On Easter Sunday we gather together with family and friends to celebrate rebirth and renewal. Lamb is the traditional choice for the Easter feast. Bordeaux and Rioja would be the time-honoured choices, but a roast of lamb will go well with pretty much any red wine, including your very finest. So don’t be afraid to pull out one of your best wines. Barolo, cabernet sauvignon from Australia or Chile, or a New Zealand pinot noir will all work well, as would the Greek wine below. It is made from the indigenous agiorgitiko grape. Greek wine tends to be expensive so this wine, at less than €20, is a find.
The Château des Léotins is also very keenly priced at €11.99, perfect for a larger gathering.
The Rioja featured below is more expensive but is certainly worth the money. It is the work of a hugely talented husband and wife team. They make some stunning red and white wines that are all about fruit rather than oak flavours.
If you are serving baked ham, salmon, or a vegetable gratin, then a light red or richer white wine would be better. Albariño is one option, but a medium-bodied chardonnay, such as the Chablis below, would be perfect.
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If you can’t resist finishing off with a few Easter eggs, you will need something equally sweet, especially with milk chocolate. A Tawny Port or sweet Madeira would be good, but the best match might be a glass of prosecco.
Château des Léotins 2023, Bordeaux
13%, €11.99 (down from €15.99)
Light- to medium-bodied with mellow plum and blackcurrant fruits, a hint of spice and light tannins. Good value and perfect with roast lamb.
From O’Briens
Anemos 2025, Ktima Palivou, Nemea, Greece
12.5%, €17.99
Very seductive, stylish and smooth light red cherry fruits with a rounded finish. Roast meats, baked ham or firm cheeses would all be a good match.
From JNWine.com, James Nicholson, Crossgar, Co Down
Alegre Valgañon Rioja Tinto 2022
14.5%, €28
Harmonious and rich with lively juicy red fruits, well-integrated tannins and a saline finish. This would be perfect with the traditional Easter feast.
From Redmonds, Dublin 6; Blackrock Cellar, Co Dublin
Chablis La Côte d’Or 2023, Yannick Cadiou
13.5%, €35 (down from €39)
A beautiful complete Chablis with elegance and concentration, rich fruit and fine zesty acidity. Enjoy it with salmon, tuna or oysters.
From Whelehans, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin or Whelehans.ie
