5 perfect Easter wines
Whether you’re enjoying an elaborate brunch with asparagus or sitting down with the whole family in the evening to enjoy a delicious leg of lamb, these 5 wines from Okhuysen will see you through the Easter holidays in style.
2015 Raventós Roig Brut – Cava
J. Raventós Roig
This is the perfect aperitif to kick off a festive Easter brunch. It is made by the Rovira family, known in Spain as one of the best cava producers. The xarel-lo, parellada and macabeo grapes are picked and pressed as early in the morning as possible. Just as with champagne, the bubbles develop during a second fermentation in the bottle, which, after fifteen months of ageing, creates a very fine mousse and elegant perfume. Going all-out this Easter and serving oysters or scallops? This cava is excellent with those too.
2016 Pinot Réserve
Domaine Dirler-Cadé
This golden-yellow biodynamic wine from the Dirler family is a gastronomic gem. It smells of peach, apricot, fresh mandarin and herbs. The flavour is rich, with plenty of fruit and a creamy texture, making it delicious with charcuterie, among other things. It also combines fantastically with many other specialities inextricably linked to Easter, including classic white asparagus with cured ham, an egg, new potatoes and a delicious butter sauce.
2016 Elise – Pays de l’Hérault
Moulin de Gassac
The wines of the Mas de Daumas Gassac estate in the Languedoc are renowned worldwide. Not least because these wines can effortlessly measure up to the greatest Bordeaux wines, at just a fraction of the price. The wines from the ‘project’ Moulin de Gassac, such as this Elise, are particularly well priced. Elise has an exuberant perfume of dark forest fruit and herbs, with notes of ripe, luscious fruit. It is best served with lamb during the Easter holidays, but this wine also pairs well with spicy chicken dishes, stews and entrecôte.
Mas de Daumas Gassac’s Elise is delicious with this recipe for chicken with preserved lemon
2016 Ribolla Gialla – delle Venezie
Tenuta Viscone
We could discuss it at length or keep it brief, but eggs and wine simply aren’t the ultimate combination. So how do you approach this during the Easter holidays? Well, you should serve a white, rounded wine. That means the wine is pleasantly full-bodied and soft in flavour. The Ribolla Gialla from Tenuta Viscone is one example. This wine has a fresh opening and a juicy, full-bodied flavour. As a result, it holds its own beautifully alongside a festive egg dish. Highly recommended!
2016 Banyuls Cuvée Thérèse Reig
Domaine de La Rectorie
A classic with chocolate eggs and red fruit, but also with spicy blue cheeses. In short: your best friend for your favourite desserts. The Parcé family turned Banyuls on its head in the 1980s when they broke with the oxidative style of making banyuls and opted for fruit-driven wines, modelled on vintage port. The result is an incredible port-like wine that will impress at any dinner. And therefore a match made in heaven with dark-chocolate Easter eggs.
