For many Christians, this coming Sunday will mark an end to forty days of denial of things enjoyed the rest of the year-sweets and other special treats, as well as that glass of wine or beer. So, while the little ones are happy with what the Easter Bunny has left them, many of us older people will be happy later in the day-specifically, when everyone sits down to Easter Dinner. Great food complemented by great wine, hopefully with a hint of Spring in the air!
Here are some suggestions to enhance your Easter Table:
Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm is a German wine grower and producer based in Bernkastel-Wehlen, in the wine-growing region of Mosel, Germany. The Prüm family have had a presence in Wehlen for over 400 years. The estate was founded in 1911 by Johann Josef Prüm, after the splitting up of the S.A Prum winery. Today, Katharina Prüm, a lawyer-turned-winemaker and great granddaughter of the estate’s founder, Johann Josef Prüm, has been helming the estate since 2003, producing powerful, elegant, fruity and off-dry Rieslings that also possess amazing longevity and are considered “the benchmark for rieslings globally. The 2016 Joh. Jos. Prum Riesling Kabinett, Graacher Himmelreich, ($29.99), is fantastic wine, rich and supple, with notes of melon and pear and a distinctive tone of honey. The acidity is superb and gives a long, rich finish.
On the drier side, a sure bet to please would be Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016, ($26.99), hand-harvested at several sites in the Wairau Valley, this intense wine is highly scented, very fresh and vibrant. Weighty (13% alc/vol), it has searching, ripe grapefruit/lime flavours, firm acid spine and a dry, lasting finish. Highly concentrated and tightly structured, it’s arguably the best vintage yet.
If it’s bubbles you’re after, there are obviously lots of choices; one Sparkler that’s a consistent favorite is Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, NV, ($27.99). This is THE food sparkling wine-while it can be enjoyed by itself as an apéritif, it is also perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Vegetable or crab quiche, vegetable terrine, Parmesan breadsticks or calamari fritters. And that’s just for starters!
Let’s not forget the red wine lovers, though; as we (hopefully) leave the colder weather behind, Pinot Noir is a great transitional red to serve with ham, turkey or even a roast. One of the most consistently-satisfying Pinots, year in and year out, is La Crema, from California’s Sonoma County. The La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 2015, ($17.99), is a mix of red cherry and strawberry that mellows with time in the glass. Toasted oak and baking spice touches provide additional context and pleasure; savor the food and sip this beauty to welcome Spring!
Happy Easter to you and yours!
Talk To The Wine Guy at jdris8888@gmail.com
