For most of us, this Easter Sunday our menus and gatherings will stray from tradition. For many food and wine enthusiasts, I have a feeling, the care and attention to food and wine choices will not change, even if you reflect and celebrate with only the family members living in your house versus our traditional large get-togethers. Because many of us are minimizing our shopping (including wines) to either delivery or minimal trips I wanted to focus on the wines that are plentiful and easy to find.
Rack of Lamb
Cabernet sauvignon is the ideal pairing for this as a main course meat whether it's grilled or roasted. Lamb's strong flavor stands up to the higher tannin, full body of most cabernet sauvignon.
THE VALUES
2018 Cupcake Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $11 retail)
2018 Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $13 retail)
2017 Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $13 retail)
2017 Estancia Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $14 retail)
2017 Grayson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $13 retail)
THE SPLURGES
2017 Bell Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $43 retail)
2018 Decoy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $26 retail)
2018 Benziger Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $18 retail)
2018 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $19 retail)
2017 Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $21 retail)
Glazed Ham
Glazed hams have a distinct and sweet and savory flavor. Pinot noir's lower tannins and higher acidity than most reds make it ideal for the sweet components of the glaze.
THE VALUES
2018 Angeline Pinot Noir, California (about $12 retail)
2018 19 Crimes Pinot Noir, Australia (about $11 retail)
2018 667 Noble Vines Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, California (about $13 retail)
2018 Aime Boucher Pinot Noir, France (about $14 retail)
2017 Clos Du Bois North Coast Pinot Noir, California (about $12 retail)
THE SPLURGES
2018 Boen 3 County Pinot Noir, California (about $31 retail)
2018 Anne Amie Winemaker's Reserve Pinot Noir, Oregon (about $24 retail)
2017 Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon (about $23 retail)
2017 Cambria Benchbreak Pinot Noir, California (about $28 retail)
2017 Meiomi Pinot Noir, California (about $26 retail)
2018 Black Stallion Pinot Noir, California (about $22 retail)
Roast Chicken
The wonderful aspect of pairing wine with chicken is you can choose a red or white. Lighter style red wines such as gamay are ideal. For whites, one of my favorites is the toasty balance of a crisp, refreshing chardonnay.
THE VALUES
2018 Clos du Bois Chardonnay, California (about $13 retail)
2017 A By Acacia Unoaked Chardonnay, California (about $12 retail)
2018 Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay, California (about $15 retail)
2018 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay, California (about $12 retail)
2018 Leese-Fitch California Chardonnay, California (about $11 retail)
THE SPLURGES
2018 Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, California (about $29 retail)
2018 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay, California (about $23 retail)
2018 Franciscan Napa Chardonnay, California (about $16 retail)
2017 Gerard Bertrand Chardonnay, France (about $19 retail)
2017 Presqu'ile Santa Barbara Chardonnay, California (about $19 retail)
Lorri Hambuchen is a member of London's Institute of Wines and Spirits. Contact her at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203, or email:
uncorked@thewinecenter.com
Food on 04/08/2020