What a difference a few sunny weeks can make. Winter comfort food and heavier wines already seem a distant memory, while stretching invitingly ahead are Easter treats, lighter spring dishes and fresher-flavoured wines.
You may even be tempted to dust off the barbecue if the weather holds, even if you do retreat inside again to eat.
Whatever your Easter plans, you’ll probably also be heading out to the supermarket to pick up some wine. But faced with a bewildering choice, which are the best bottles around right now?
You may also have noticed that wine prices have risen, thanks to exchange rates and duty hikes, so it’s important to make savvy choices.
As an expert wine writer and broadcaster, I’ve tried almost everything on offer – and I’ve discovered some delightful wines and dug up some great bargains to share with you in this exclusive series.
If you’re planning to serve chicken, fish or veg-based dishes, you’ll find crisp whites are a particularly good match, thanks to their refreshing acidity and little to no oak.
Look out for grassy Sauvignon Blanc blends, naturally lighter Vinho Verde and salty, citrusy Albarinos – you’ll see my pick of the best, opposite.
Gutsy pinks also make a versatile choice. They’re obviously lighter than wintery reds such as Malbec but still have more fruit and body than paler, drier Provencal pinks.
As an expert wine writer and broadcaster, I’ve tried almost everything on offer – and I’ve discovered some delightful wines and dug up some great bargains to share with you in this exclusive series, writes HELENA NICKLIN
Look for darker styles from Languedoc, Spain and Portugal – these will go with a range of dishes from ham to smoked salmon and roasted veg (see overleaf).
If you’re planning to serve lamb or beef, or contemplating barbecuing some steak, then you’ll be looking for a red. Aim for styles with plenty of fruit such as Montepulciano or lighter reds you can chill.
When it comes to bubbles, slightly sweeter, or off-dry, ‘demi-sec’ fizzes are making a comeback – these have a touch more fruit ripeness than drier styles and make a top pairing with salty food such as cheese and sweet treats such as berry tarts.
When choosing what to sip with sugary foods, opt for a drink as sweet, or sweeter, than the food, otherwise the wine will taste bitter. That’s why sweeter demi-sec bubbles work with meringues, puddings and even simnel cake, whereas drier styles can taste metallic.
If you want wine to enjoy with your chocolate egg, be guided by the variety you opt for. For instance, while sweeter, creamier white chocolate goes well with a frothy Moscato, you may need a fortified red such as port to go with dark chocolate.
Planning a larger gathering? Check out boxed wines. Don’t laugh, there’s some serious ‘Château Cardbordeaux’ on the market and many of them look so stylish you’d be happy to have them on your dinner table. They’re also slightly cheaper to buy per 75cl than several bottles, as well as being more environmentally friendly.
Whatever your budget or taste, you’re bound to find a bottle or two to bring some extra cheer. Happy Easter!
REFRESHING WINE TO PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP
Crisp white wines make a refreshing choice for spring sipping. Try Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo, with their grassy, candied lime profiles or light and spritzy Portuguese Vinho Verde. Those after body will love the Spanish Albariño grape and tropical, peachy whites made with Viognier. New World Chenin Blanc is also popular thanks to its dry freshness, and there’s a perkiness to Sicily’s apricot-scented blends. Here are some of my top suggestions.
Freeman’s Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
£7.39, Aldi
When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, few places give you as much punchy flavour as Marlborough, New Zealand. Despite the low price, this feels like a real step up in quality with its concentrated notes of nettle, grass and wet stone. Great for goat’s cheese and asparagus.
Azul Marinho Alvarinho
£8.42, Asda
Wonderfully quirky- looking, this is made with the Portuguese version of the grape, which offers a slightly lighter, more spritzy style of wine than its Spanish neighbours in Galicia. Think zesty, lemon cream and a smidgen of crushed seashell. Cracking with fresh, creamy cheeses.
Les Jamelles Viognier
£9, Co-op
Viognier is a grape that virtually smells of sunshine with its white blossom, fresh peach and apricot. They can be heavy, but this version is elegant and aromatic. A real crowd-pleaser, drink it alone as an aperitif. It will also lift a creamy Camembert or young Comté beautifully.
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Blush Marlborough
£8.75, Iceland
There’s still a nip in the air and we might not be quite ready to reach for the pale, poolside rosé, but this vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon with a splash of berry-scented Pinot Noir is fresh and flavoursome and really hits the spot. Wonderful with chicken or any fish dish.
Vinca Organic Sicilian White
£9, Tesco
This peachy little Sicilian number comes in a chic, aluminium bottle, which also preserves its floral aromatics and fresh fruit flavours beautifully. It’ll cool down super quickly, too – perfect for the ice bucket if the fine weather holds and you opt for a bank holiday barbecue.
Tesco Finest Viñas Del Rey Albariño
£12, Tesco
Albariño is a great all-rounder white wine grape that works well in spring and early summer weather, and with seasonal food, thanks to its weighty, candied citrus peel body combined with a refreshing slick of salinity. This Tesco version is a classic and it can take slightly stronger, richer flavours such as roast chicken with gravy, as well as meat which is mildly spiced.
Mimo Moutinho Sparkling Vinho Verde
£6.99, Aldi
This crisp and citrusy bubbly with its orange blossom notes (and a rather beautiful bottle) is crying out to be sipped with sardines, grilled fish and salty halloumi. And at such a good price, you can stock up for your summer parties, too. It’s lighter in alcohol, too, at 11 per cent ABV.
Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve, South Africa
£7.50, Sainsbury’s
A nicely balanced wine with a zippy, refreshing acidity tempered by fleshy notes of conference pear and honeydew melon. It’s a spring morning in a glass! A great aperitif wine that can easily stand alone.
ASDA Extra Special Rueda
£6.42, Asda
The Spanish region of Rueda makes minerally, lemon and lime-scented whites from the Verdejo grape and this one offers cracking value for money. You can drink it chilled as an aperitif, but it will also pair beautifully with goat’s cheese or smoked salmon. It’s a good salad wine, too.
Tesco Finest Chenin Blanc Torrontés by Zuccardi
£9, Tesco
If it’s a punchy perfume and light body you’re after, this Argentinian blend is it. Smelling sweet but tasting dry, it’s a style that’s hard to ignore. The Torrontés brings a full-on, sugared lemon bon bon aroma and the Chenin adds body that keeps it all grounded. A winner with lightly spiced Asian food.
MID-STRENGTH TREND PACKS A BIG TASTE PUNCH!
Antipodean wine producers have recently become excited about producing naturally mid-strength wines, which are typically between 6 and 9.5 per cent ABV.
Now the trend is gathering momentum among wine lovers who enjoy their drink but also want to moderate the alcohol content.
These are different from other lower-alcohol wines, which are usually made higher-strength then have the alcohol stripped out and replaced with sugar to rebalance the taste.
Mid-strength wines tend to be made by picking grapes earlier so there’s less sugar to convert into alcohol. The result is a wine that is naturally lighter in body, alcohol and calories.
Aromatic white grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling do particularly well at a lower ABV as they stay fresh and aromatic even when picked earlier, unlike other varieties that make wines feel flat. We’re seeing good pinks popping up, too.
Look out for these mid-strength wines on supermarket websites…
Brancott Estate Flight Sauvignon Blanc, 9% ABV
£8.75, Sainsbury’s
One of the original mid-wines on the market, this is very light and zesty but manages to keep its grassy and tropical profile. A great choice for a lunchtime salad with feta.
McGuigan Mid Rosé, 7% ABV
£7.25, Morrisons
This pretty pink feels fuller-bodied than many other wines and has very pleasant, ripe strawberry and fruit salad notes.
A great foodie pink that goes well with Easter ham and smoked salmon. Drink well-chilled.
Casillero del Diablo Belight Sauvignon Blanc, 8.5% ABV
£7.25, Tesco
This much-loved Chilean producer has done well to create such a crisp and delicate, balanced wine with moreish, smoky grapefruit flavours at such a low ABV. Great with ashy goat’s cheese and biscuits.
Forrest Wines ‘The Doctors’ Riesling, Marlborough, 9% ABV
£10.50 (£10 mix six), Majestic
Zingingly high acidity with notes of lime blossom and green apple. Great alone or as a pairing with a leafy green salad or white fish.
Sainsbury’s Mid Strength Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 9.5% ABV
£8.75, Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has created its own range of mid-strength wines. This tangy, lean Sauvignon is made in a classic Marlborough style, packing a grassy, lemony punch. A winner with barbecued, grilled, slightly salty fish.
Grove Manor Crisp White, 5% ABV
£2.99, Aldi
A corking little Aldi number – not only does it have a very low alcohol content and a pleasingly low price, but what’s in the glass tastes pretty good, too. Crisp and dry with some pleasant floral and citrus notes. It’s a good one for gatherings and wine cocktails.
5 WINES THAT ARE PERFECT WITH CHOCOLATE
Easter is synonymous with chocolate for many of us – but what should you sip while you are tucking into your egg? Here are some suggestions to try, whatever the variety of chocolate you opt for . . .
White Chocolate: Asti Spumante
This super-sweet, low-alcohol frothy Italian fizz comes into its own when well chilled and paired with white chocolate. The ripe, sugary fruitiness of the wine is a good match for the creamy sweetness of the confectionery. The combination is a creamy, apricot sensation.
Try: Martini Asti Italian Sparkling Wine, £6.77, Aldi
Milk: Madeira
The high levels of dairy and sugar in milk chocolate will strip out any fruitiness in normal dry wines such as Chardonnay or Cabernet, making them taste metallic. A fortified wine such as Madeira, however, has viscosity and weightiness, as much sweetness as the chocolate and higher acidity to cleanse the palate. Madeira’s nutty orange peel notes make this a winning combination of flavours.
Try: Henriques & Henriques Full Rich Madeira, £12.25, Waitrose
Orange: Tokaji
Orange chocolate, whether milk, white or dark, will go perfectly with a sweet and tangy orange citrusy white such as Tokaji. Think concentrated spiced honey and marmalade notes – absolutely delicious!
Try: Royal Tokaji Late Harvest, £13 (£12 mix six), Majestic
Dark: Amarone
You can just about get away with a dry red wine if the chocolate is dark enough (think 70 per cent plus). A brooding Amarone with rich, morello cherry and cocoa powder notes makes a fine pairing.
Try: Duca Dei Veli Amarone Della Valpolicella, £14.99, Aldi
All-rounder: Fortified red
If you’re in doubt and chocolate’s about, find a fortified red wine – it covers all bases. Ruby Port or Maury works a dream but this fabulous, fortified Malbec is a magnificent, splash-out option.
Try: Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec, £22, Ocado
PICK THE PERFECT WINE FOR ANY FEAST
LAMB
Mucho Mas Rosé
£8.75, Morrisons
This gutsy, Spanish pink comes from the same stable as much loved red wine, The Guv’nor. With its fresh, juicy notes of ripe strawberry, spice and liquorice, it certainly gives you great bang for your buck.
Zalze Fairtrade Shiraz Grenache Cabernet Franc
£8.35, Co-op
South African Zalze makes polished blends, and this silky red balances rich, peppery Syrah with berry-scented Grenache and crunchy, earthy Cab Franc. Gorgeous.
Cune Rioja Reserva 2019
£14.50 (£14 mix six), Majestic
A name to look for if you like fruit-forward styles of Rioja. This is all about intense bramble fruit with vanilla spice – perfect for roast lamb with garlic.
Gordon Ramsay Intenso Rosso
£8.75, Tesco
For a red that’s on the lighter side, this tangy and refreshing Italian rosso with its subtle herbaceous notes will sing with Easter lamb – especially if it has a herb crust.
M&S Chez Michel Fitou
£8.50, M&S
Fitou in southern France is a great area to find well-priced, flavoursome reds that pair beautifully with protein. Full-bodied and aromatic with notes of violet and grilled meat. Delicious.
EASTER HAM
Côte Mas Rosorange Rosé
£10, Waitrose
This new release has a great label and is a funky blend of rosé and skin contact ‘orange’ wine. It’s full-bodied, creamy and fruity with notes of white pear. Ideal for salty ham.
Taste the Difference Barbera d’Asti
£8 (was £9.50), Sainsbury’s
A dainty red grape that hails from Italy’s Piedmont. Perfumed red wines such as this won’t overwhelm ham with tannin or alcohol.
Ca Del Lago Rosato
£6.99, Lidl (in store)
This textured, saline pink looks like a much more expensive brand. With its crisp acidity and subtle strawberry notes, it’s the refreshing choice for a slice or two of ham.
Taste The Difference Beaujolais Supérieur
£10.50 (was £12), Sainsbury’s
If your ham is glazed, it can take body – so with its raspberry flavours and soft tannins, this is just the thing.
M&S Copper Mountain Pinot Noir
£9, M&S/Ocado
Another lighter red to try if your ham is glazed is Pinot Noir. Expect rich, morello cherry spice with a sprinkle of cocoa powder from this Californian version.
FISH
La P’tite Pierre White
£7.25, Tesco
Welcome to your new house white! This juicy, French blend covers so many bases with different types of fish thanks to its subtle hint of tropical fruit and a splash of zesty citrus.
Nectar & Nature IGP Méditerranée Rosé
£7.25, Morrisons
Crisper than a Californian and zestier than a Provençal, this aromatic pink has a hint of freshly cut melon and strawberry. Perfect for grilled white fish or tuna.
Marqués de los Zancos Rioja Blanco
£6.25, Tesco
Seriously good for the price. A fuller-bodied, viscous white with notes of candied lime, citrus peel and subtle oak. It can take stronger flavours and loves smoke.
M&S Cerro Fuerte Malbec Rosé
£9.50, M&S
Love Malbec but cooking fish? This fruity rosé brings all the raspberry and blueberry juiciness without the heaviness. The perfect foil to salty sardines or mackerel.
Moillard-Thomas Chablis 2022/23
£17 (£15 mix six), Majestic
As temperatures climb, many Chablis have lost crispness. Not so with this chalky number with its subtle leaf notes and squeeze of citrus. Great for creamy fish pie.
CHICKEN
Luis Felipe Edwards Roussanne Marsanne
£11, Tesco
Roast chicken loves a full-bodied white, so this Chilean one with its peachy, white chocolate waxiness and twist of lime pairs well.
Deluxe New Zealand Pinot Gris, Gisborne
£7.99, Lidl (in store)
Pinot Gris is the weightier, more aromatic version of Pinot Grigio. From New Zealand, it brings a fleshiness and peach-like quality. Perfect for roast or creamy chicken.
Cimarosa Australian Chardonnay
£4.79, Lidl (in store)
Oaked, New World Chardonnay such as this is my default style for roast chicken. This packs a lot of punch for the low price. Great when you need a few bottles!
M&S Côtes du Rhône Blanc
£8, M&S
For something different, this elegant Rhône blend will be a real crowd-pleaser with your chicken thanks to its touch of fresh white peach, acacia and almond cream.
M&S Altamar Leyda Sauvignon Blanc
£8.50, M&S
Sauvignon fans should look to the cool, concentrated wines of Chile’s Leyda Valley such as this saline, zesty, grapefruit style to go with barbecued chicken dishes.
BEEF
Toro Loco Superior
£5.29, Aldi
Aldi’s stalwart, foodie Spanish red is much loved for its versatility, thanks to its winning combination of fresh black fruit with just enough structure. Great for family feasts or relaxed barbies.
Vergelegen Cabernet Merlot Fairtrade
£10, Co-op
The iconic South African producer has done a top job with this accessible version of its fine wine. A classic Bordeaux blend with a dollop of ripe fruit and whiff of smoke.
Pasqua ‘Desire, Lush & Zin’ Primitivo 2023
£12.50 (£10 mix six), Majestic
Pasqua is the Italian word for Easter, so it’s perfect timing for this rich and figgy, chocolate-dipped and raisin-scented red. Lush.
Vina Crianza Pomal Rioja
£14, Ocado
A slightly heavier style of Rioja, this is packed full of wild strawberry, vanilla and leather notes. A plate of beef will soften it up and release those tangy flavours.
Definition by Majestic Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
£21 (£20 mix six), Majestic
Fans of classic, cedary Claret will love this classy drop. Think cassis with a splash of tobacco leaf and a cool, mineral core. Worth trading up for.
VEGGIE
La Fioritura Chiaretto Bardolino
£8, M&S
Vegetables go well with a savoury and mineral style and this northern Italian pink is an exceptional example. It looks as good as it tastes, too, so is ideal for gifting.
Terra Organica Sauvignon Blanc
£9.40, Ocado
With its grassy profile and citrus peel zestiness, Sauvignon is a perfect go-to grape for anything with green vegetables – and this organic Chilean seriously over-delivers for the price.
Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier
£10 (£9 mix six), Majestic
If your dish contains bitter leaves, this fruity, aromatic white will help balance it all with its ripe peach and apricot notes.
Les Nivières, Saumur
£11, Waitrose
When red wine is preferred, a lighter style can work wonders with veg. This classic Loire Cabernet Franc is leafy and refreshing with tangy cranberry. Can be slightly chilled.
Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner
£13, Tesco
Some vegetables – such as asparagus and artichoke – can strip wines of fruit. Enter ‘Grü V’, the most versatile food wine! Dry, stony and lean, it’s packed with green apple and a kick of ginger.
WHERE TO BAG THE BEST BARGAINS THIS EASTER
There are decent discounts and great value bottles if you know where to look. I’ve put them to the taste test and here are my picks of the best deals, whatever your budget, as well as some wines that simply offer unbeatable value for money.
FIZZ
Prosecco Spumante
£4.69 (was £6.69), Aldi
Spumante means ‘fully sparkling’ as opposed to the ‘frizzante’, which loses its fizz faster. This is great for the price. Sweet, pear-scented and frothy.
Crémant de Bourgogne Sparkling White
£9.98 (was £11.98), Asda
Crémant wines from Burgundy (Bourgogne) such as this make excellent Champagne alternatives. This is complex and creamy with hint of baked pear.
Graham Beck Chardonnay Pinot Noir Vintner’s Selection Brut NV
£10.98 (was £13.48), Asda
Made with the two main Champagne grapes and in the same traditional method, this is an excellent South African sparkler. Like Champers, but with more fruit.
Splash out
Waitrose Blanc de Noirs
£20.99 (25 per cent off six bottles offer, was £27.99), Waitrose
Waitrose Champagnes have always been excellent and this blanc de noirs, with its biscuity, red apple skin notes always over-delivers. It’s well worth making use of the promotion!
REDS
Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva
£10 (was £13.75), Co-op
Rioja ‘Reserva’ must be aged for at least three years before its release, which adds layers of tobacco leaf and vanilla spice flavours. With the added discount, this is a bargain.
Specially Selected Cairanne
£4.99 (was £8.99), Aldi
This rich, bold and weighty French red has seen this brilliant discount before. Exceptional value even at the full price, this is packed with spiced berry and fruit cake notes.
Specially Selected Châteauneuf-du-Pape
£9.99 (was £19.99), Aldi
Here’s a pretty hefty discount on a genuinely good wine. It’s a classic Châteauneuf with its full body and notes of dried figs and baking spice. A good time to stock up on a couple of bottles.
Splash out
Wynns The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon
£12.50 (was £16), Tesco
If you’re fan of brooding, leafy blackcurrant flavours and want a red that packs a powerful punch, this is classic Coonawarra Cabernet that will over-deliver for the price! It makes for a great gift, too.
WHITES
Makaraka New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
£4.99 (was £8.99), Aldi
Fans of Kiwi Sauvignon will be very happy with this excellent offer. A classic, grassy style with lots of lemon zestiness. A great one for larger gatherings.
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc
£8.50 (was £10.50), Co-op
Producer Yealands sets a benchmark with this. It is everything you’d want from a grassy, sea breeze-scented Sauvignon.
Bird in Hand Two in the Bush Chardonnay
£11.50 (Clubcard price, was £15), Tesco
The kind of trade-up Chardonnay that shows how well it can do in Australia. A real fine wine, it’s all about sliced melon, white peach and a sprinkle of spice.
Splash out
Pouilly Fuissé
£14.99 (was £19.99), Aldi
This little white Burgundy is quite a serious wine. It’s made with 100 per cent Chardonnay in a savoury style with some nutty oak and is worth trading up for. The discount helps.
PINKS
Portuguese Rosé
£5.15, Morrisons
Fans of Mateus who are feeling the pinch would do well to stock up on this perky, spritzy, Portuguese pink. Seriously fruity, if a little simple, for a fiver, it’s excellent value. The bottle is rather different, too.
Torre de Ferro Rosé Wine Dao DOC
£4.99, Lidl
Another great Portuguese bargain, this is complex and savoury with pretty rose petal and wild strawberry notes. Incredible value.
Pasqua ’11 Minutes’ Rosé, Veneto
£14 (mix six price, was £16), Majestic
This silky, strawberry-scented pink with its saline tang is great value in comparison to wine from other regions.
Splash out
G de Galoupet
£16.88 (buy six offer, was £22.50), Ocado
If it’s fine, organic, sustainably made pink you’re after, grab this. It’s understatedly complex and elegant and looks stunning. A perfect gift for your Easter host.
BOXES STYLISH ENOUGH FOR YOUR DINNER TABLE
Gone are the days when boxed wine was banished to the kitchen. Thanks to improved technology whereby the wine stays fresher for longer, upmarket producers are increasingly turning to boxes – and very stylish they are too. Boxes take less energy to produce, are easy to recycle and cheaper to make – a discount that can then be passed on to the customer. Ones to try:
Laylo Sauvignon Blanc, 2.25L
£38, Ocado
Wine boxes don’t get much prettier. Offers a refreshing lemon cream zing. A winner with a goat’s cheese or salad.
La Vieille Ferme Rosé 1.5L
£14.97, Asda
What’s not to like with this well-loved pink that always brings a sense of fun and fruit-salad freshness to the table? Goes well with ham, salmon or chicken.
When in Rome Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2.25L
£24 (was £29), Ocado
While this may not look as posh as some, it’s eco-friendly and there’s an authentic Italian inside. This red’s herby and damson flavours make it perfect for pizza or roast lamb.
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 1.5L
£20, Waitrose
Spiced plum and bramble fruit all baked in a pie. Perfect if it’s barbecue weather.
Torres Viña Sol 1.5L
£13.25, Tesco
Its creamy, peachy body combined with a delicate, seashell freshness makes it an ideal aperitif.
ADD A SEMI-SWEET SPARKLE TO YOUR PUD
These once-overlooked slightly sweet fizzy wines – such as Moscato and demi-sec – make the perfect match for puddings. Here are our picks:
Sainsbury’s Demi-Sec Champagne, NV
£23, Sainsbury’s
A perennial favourite, this is what to serve if you want a posh glass of something to go with summer pudding or delicate Easter meringue nests. It’s also a winner with wedding cake.
Jaume Serra Cava Bouquet Semi Seco
£6.50, Morrisons
Semi seco is Spain’s demi-sec and here’s another fantastic, slightly sweeter style of Cava that really looks the part as well. It will take you through puddings, cheeses and salty nibbles. It would make a great gift, too.
Nyetimber ‘Cuvée Chérie’ Demi-Sec, Sussex
£40 (£39 mix six), Majestic
Made by arguably the UK’s most prestigious wine producer, this tastes more ‘off dry’, where the sweetness translates just as fruity ripeness with notes of white peach and lightly spiced brioche. A splash-out option perfect for celebrations.
Lucotto Moscato Spumante Rosé
£5.98, Asda
Moscato tends to have a lower alcohol level than other styles of sweet fizz (around 5 per cent ABV) and is much sweeter, and cheaper, as a result. This means its grapey, apricot-like flavours can go well with more intense puds such as lemon posset or rich cakes with creamy toppings such as chocolate ganache.
Sainsbury’s Cava Medium Dry
£6.75, Sainsbury’s
With wonderful flavours of tinned peaches and pineapple, this fizz comes across as very fruity. It will pair beautifully with anything salty or grilled on the barbecue, and balance up any sweet meat glazes, too. Cheap and very cheerful.
