Sip in Style: 10 Easter Wines to Elevate Your Celebration
As spring arrives, bringing with it the cheerful songs of birds and vibrant bloom of flowers, our tastes begin to shift along with the season. Lighter, fruit-forward reds and crisp, refreshing whites are gradually taking centre stage in our wine selections. With the Easter holiday approaching, it’s the perfect time to embrace these lively and flavourful wines to pair alongside the long weekend meals shared with friends and family.
Below are ten top wines with food pairings that will be sure to impress your guests!
13th Street Blanc de Blanc VQA 2020, $29.95
This is a traditional method sparkling wine that's made with 100% Chardonnay from Niagara and spends 9 months on its lees. Upon first sip, jazzy bubbles dance over the tongue bringing vibrant notes of green apple, lime and delicate brioche flavours. Brisk, with a showy minerality that takes centre stage, flaunting quality on an extra long finish.
Pair it with: light seafood canapés, or Easter brunch.
Garzón Reserva Albariño 2024, $23.95
This is an outstanding Albarino from Uruguay that undergoes a 3-6 month fine lees aging time in both stainless steel and concrete. Upon the nose, a welcoming introduction of white blossoms and pear aromas. A leesy textural sensation on the palate side-by-side with invigorating acidity and juicy notes of lime and mandarin. Stonefruit and minerality ring through a long finish.
Pair it with: Ham or rich fish dishes.
Croft Twist Elderflower, Lemon & Mint, $12.95
This "slightly sparkly and fabulously fresh" low-alc bottle is great on ice with a mint, basil, or cucumber garnish. I love the light, balanced flavouring of the elderflower, lemon and mint, and how this bottle is deliciously crafted with Croft Fino and Palomino white wine.
Pair it with: finger sandwiches, or veggies and dip.
Leaning Post Gamay 2021, $22.20
There’s so much to love about Ontario Gamay! Typically light to medium-bodied, bright, fresh, and always a lovely balance of fruit and earthy/mineral notes. It’s the perfect style to enjoy as our palates change as warmer weather approaches.
This is an unfiltered, 100% Gamay from the Four Mile Creek sub-appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and sees 7 months in neutral French oak. Fresh, ripe raspberries and red cherry aromas introduce a palate that is light and feels somewhat ethereal. Dried flower petals are etched down a line of cranberry and raspberry, with a waterfall of bright, refreshing acids. Subtle earth and beet notes balance nicely with the intense red fruit that leads a persistent finish. A wonderful Ontario Gamay!
Pair it with: turkey and roasted root vegetables.
Deinhard Green Label Riesling, $14.00
This vegan Riesling from the Mosel, Germany rings true to its regional style. Medium-weight, with juicy flavours of pineapple, yellow apple, and ripe orange. There’s a slight sweetness that’s almost completely masked by the wine’s vibrancy and zesty characteristics. Adding depth, a delectable mineral texture comes in on the finish.
Pair it with: Honeyed ham, or samosas.
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2021, $18.95
Aromas of fresh fig, wildberries and grape licorice will ease you in to this bold, full-bodied, shiraz from Coonawarra. Dark fruit folds through soft, pillowy tannins wrapping up with some clove notes on the finish.
Pair it with: Bison burgers or steak.
Louis Latour Bourgogne Chardonnay, $26.00
This is a medium-bodied, unoaked Chardonnay from 30 year old vines. Louis Latour is a regional staple that has been crafting wines in Bourgogne since 1797, and its’ rich history is reflected in every bottle. A creamy, gorgeous mouthfeel that borders on savoury and reveals notes of buttercream, peach, pastry and baked apple on the nose and palate that continue in length. An easy wine to love!
Pair it with: Turkey and gravy, or chicken dishes.
Vilarnau Barcelona Reserva Brut Organic Cava, $16.95
Cava is a traditional method sparkling wine from Spain. I love this style because it typically offers exceptional quality for the price.
This is an organic and vegan Cava with a composition of 50% Macabeo, 35% Parellada, and 15% Xarel.lo. The grapes are harvested from a high-elevation vineyard in the d’Espiells region of Spain that is surrounded by the Serrelada and Montserrat mountains. Notes of pear, freshly baked bread, and golden delicious apples harmonize on a refreshing, all-encompassing mouthfeel. Delicate bubbles usher in a fruity and slightly mineral finish.
Pair it with: Apple or lemon meringue pie, or a cheese board.
The Grange Estate Series Rose 2023, $24.00
This dry rosé is made with 80% Gamay, with additions of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir that comes from the estate’s Victoria Block in Prince Edward County, Ontario. It offers bright red berry and watermelon aromas that lead to a refreshingly zesty palate that boasts pink grapefruit, cherry and a classic County minerality. This is a wine that goes perfectly with good friends and good weather.
Pair it with: Garden salad, or strawberry shortcake.
Family Tree ‘The Boxer’s Ghost’ Pinot Noir, $18.95
This is a certified sustainable wine by the Speck Bros Family Tree series that sees six months of oak treatment prior to bottling. Attractive fruit forward aromas with red berries, bay leaf and a hint of jasmine. The palate is approachable with soft, barely-there tannins that support ripe raspberries, red cherry, black tea and rosemary and thyme nuances.
Pair it with: An herbed, stuffed turkey and cranberry sauce, or pizza.