Wine For Easter?

Easy As Pie!

I recently finished reading a description of a special food and wine dinner that was prepared by master chefs and sommeliers. Undoubtedly, these people were quite knowledgeable and gave quite a bit of thought to what should be served. However, the descriptions of flavors in the dishes and the wines that best complemented these dishes were incredibly detailed and specific.

As much as I enjoy wine and food, even I could not finish reading the story without smiling at how carried away we can get when trying to find a wine to match with a certain meal. With the Easter holiday approaching, there are many tasty wines available that will elegantly grace your table as well as match most turkeys and hams.

If you prefer white wine, there are a large number of full-bodied Chardonnays that are available. I have recently tasted Coppola Chardonnay and Rosemount Show Reserve Chardonnay. Both of these wines are loaded with fruit, butter, and oak flavors. They sell in the $15 to $20 price range, and their flavors will come through with most light meats. Many of the California Chardonnays are made in this style and are widely available in the marketplace.

Light- to medium-bodied red wines would also be a nice complement to your Easter dinner. Syrah is a wine that is becoming more and more popular. This wine is known in Australia as Shiraz. The wines exhibit nice berry fruit and complement a meal rather than overpowering it. Tasty Syrahs are available in prices from around $8 and up. One of my particular favorites is the Toasted Head Syrah from R.H. Phillips Winery.

Finally, Roses have become the forgotten wines of the wine world. I am talking about dry wines that more closely resemble a very light red wine. I am not talking about the sweet wines that are very popular. If you are looking for something a little different this Easter, consult with your friendly neighborhood wine merchant about a nice, dry Rose.

     (As a side note, also be advised that there are delicious, dry wines now available that are Kosher for Passover. Kosher wines are no longer only Manischewitz Concord Grape.)

(Steve Small is a Newtown resident and wine enthusiast.)