Wine Pairings Ideas For Your Easter Feast

Easter is approaching which means big family gatherings, lots of food and, of course, wine. And just in time for Easter, here’s a guide of the most popular dishes and recommended wine pairings.
Whether you’re serving a traditional Easter feast or putting your own spin on the classics, finding the perfect wine pairing can elevate your dining experience. Here’s a guide to pairing common Easter dishes with a variety of wines, from traditional favorites to more adventurous choices.

Pairing with Ham

What to look for: Go for a light to medium-bodied wine. If opting for red, pick a less tannic wine. For white, pick a wine with subtle acidity, fruit-forward and refreshing. You’ll want to consider the savory, slightly salty flavors of the ham as well as any glazes or seasonings used.

Red Wine

If you want a red wine, a perfect, classic match is Beaujolais. If not, try a Pinot Noir from Oregon or California. For a bolder option, why not pair your ham with a Zinfandel as its fruitiness and peppery spice can stand up to a heavily glazed or smoked ham.

White Wine

You prefer a white wine? Try a slightly sweet Riesling that can complement the saltiness of the ham while balancing it with its acidity. Look for a German Riesling or one from the Alsace region of France. Another aromatic white wine with a touch of sweetness, Gewürztraminer, pairs well with the richness of ham. It offers flavors of lychee, rose petals, and spice.

Pairing with Lamb

What to look for: Easter lamb is a delicious tradition, but its robust flavors require a wine that complements without overpowering. Go for a medium to full-bodied wine.

Red Wine

Regardless of the cut or preparation, you can never go wrong with lamb and red wine. The classic pairing here is Cabernet Sauvignon. Its bold tannins help soften gamier cuts and flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and herbs complement the richness of the meat. It’ll be a perfect wine pairing for your Easter lunch.
Try a Bordeaux or a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Another option but lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon is Syrah (Shiraz). With its peppery and plummy profile, a delightful contrast to the savory notes of lamb without being too heavy. In keeping with classic choices, a medium to full-bodied Merlot can also work well with lamb.

If you are feeling more adventurous, why not try a Malbec or Grenache. These two wines will elevate your Easter lamb and propose a slightly less conventional pairing. And if you want to widened the horizons, turn your sight to Spain with a Rioja (Tempranillo). The flavors of cherry, leather, and spice that can complement the earthiness of lamb, especially if the meat is cooked with Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme.

White Wine

We can all agree, lamb goes best with red. However, if you really abhor the idea of red wine, then go for an oaked Chardonnay. If the lamb is prepared with spices, an option could be a Gewürztraminer.

Pairing with Roast Chicken or Turkey

What to look for: If you are choosing chicken or turkey for your Easter meal, pick a light to medium-bodied wine as heavier wines can overpower the delicate flavors of roasted poultry. Although it is commonly believed that white wine is the best pairing option for poultry, both red and white wines can work beautifully with chicken and turkey. Some rosés might even be a better option if you fancy it.

Red Wine

For reds, remember to opt for a less tannic variety. High tannins can create an unpleasant bitterness alongside the bird. 
Pinot Noir is a classic choice with its lighter body and subtle tannins. The cherry and plum notes beautifully complement the bird’s natural sweetness. Try Pinot Noirs from Oregon’s Willamette Valley for an elegant style. A Gamay (Beaujolais) is also a great option. Its juicy red fruit flavours, such as raspberry and cranberry, and its bright acidity pair well with chicken and turkey. Look for a Beaujolais-Villages for a delightful and affordable option ($15-$25).
Why not try a Grenache (from Rioja in Spain or a Côtes-du-Rhône Villages from France) or an Italian Nebbiolo (Barolo) for less traditional choices. If you want something to pair specifically with turkey, then Zinfandel is a staple pairing.

White Wine

Without surprise, Chardonnay is the classic choice of pairing with poultry. Chardonnay offers a range of styles from crisp and unoaked to rich and creamy. In this case, opt for unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay with a creamy texture that adds richness without overpowering the delicate flavors. Wines from Chablis in France are known for their unoaked, mineral style and pair excellently. 

Sauvignon Blanc is another safe choice as its vibrant acidity, citrusy flavors, and herbaceous notes can be a refreshing match for chicken or turkey dishes. For an unexpected choice, why not try a Riesling from the Mosel Valley in Germany. Go for a dry to off-dry Riesling, the floral and mineral notes complement the spring theme.

More adventurous? Try a Viognier. This aromatic white wine offers flavors of stone fruit, floral notes, and a lush texture that can complement the flavors of roasted or grilled poultry. Look for Viognier from regions like the Northern Rhône Valley (France), Paso Robles (California), or Columbia Valley (Washington State).

Rosé Wine

Rosé with poultry? You would be surprised how well they pair together. Why not try a rosé wine for your Easter meal? A dry rosé with crisp acidity and subtle fruit notes is what you should look for.
A Provence rosé, with its pale pink color, delicate flavors of strawberries and herbs, and crisp acidity, is a classic choice for pairing with chicken or turkey.
Grenache rosé wines offer ripe fruit flavors, hints of spice, and a refreshing finish. This enhances the flavors of poultry dishes. Look for rosé wines from regions like the Southern Rhône Valley (France) or Navarra (Spain).
A Pinot Noir rosé is a versatile choice. Look for rosé wines made from Pinot Noir grapes in regions like the Willamette Valley (Oregon) or Marlborough (New Zealand).

Pairing with Dessert

No feast is complete without a decadent dessert. Whether you are serving the traditional Italian Colomba or a Lemon Tart, here are some wine pairing options for Easter feast that will elevate your desserts.

Sparkling Wine

For sparkling options, go for a Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti.
Prosecco‘s light body and refreshing bubbles can help cut through rich desserts, while its fruit notes complement fruity desserts.

Moscato d’Asti is a crowd-pleaser. Its light body, low alcohol content, and delicate sweetness of Muscat grapes perfectly complement fruity desserts like pies, tarts, and crumbles. The gentle bubbles add a touch of festivity to the occasion. Advantage: this wine is quite affordable and you can easily a great one for less than $20.

White Wine

Feeling something fancier? For a rich and elegant, try a Sauternes. This French dessert wine offer a luxurious experience. Made from grapes affected by noble rot (a beneficial fungus), it boasts intense sweetness, notes of honey, apricot, and saffron. This pairs beautifully with rich desserts like crème brûlée, cheesecake, or fruitcake.

To remain on the sweeter side, a Zibbibo, is an unexpected choice on your table but will surely delight you. Made from dried Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown in Sicily, this is an intensely sweet wine with an aromatic profile that boasts notes of apricot, honey, and orange blossom. It pairs beautifully with rich desserts. I recommend a Passito di Pantelleria with a DOC designation.

Red Wine

And, of course, chocolate desserts deserve a partner. Ruby Port (sweet, red fortified wine from Portugal) offers a perfect match. Think decadent, rich, dark chocolate flavors. If you dessert is nut-based (think pecan pie or walnut coffee cake) but you still want to drink port, try Tawny Port. It offers complex flavors of caramel, toffee, dried fruits, and nuts, with a silky texture and a long, lingering finish.

Are you serving a dessert with a hint of spice? Think berry cobblers, spice cakes, or desserts featuring cinnamon and cloves. A Late Harvest Zinfandel would pair wonderfully. It offers flavors of ripe berries, jammy fruits, and baking spices, with a velvety texture and a long, sweet finish. Perfect for you apple pie.