28 Mar 2024
This week we’ll explore a curated selection of wines that perfectly complement the springtime and the festive spirit of Easter. I have tried, tested, and selected my favourite picks from crisp whites to elegant reds, these bottles promise to elevate your gatherings, whether you’re savouring Good Friday fish or indulging in a classic roast lamb feast.
So, let’s raise our glasses and embark on a vinous journey through the joys of spring!
ROCHE LACOUR CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2020, FRANCE
(Laithwaites £15.99/£13.99 Mix 6)
Laithwaites’ best-selling sparkling wine is an absolute standout. Crafted from a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 20% Chenin Blanc, it originates from the cooling hills of Limoux in the South of France.
In this latest vintage, nearly half of the blend undergoes oak fermentation, resulting in a wine that boasts depth and a toasty complexity. The multitude of awards and 5-star reviews speak volumes about its quality.
And there’s more – the wine now comes in a new, lighter-weight bottle at 9% less weight.
Anticipate a creamy texture with abundant fruit notes. The nose unveils ripe tree fruits: apple, green apple, and pear. On the palate, a touch of sweetness harmonizes beautifully with lively acidity. Hints of brioche and subtle nuttiness enhance the overall depth. As you sip this sparkling beauty, consider pairing it with light appetisers, seafood, or even a celebratory Easter brunch.
BORGO THAULERO PECORINO, TERRE DI CHIETI 2022, ITALY
(Laithwaites £13.99/£11.99 Mix 6)
From Italy’s Abruzzo region along the Adriatic coast, this zippy white wine boasts a ripe apricot fruit character.
Crafted by winemaker Rino Santeusanio, who honed his skills across South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina, this delightful gem focuses on cool fermentation to extract juicy, fresh flavours from the local Pecorino grapes.
Pair it with roast chicken, sushi or a creamy risotto for a truly satisfying experience. This wine boasts a bright straw-yellow colour, abundant floral and exotic fruit aromas, and a refreshing, well-balanced palate.
KIR-YIANNI ASSYRTIKO 2022, GREECE
(Laithwaites £16.99/£14.99 Mix 6)
Discover this ‘dazzling white’ – crafted from a grape variety that has surged in popularity – this wine is the brainchild of Stelios, son of the original Kir-Yianni winery founder, Yiannis. Nestled among high-altitude vineyards in the viticultural zone of Agios Panteleimon, Northwestern Greece, the grapes thrive in sandy,
nutrient-poor soils. The microclimate of cold winters and warm summers imparts rich aromas to this delightful white. Assyrtiko, the star of this show, flourishes in Greece’s sun-drenched vineyards and embodies character and elegance.
On the nose, it offers enticing aromas of lemon zest, white peach, and honeysuckle. The palate strikes a harmonious balance between Assyrtiko’s hallmark stony, salty character and more rounded, fruitier traits. The lingering aftertaste leaves you yearning for another sip. Pair it with roasted fish fillet, fried cod, oven-roasted stuffed squid, pasta in sauce, or white cheeses.
MAISON DOMINIQUE PIRON BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES 2022, FRANCE
(Laithwaites £16.99/£14.99 Mix 6)
This juicy, fruit-filled 2022 Beaujolais is a testament to quality winemaking. Crafted from Gamay grapes grown on 50-year-old vines nestled among the superior Villages hillsides, it exudes depth and intensity.
Beaujolais, once overshadowed, is making a triumphant comeback, thanks to exceptional family domaines like Maison Dominique Piron. Founded during the reign of Louis XIII, Maison Piron now spans 95 hectares across Beaujolais’ finest villages, with a third of their vines flourishing in Morgon.
Dominique Piron, the 14th generation custodian, joined forces with longtime friend Julien Revillon. Together, they uphold the heritage, striving to create Beaujolais as fine and luscious as any cru Burgundy. From meticulous vineyard care to cellar artisanry, their efforts culminate in this silky, ripe, fruit-laden Beaujolais-Villages.
With juicy red fruits on the palate, it pairs beautifully with pâtés, soufflés, and chicken dishes.
PURPLE OWL PINOT NOIR 2022, CALIFORNIA
(Laithwaites £16.99/£14.99 Mix 6)
Pinot Noir, a grape with homes in Burgundy and New Zealand, also thrives on the West Coast of the US. Being a fussy grape, it selects its terroir with care.
Beyond its Burgundian homeland, California’s coastal region stands out as one of those rare places where it achieves silky, beautifully perfumed perfection.
This wine embodies the perfect blend of supple, ripe fruit, refreshing vibrancy, and elegant finesse. Like masses of tiny purple brushes, the shaggy purple flowers that adorn central and southern California inspire its name. Pinot enthusiasts adore its silky texture, generous berry flavours, and the subtle oak influence.
It’s a lovely match for Easter lamb and roasted vegetables or alternatively pair it with chicken in red wine, spicy roasted vegetables, feta and couscous, or simply savour it on its own.
ABBOTTS & DELAUNAY ‘LES FRUITS SAUVAGES’ PAYS D’OC, MALBEC 2021
(Majestic Wines £11.99 or £9.99 mix 6)
Produced from 30-year-old, low-yielding vines across carefully selected terroirs in the Languedoc, this Malbec is full of richness, fruitiness, and spice, all wrapped in an elegant embrace.
The secret lies in the artful blend of grapes. Part of the blend ages gracefully in oak barrels for six to nine months, while the rest matures in stainless steel.
The result – a wine that graces the palate with tangy red berry flavours, finesse, and freshness.
Aromas of liquorice and red and black fruits, accompanied by spicy notes, lead to a well-structured profile with fine tannins and impressive length.
And here’s a delightful twist: it pairs beautifully with chocolate—making it the perfect choice for Easter egg celebrations but works equally well with roast lamb, grilled red meats, or a simple plate of assorted cold cuts and cheeses.
