Wonderful wines for Easter

Baron Amarillo Rueda Verdejo

€8.99, Aldi

It’s not that my love affair with sauvignon blanc is over, it’s just that we’re taking a break for a bit. And I’m cheating on it with Verdejo. This vibrant wine from the Rueda region of Spain has all the citrus flavours that we love in a sauvignon with pops of grapefruit and lime with fresh acidity. But it has a bit more oomph with a well-rounded and persistent palate with notes of almonds and fennel. This Baron Amarillo Verdejo from Aldi is great value, allowing you to explore the variety without breaking the bank. Try it with the pan roasted halibut on page 6 and thank us later.

Deluxe Australian Chardonnay Limestone Coast

€8.99, Lidl

They say don’t judge a book by its cover or a wine by its label. But, in this case, I couldn’t help it. The blue ocean on this label reminds me of Oz adventures. One sip and I was right back there. This wine is very typical of Australian chardonnay – lots of tropical notes of melon, peach and mango nuanced by a hint of nuts, some minerality and even a bit of butter. It’s got good body and perfect to pour with roast chicken. But I’m giving the Maryland crab cakes on page 4 a go, and this chardonnay will be chilling as soon as I put on my apron.

Chablis Famille Brocard

€24.99, on special at €19.99 until 29 April,

Simply Better at Dunnes Stores

If scallops are on the menu, nine times out of ten my husband will order them. So he has put in a request for the seared scallops with maple gastrique (Janine’s fancy word for syrup) with bacon crumble on page 5, and I’ll be serving it with this Chablis. The organic grapes are grown in the Kimmeridgian soil of France and in the Burgundy sun, they develop and contribute to a crisp wine with citrus, fresh peach and pear shining through. You’ll also get floral notes and a hint of minerality, which will pair beautifully with the sweet, briny flavour of the scallops and the salty bacon.

Cara Organic Rosé

€20.95, on special at €15.71 from 22 April, O’Briens Wine

Unless you live by the sea, oysters are mostly enjoyed in restaurants. But in the last few years, I’m seeing a lot more at fish counters and in supermarkets. So I’ve been practicing my shucking skills, and this Cara Organic Rosé from Château De Caraguilhes in the Languedoc region is a great pairing. A blend of grenache blanc, noir and gris grapes, it is quite a delicate wine, and very fresh. Floral notes lead the nose followed by a pop of citrus grapefruit, a little peach and those characteristic strawberry and tangy redcurrant flavours. A gush of minerality will work well with Irish oysters, or let the flavours shine on their own and serve as an apéritif.

Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV

€69, O’Briens Wine, Molloys and Brown Thomas

One of things I enjoy about Easter is that it’s a family celebration but with a more relaxed feel than Christmas. Once we hear the word celebration, we think of Champagne. And we’re opting for a classic, the Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV which is a blend of that iconic trio of grapes – pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. Up front, white fruit flavours of pear, peach and apple have a vibrant intensity. And then those toasty brioche notes are expressed beautifully within a steady bead of bubbles. Enjoy as an apéritif or pair with a selection of canapés to start your Easter feast.

M&S Classics Malbec

€10, M&S

The Classics wine range in M&S is pocket friendly and reliable, which is important if you’re having a party. So whether it’s a family gathering around the Easter table or you’re looking forward to barbecues in the sun, this Malbec will hit the spot. It has all those classic Malbec flavours, juicy and smooth with jammy fruit like blackberry, blueberry and plum with a hint of mint and good spice on the finish. It isn’t overly complex but it is certainly a crowd pleaser and will work great with burgers, steak and lamb. On a lazy Friday evening, crack it open and enjoy with a crispy pepperoni pizza.

El Holgazán Ribera del Duero

€22.95, O’Briens Wine

If you’re upping the budget for Easter Sunday, here is a wine worth the extra few euros. El Holgazán is from the Ribera del Duero region in Spain. This Tempranillo takes the lead with plenty of fruit flavours such as strawberries, redcurrants, blackberries and figs, elevated by a touch of chocolate and liquorice. Medium bodied, the tannins are soft, contributing to a silky-smooth finish. As well as lamb, this wine would be ideal with a rib eye steak or some venison. Interestingly, El Holgazán means ‘the slacker’ in Spanish and the winemakers hail it as the perfect wine for lazy moments. Sounds ideal for a relaxed Easter weekend.

Appassimento St Giorgia

€13.99, on special at €11 until 29 April,

Simply Better at Dunnes Stores

When it comes to the iconic lamb at Easter Sunday dinner, most people will serve it with a beautiful, bold red. Lets head to Italy and the Puglia region, known for its deep, rich, velvety wines. This Appassimento St Giorgia is well balanced with fruity flavours of red berry, plums and cherry coming out to play, complemented by delicate, herbaceous notes and a teasing taste of chocolate. Luscious and incredibly smooth, it has soft tannins and a gentle finish. If you’re planning on serving a cheese board later in the day, this wine will carry you through and will work especially well with a slice of Cashel Blue.

Tesco Finest Provence Rosé

€12, Tesco

The sun is out, and rosé season is here…not that we needed an excuse. So we’re heading to Provence in France, the region that has really put rosé on the map in recent years. Grapes spend the year basking in the Mediterranean sun and this rosé from Tesco ticks all the boxes. The pale pink hue draws you in and its fruity notes of redcurrant, strawberry and stone fruit are very easy (too easy!) to enjoy. While this is a wine to sip on its own with friends, it has a nice spicy, tangy finish making it food friendly and ideal with a charcuterie board or some goat’s cheese smeared on crackers.