-party Rioja like this will work so well in tandem with Roast Lamb. This wine is aged for at least two years in oak barrels, giving it enough rich complexity to complement the robust flavours of roast lamb. Behind that intense red are notes of black cherries, vanilla, and spice, so this wine provides a perfect balance to the bold and almost sweet profile of the meat. The tannins are silky and smooth, and the wine has a long, lingering finish that really elevates every mouthful. Oh, and it also happens to go well with dark chocolate puddings if you’re bringing that out at the end!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £12 (usually more!)
The Best Wine For GAMMON
Tavel - 2021 Rosé La Dame Rousse Domaine de la Mordorée
Tavel wines are dry Rosé, giving darker profiles than regular Rosé without going as far as reds. This Southern Rhône expression is 60% Grenache, giving a hint of spice to harmoniously handle any in the glaze. The full-bodied juicy raspberry and red currant notes go great with any chutney or fruit sauce but retain enough acidity to cut through the saltiness of gammon.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £23.50
Provencal Rosé - Diamarine Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé 2020
If you're looking for something lighter paired with gammon or steak, then a Provence Rose like this is an excellent choice. Not only is the beautiful pale pink colour an aesthetically pleasing match for such a dish, but its tangy acidity also refreshes your palate after the salty gammon. The dry and elegant finish complements the richness of the gammon, leaving you with a clean aftertaste that makes for very easy drinking. A dream combination!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10.25
The Best Wine For Roast Chicken
Chardonnay - Vondeling Wines Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2019
If you're looking for the perfect wine to pair with your Easter roast chicken, look no further than a delicious Chardonnay such as this from Vondeling. Oak barrel-aged, the rich and buttery flavour emphasises those same flavours in the chicken to mouth-watering effect. There are plenty of citrus and tropical fruit notes too, cutting through the richness. Also, if you’re serving any kind of creamy sauce, the liquid’s smooth and creamy finish melds with the chicken delightfully. If you’re into Chardonnay, then this punches well above its price point so you’ve got to try it.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.7%
Find here: £14.79
The Best Wine For Fish Dishes
Cava – Codorníu Ars Collecta Grand Rosé
For fish, the fizz and crisp acidity of Cava is pure harmony. With its aromatic berried bouquet and freshness, this blend reinforces the flavour and intensity of fish dishes whilst the acidity slices through the oil. It’s versatile too and will sit comfortably beside a simple grilled salmon or a heartier seafood feast.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £17.99
The Best Wine For Chocolate Easter Eggs
Passimento Rosso - Pasqua 'PassioneSentimento' Passimento Rosso 2020
It wouldn’t be Easter without Easter Eggs now, would it? The chocolate and booze pairing is one of the most popular in the world, so we’ve got a whole article on it here! You’ll find plenty of tasty options there, but this is one of the best. This wine uses Merlot grapes picked at peak ripeness which are left to dry in specially-made crates to concentrate sugar and flavour. This ‘appassimento’ style creates a velvet wine with plush and intense dark fruits that’s a sumptuous marriage with chocolate. Indulgent, just as Easter feasting should be!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £11.99 (£9.99 Mix Six)
The Best Wine For Simnel cake
Sauternes - Corney & Barrow Sauternes 2018
Simnel cake is a traditional Easter fruitcake, made with almond or marzipan paste and dried fruits. A sweet Sauternes like this with its luxurious golden colour and a rich aroma of apricot, honey, and exotic spices is dreamy served alongside. Bright acidity balances out intense sweetness and cuts through the richness of the cake, creating a combination that is indulgent for sure, but well-balanced. Notes of quince, lemon, apricot and honey only add depth to the fruitcake flavour and elevate the dessert.
Size: 375ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £14.95
The Best Wine For Hot Cross Buns
Tokaji - Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2017/18
Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! This Hungarian wine goes brilliantly with them. The sweetness is derived from giving the grapes loads of time to ripen and fill with sugar. Royal Tokaji’s sweetness is honeyed and delicate – think stone fruits, exotic fruits and blossom... perfect for sweet tarts and buns like this. A match made in heaven.
Size: 500ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £12.99 (£10.99 Mix Six)
For more harmonious chocolate pairings with other drinks, go here!