Easter is right around the corner, you have so much left to do to prepare for dinner, and so little time to figure out which types of wine your family would like to drink. Don’t worry, I have already pre-selected both reds and whites for the occasion! Take a look at the list below and find which wine(s) is right for you. All bottles are available for purchase at:
Chili Liquor, 3218 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624
First up is Dr. Konstantin Frank’s 2017 Semi-Dry Riesling. This 100% Riesling wine is sourced 90% from Seneca Lake and 10% from Keuka Lake. It is unoaked (fermented in stainless steel barrels vs oak barrels), with 2.2% residual sugar. The nose of this Semi-Dry Riesling is clean and delicate. Citrus, pineapple and nectarine flavors with a touch of pear and mineral are noted on the palate. The cool and balanced 2017 vintage gives it a brighter acidity and a slightly less sweeter style. This wine pairs well with spicy and aromatic ingredients like pepper, ginger, curry, sesame, and soy. It also compliments barbeque, wings, and pork dishes. Available for $12.99/750ml bottle.
A quick 75 minute drive away from Dr. Frank’s Winery is Thirsty Owl Wine Company. Their 2016 Dry Riesling has a pineapple aroma with guava, lemon, and hints of slate. This leads to a palate full of pineapple, lemon, peach, and a touch of honey. Thirsty Owl Dry Riesling has a medium-long and refreshing finish. Dry Rieslings pair well with fried or baked fish, simple seafood dishes, cream sauces, butter sauces, sautéed mushrooms, roasted chicken, grilled pork chops, and Charcuterie. Available for $11.99/750ml bottle.
Next in line is Garnet’s 2016 Pinot Noir from Monterey County, California. The winemaker notes “The Garnet fulfills the promise that the perfect growing season made. The aroma of this wine shows amazing depth as it opens up with blackberry and macerated cherry notes followed up by layers of clove, vanilla and perhaps a little duck fat. An earthy smokiness is offset nicely by the richness of fruit on the palate and juicy mouthfeel. Undertones of toasted oak add to the richness of the long and delicious finish.” This is an outstanding wine for Easter and pairs well with beef, veal, game, and poultry. 100% Pinot Noir. Available for $11.99/750ml bottle.
2016 vintage Sostener Pinot Noir is next up, originating in the Santa Lucia Highlands also in Monterey, California. Meaning “to sustain” in Spanish, the name Sostener not only evokes the local heritage of the Salinas Valley, but also symbolizes a dedication to sustainable viticulture and wine-making. The company maintains a low carbon footprint by producing the wine within 20 miles of the vineyard and even includes a renewable cork closure for its wines! This wine is 100% Pinot Noir and the grapes are grown from vines over 45 years old. Sostener Pinot Noir is deep, dark, and overt with notes of strawberries, plums, and spice. Its balance allows for pairings with many foods including but not limited to salmon, tuna, chicken, duck, beef, barbecue, and mushrooms. Available for $14.99/750ml bottle.
Let me now take you abroad to Mendoza, Argentina. An UCO Valley Malbec, Tinto Negro 2015 Vintage is perfect for your Holiday dinner. “Tintonegro” meaning “black wine” in Spanish is meant to celebrate the essence of Malbec in Mendoza. Known for its dark, blackish color, this Malbec is definitely a Tintonegro! Aged for 7 months in French Oak barrels with a 13.8% alcohol content yet soft tannins, this wine is a perfect pair with lean steak, lamb, and pork dishes. James Suckling rated this vintage 89 points and said it had “Very floral aromas with rose petal, lilac and some dark fruits. Full to medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish.” This 100% Malbec was also rated by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate at 87 points and it was noted that “The unoaked 2015 Uco Valley Malbec is sourced mostly from Tunuyan (Los Arboles and Chacayes) and San Carlos in the Uco Valley. Fruit driven and fresh, this is a Malbec to drink without thinking too much. There is some herbal freshness, and the tannins are almost unnoticeable. Quite attractive.” Also with an 87 point rating, Wine Spectator stated it was “A fleshy red, with well-defined flavors of red berry and crushed plum. White pepper notes show on the finish.” This Malbec speaks for itself! Available for $12.99/750ml bottle.
Lastly, an Italian classic red blend – Bolla Torr’Alta Veronese Rosso 2012 vintage. Priced at only $14.99/750ml bottle, this Corvina, Rondinella, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend from Veneto pairs well with pasta, grilled and roasted meats, game, and cheeses. This wine is deep ruby in color, and has an alcohol content of 14%. On the nose raspberry and currant aromas are present, as well as hints of vanilla. Bolla Torr’Alta Veronese is smooth and balanced on the palate with velvety tannins. Torr’Alta means “highest tower” in Italian. It is a tribute to the tall towers that painted the Veronese skyline in the Middle Ages, which were the residences of wealthy, noble families. Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter)!
Enjoy your Easter dinner with any (or all) of these delicious wines!
The Wine Spill 