When it comes to Easter meal prep, seasoning the lamb and roasting the asparagus are only half of the equation. To set a table that guests will rave over, don’t forget to pick up a complementary wine to integrate into the dinner spread, too.
In the world of holiday wines, the keyword is “complementary.” Don’t expect your favorite Friday night bottle to go with your Easter dinner spread. Deputy buyer Tristen Gild, of Kingston Wine Company, shares top holiday picks and offers advice on what to pair with them.
Budget Picks
2016 Estezargues “Les Grandes Vignes” Cotes du Rhone Rose, $9.99
According to Gild, this dark, dry rose is ideal for before or after a meal. Born on the organic cooperatives of southern France, the pinkish wine blends Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah to deliver a crisp finish with pleasant berry notes.
2015 Puro Cotes du Lot Malbec, $11.99
Another French selection, this full-bodied dry red channels “grippy blueberry and plum flavors,” Gild reveals. Pair it with hearty lamb or beef dishes for a dreamy main course.
Middle of the Road
2016 Bellwether Finger Lakes Riesling “S,” $20.99
If you are on the prowl for a New York wine, this Finger Lakes white with notes of green apples and limes is the way to go. Bellweather uses low intervention techniques to highlight the nuances of the terroir. Serve it to the family member who loves dessert wines but still wants something to sip on before the final course.
2016 Clause Preisinger “Puszta Libre,” $19.99
Anyone who loves a classic red will swoon over this medium-bodied dry Austrian blend. It is comparable to Pinot Noir, with cherry notes and a savory smokiness, Gild notes. Unlike most reds, this tastes best with a mild chill.
Easter Indulgence
2016 Mas Coutelou Mourvedre, $33.99
Gild calls this certified organic wine an “earthy, natty, and primal dry red from the south of France.” It is ideal for anyone who values quality over quantity, since it is free of added sulfites and grown on a biodynamic estate.
2015 Schloss Gobelsburg “Renner” Gruner Veltliner, $43.99
A true dinner party drink, this dry white from Austria has notes of lentils and green herbs. Thanks to its earthy undertones, it is perfect to pair with springtime flavors. As Gild summarizes, it “could go with lamb, salads, chicken, or absolutely nothing else at all.”
Kingston Wine Co.
65 Broadway, Kingston
845.340.9463
