on the grapevine

SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... WONDERFUL WINES TO TOAST YOUR SPRING FEAST

IF YOU’RE planning to make the most of this veritable feast and the Easter table is chock-full of goodies, the secret is not to put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.

Having a variety of wines to match the myriad of mouth-watering flavours adds to the sense of occasion and ensures every dish is well complemented.

1

ELEGANT FROG VIOGNIER 2018 AOP Languedoc, France (£8, Sainsbury’s) VIOGNIER is becoming increasingly fashionable, and this rich white has seductive aromas of peach, apricots and sweet blossom, with concentrated flavours of peach and honeysuckle enhanced by light oak, which gives a satisfying weight to the wine, yet freshness weaves throughout. A star match with anything in a creamy sauce, or rich shellfish such as seared scallops, crab or lobster.

2

SAINSBURY’S TTD CREMANT DE LOIRE

France (currently reduced to £9 from £11.50, Sainsbury’s)

IF you want to kick the weekend off with a stylish food-friendly fizz, this

Loire Valley perennial from one of the best producers in the region is perfect with shellfish, with its clean, fresh citrus fruits accented by light, floral scents. Best of all, it’s also available in magnum (1.5 litres) if you’re hosting family and friends.

3

CLIMBING SHIRAZ 2016 ORANGE New South Wales, Australia (£9.99, Waitrose) SOFT, smooth and fruitforward, this sun-kissed shiraz has all the juicy, plummy goodness you could hope for, with moreish, spicy, chocolately undertones framing generous layers of dark cherry and blackberry fruits. A joy to drink with glazed ham or duck with a rich, fruity sauce, it also makes a striking match with a slice of chocolate cake.

4

LUSTAU EAST INDIA SOLERA RICH

OLOROSO Spain (£11.29, Waitrose) SERVE this deep mahogany beauty lightly chilled, to savour its tantalising medley of figs, sultanas, raisins and prunes. Lusciously sweet, it’s a blend of an aged dry Oloroso and aged sweet Pedro Ximenez, made from sun-dried grapes. Yummy, and a dream ticket with simnel cake and milk chocolate eggs.