Easter Suggestions & a March Wineology Recap!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Here at the store to finish out the month we did a tasting of wines from Wente Family Estates that was really fun. We were connected by Zoom to Aly and Niki Wente, who talked to us about what goes into all aspects of making the wines as we tried through six of them. (More about the wines below.)

March isn't exactly going out like a lamb, but it looks like we may see the sun this weekend, which would be nice for Easter celebrations. It's last-minute, but I have some pairing recommendations if you're still not sure what to serve. 

Easter dinner typically features ham or lamb (or both), and an assortment of sides. Go for wines that aren't going to overwhelm meats' distinctive flavors. With ham which is salty even with a sweet glaze, you can't go wrong with a nice dry Rose, a fruity yet snappy white, or a light-bodied red that could even be served chilled. Recommendations?

For the rose, Les Caves Du Commandeur Ame du Vin Cotes de Provence from France is a traditional Grenache/Cinsault blend that is crisp and bright with those hints of red fruit that make a rose so yummy. The color is a perfect light pink.

For the white, with ham, check out the Romeo Sauvignon Blanc. This Spanish white was tasted in a wine class on March 20 and was a big hit. Not only is it bright and clean on the palate and through the finish, but it has nice body and, most delightfully, a note of zesty lime that we likened to a lime Life Saver, but in a good way.

A wine that can pair beautifully with ham and lamb is a light-bodied, somewhat fruity red. Think Pinot Noir, which checks all those boxes. One of my favorites is the Acrobat Pinot Noir from Oregon. It has beguiling notes of cherry and plum that don't overwhelm and a juicy but delicate finish.