Perfect match – great reds for your Easter feast
Feasting and good wine is an important part of Easter celebrations. When matching with the popular Easter dish of roast lamb, choose structured reds with good acidity, which can cope with the saturated fat which makes our lamb dishes so tasty – or match with roast aubergine vegetarian dishes.
Navarra, Spain: Vina Zorzal Garnacha 2020
Good value
Superb value garnacha from Zorzal bodegas in Corrella village. Rich red berry fruit, soft rounded herby, balancing acidity – a fresh vibrant drinkable red with or without food. £7.25, The Wine Society
Szekszard, Hungary: Takler Kekfrankos Reserve 2017
Better known as blaufrankisch, the dark-skinned kekfrankos grape (its Hungarian name) is showing good potential in Szekszard, a hilly region south of Budapest. Perfect with lamb with firm structure, sour cherry fruits, savoury undertones and mouthwatering acidity.
£18.50, Woodwinters
Stellenbosch, South Africa: Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Star buy
Superbly refined example of Stellenbosch cabernet made from 90 per cent cabernet sauvignon, with 10 per cent petit verdot adding a touch of spice. Generously weighty blackcurrant flavours and smooth soft texture, typical of Thelema’s style. £19, The Wine Society
Tuscany, Italy: Il Ghizzano Rosso 2018 Tenuta Di Ghizzano
Lovers of sustainably-produced sangiovese should note this biodynamic ancient wine estate near Pisa. With just 5 per cent dash of merlot, this is delightfully juicy and plummy with sour cherry notes, chalky tannins and fresh vibrant acidity; could be served chilled. £17, Woodwinters
Rhone, France: St Joseph Rouge 2017 Jean Claude Marsanne
This is a great example of St Joseph from Mauves village from a producer with the magic combination of very old vines, gentle old oak and an authentic traditional style. Cassis, violets, smoky undertones with spicy vibrant palate.
£27.99, Raeburn Fine Wines
Mendoza, Argentina: Argento Single Vineyard Altamira Organic Malbec 2019 Good value
Single vineyard malbec from Finca Altamira, located at 1,100m altitude in Mendoza’s dramatic Uco valley. Rich dense red fruits, spicy, minerally, soft tannins and a rich smooth mouthfeel – good value for lovers of big ripe forward-fruit reds.
£13.99, All About Wine; Vinvm; Bibendum
Naoussa, N Greece: Thymiopoulos Xinomavro ‘Alta’ Naoussa 2019
A mellow example of the xinomavro grape sourced from high altitude vines in Fytia in Naoussa region, gently tempered with 8 months in French oak vats. Tannins are present, as they always are with thickskinned xinomavro, but this has such appealingly lush savoury notes.
£16, The Wine Society
Batroun, N Lebanon: Ixsir Grande Reserve 2014
Another superb vintage from a new
Lebanese winery. A soft lush plummy textured blend of syrah/cabernet sauvignon from vines grown at 1800m on the slopes of Mount Lebanon, the highest plantings in the northern hemisphere.
£26, Fine Wine Musselburgh
Burgundy, France: Gaminot Rouge 2017 Domaine Ami
Unusual blend of four grapes: mainly gamay with pinot noir, aligote and chardonnay. Willy Roulendes and Paul Perarnau co-ferment gamay and aligote and then blend in the others. Clean pure fruit with concentration and length; an ‘open-minded Bourgogne’.
£22.50, Raeburn Fine Wines
Puglia, Italy: Cantina Diomede Nero Di Troia Canace 2018 Star buy
Favourite wine at our recent Puglia tasting from Puglia’s indigenous nero di troia. 2018 was a warm vintage with rich succulent black fruits and decadently smooth silky mouthfeel. £22.50, Valvona & Crolla; Luvians
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: Trinity Hill Tempranillo 2019
Winemaker Warren Gibson reckons 2019 was one of the best vintages for this fascinating tempranillo/cabernet sauvignon blend from the famous Gimblett Gravels region. Loved its blackberry fruits, rich texture, softness and vanilla finish.
£21.50, Fine Wine Musselburgh
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