Many of us will be gathering with family and friends for Easter and Passover meals this weekend. Which wines and spirits should you serve with fish, lamb and those irresistible chocolate bunnies?
Here to help us than drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.
Welcome, Natalie.
Great to be here with you! As a determined hedonist, I like something a little more than orange juice for Easter brunch—unless, of course, it’s a mimosa. The wines that work best for spring holidays are zesty and lighter than those we drink in the winter—they’ll put some spring in your glass and in your step!
Sounds great! Many people observe Good Friday with a fish dish. What’s the perfect wine pairing for seafood?
Red wines often clash with fish because of the high iron content in the wine. This breaks down the fat in fish and creates a taste that’s metallic.
That’s why zippy, unoaked white wines like the Ecker Grüner Veltliner from Austria are great matches for seafood, including bagels with cream cheese and lox.
Ecker-Eckhof Von Eckhof Grüner Veltliner
Niederösterreich, Austria
This is a delightful organic wine, offering a dry, medium-bodied profile that’s fragrant with summer-kissed white florals and fresh orchard fruits.
I’d pair it with a spring tide sea bass prepared with a delicate crust of fresh herbs, lemon zest and breadcrumbs, then baked until the fish is pearly white and flakes at the touch of a fork, served with pencil-thin asparagus drizzled with lemon-infused olive oil. The herbal notes in the wine create a beautiful harmony with the spring vegetables while the bright acidity cuts through the richness of the fish.
What do you have for those who love rosé?
Absolutely! Try this lovely Westcott Delphine Rosé from Niagara.
Westcott Vineyards Delphine Rosé
Niagara, Ontario
This Rosé offers delicate aromas of wild strawberries and red currants with a silky texture and bright acidity. You get the flavour of red wine without the heavy oak, tannin or alcohol.
I’d pair this with a harvest brunch casserole featuring layers of herb-roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, smoky bacon, and farm-fresh eggs baked until golden and bubbly, finished with a sprinkling of chives. The bright fruit in the wine complements the savory elements while the gentle tannins provide just enough structure to stand up to the richness.
For those serving lamb at their Easter celebration, what would be your go-to wine recommendation?
Lamb pairs beautifully with a full-bodied red wine like this organic MontGras Carmenere/Cabernet from Chile, brand new in the LCBO.
MontGras Carmenere/Cabernet Organic
Colchagua Valley, Chile
It has rich notes of blackberry, plum, and mocha. So it’s better for the planet and your palate.
Chile’s natural geography gives them an advantage in organic farming – the Andes Mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other create natural barriers against vineyard pests!
I’d pair this with an herb-crusted rack of lamb that’s been slow-roasted until pink in the center, then finished with a rosemary-infused red wine reduction, served alongside roasted root vegetables caramelized to sweet perfection. The wine’s structure stands up beautifully to the richness of the lamb.
And finally, what about all those chocolate bunnies and eggs that will be tempting us? Is there something special we can sip with our Easter treats?
Absolutely! For chocolate indulgence, I suggest moving from wine to whisky with this Beaver’s Dram Sherry Wood Finish Premium Whisky from Dunrobin Distilleries in Perth, Ontario.
Beaver’s Dram Sherry Wood Premium Whisky
Vankleek Hill, Ontario
This artisanal Canadian whisky presents complex aromas of maple sugar, vanilla, toasted oak, and baking spices with a smooth, warming finish that lingers pleasantly.
Bringing together two of Canada’s cutest critters—beavers and bunnies—now that’s upleveling Easter!
Hummingbird Chocolate, from Almonte, Ontario, was founded by husband-and-wife team Erica and Drew Gilmour. They spent much of their careers working in international development with farmers in countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
They wanted to continue to support these farmers when they moved back to Almonte, so they founded Hummingbird Chocolate, made from cacao sourced directly from farmers at better than Fair Trade prices, grown sustainably, and farmed ethically and humanely. They’ve won over 125 international chocolate awards for their products.
I’d pair this whisky with a midnight bunny feast featuring rich, velvety dark chocolate rabbits with ears that snap satisfyingly when bitten, revealing an interior that melts slowly on the tongue with notes of red berries and toasted nuts, the slight bitterness of the cocoa creating perfect harmony with the whisky’s sweetness. The whisky’s caramel notes complement the chocolate while its spicy character provides a beautiful counterpoint.
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
May our cups and hearts overflow with gratitude for the friends and family gathered around our table this weekend.
Thank you, Natalie! Where can we find you and these wines and spirits online?
On Instagram, you can find me posting wine reviews and tips at:
Online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Posted with the permission of CTV.
