Fizz for Fish and the Toast
Fish is a traditional Easter dish, although commonly reserved for Good Friday rather than Easter Sunday, coming from the practice of abstinence from meat as a form of penance. Nowadays, that’s less the reason and more a good justification to have a fish and chips or delicious salmon fillet!
What to pair with fish this Easter?
Fish and Fizz go hand-in-hand for three main reasons. The high acidity in sparkling wines cuts through the oily nature of the fish, and batter if you’ve cooked it that way. It also cleanses the palate and makes each bite that much fresher. The bubbles help lift the flavours, lighten the texture and refresh the palate as well. And finally, the salt that often accompanies a fish dish enhances the acidity that bit more, creating a brighter, fresher, more vibrant taste and bringing great balance to your meal.
The Best Easter Sparkling Wines From Waitrose Cellar:
Traditional Roast Wine Pairings
Lamb is the most obvious roast cooked at Easter, making itself a centrepiece across the UK and Europe and symbolising the “Lamb of God”. You’ll also find Pork and Beef on many a table.
What to pair with roasts this Easter?
Whilst heavier reds are a good bet with Beef and Lamb thanks to their tannin balance working well with the heavier nature of the meats, Pork tends to benefit from lighter reds to balance the milder meat, and whites, particularly if it’s a fatty cut, to help cut through the fats much like with fish.
The Best Easter Roast Wines From Waitrose Cellar:
- Baron de Ley Gran Reserva Rioja - There will be a few Rioja's opened across the country on Easter Sunday! Mature and hefty with ripe fruit and savoury notes, this is ideal with Lamb.
- Frankland Estate Rocky Gully Shiraz - Red fruit, pepper and spice make this a sublime mix with rich roasts and herby toppings.
- Rustenberg John X Merriman - A Bordeaux style blend from South Africa which is a true icon in the wine world. A natural roast matchmaker.
- Louis Latour White Burgundy - From Burgundy’s best, this Chardonnay is ripe, creamy and smooth giving it enough to stand up against the roasts and pair even better with pork.
- Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett - Rieslings high acidity is made for fatty meats like Pork belly or fish. This one is a little off dry too, making it bring a nice sweet/salty combo to Ham too.
Wine and Poultry Pairings
The main birds you’ll find on the Easter table are Chicken, Duck and Goose, with some more gamey birds on occasion. They are easier to cook and good alternatives for those who prefer lighter meats.
What to pair with poultry dishes this Easter?
Poultry is pretty versatile, but there is a tendency to pair it with creamier white wines and light reds. Chicken is the lightest, with richness rising from duck through to Goose and gamey birds which are stronger flavoured and so demand stronger flavoured wines.
The Best Easter Poultry Wines From Waitrose Cellar:
- Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir - Bannockburn is one of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir regions, with a climate similar to Burgundy. This is ripe, cherried and fruity with oak complexity and richness. Great with chicken and duck.
- Dominique Piron Beaujolais Villages - From 50 year old vines, this is good Bojo with sweet spice, violet and red fruits. Again, perfect with chicken and duck.
- Yalumba Organic Viognier - Aromatic, refreshing and full of stone fruits from a producer who specialises in this grape. A great option for poultry.
- Louis Moreau Chablis - Elegant, subtly oaked and lively with signature Chablis flint. A no brainer.
- Cave de Beblenheim Pinot Gris Reserve - This is beautifully balanced Pinot Gris with minerality and ripe fruit in equal measure. The acidity and texture make this a great wine for duck and goose.
Vegetarian Food Wine Pairings
As it is not traditional, veggies have quite the choice how they treat themselves over Easter. Vegetarian Wellingtons, Mushroom pies, fancy salads or even a nice, hearty pasta, among many more.
What to pair with vegetarian dishes this Easter?
The main thing to consider if flavour intensity: Vegetables can range from delicate (Courgette, peas etc) to powerful (mushroom, aubergine etc) so you need to match the wine with that level. Lighter works well with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, heavier umami dishes with a creamy Chardonnay, Barolo or spicy Syrah.
You also have to think about acidity, the spices you are using, and whether you are roasting, baking or going for fresher veg.
The Best Easter Vegetarian Wine Pairings From Waitrose Cellar:
- Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc - From a real NZ legend, this is exotic and citrusy. Great for fresher and herby veg dishes.
- Domaine du Vieux Vauvert Vouvray - If you’re looking for a cheesy meal or salad, you need acidity. This French Chenin is just that.
- La Val Albariño - Aromatic and food friendly with lime, citrus and stone fruits. Great with creamy and lighter meals.
- Barolo DOCG Terre da Vino - If you’re leaning down the mushroom pie or tomato sauce base route, this Barolo is a juicy companion.
- Paul Blanck Gewurztraminer - If you are going for a spicier dish with harissa, paprika and so on, Gewurztraminer has the perfect aromatic lift to pair with it.