Easter and Passover are right around the corner and for most of us, that typically means gatherings with friends and family. From Zinfandel and Shiraz with lamb to Cabernet Sauvignon with brisket to Riesling and Pinot Noir with ham, the following 10 affordable wines will pair up nicely with your spring holiday meals.
5 Easter Wines:
2010 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel ($12 – California) – Smoky, big and jammy deliciousness.
2011 Red Newt Cellars Circle Riesling ($12 – New York) – Pear and pineapple flavors with a trace of sweetness and a nice level of acidity.
2010 DEADBOLT Winemakers Blend ($16 – California) – big, beefy wine while showing finesse and elegance.
2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Dry Riesling ($17 – Australia) – Lime aromas and Meyer lemon flavors with great acidity.
2010 Heart and Hands Pinot Noir ($21 – New York) – Aromas of red berries, flavors of ripe cherries on a beautifully-balanced wine.
5 Passover Kosher Wines:
2009 Tabor Adama Cabernet Sauvignon ($16 – Israel) – Big cherry and berry flavors with smoky notes.
2009 Segal’s Fusion Dry Red Wine ($16 – Israel) – Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that is a great pairing with most foods.
2010 Yarden Odem Chardonnay ($17 – Israel) – Pleasant floral aromas and tropical fruit flavors.
Herzog 2008 Late Harvest Clarksburg Chenin Blanc ($20 – California) – This Kosher wine is a bit sweet on the palette with a long dry finish.
2009 Binyamina Reserve Shiraz ($24 – Israel) – Big wine with nice balance and notes of chocolate.
Here are some of our favorite New Jersey wine shops selling some of these Easter and Passover wines:
Gary’s Wine – Bernardsville, Madison and Wayne
Amanti Vino – Montclair
ShopRite Liquors – Rockaway, Lincoln Park
Bottle King – Hillsborough
Buy Rite Liquor – Milltown, Pompton Plains
Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie: Veronique is a food and wine writer based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and insight into the travel industry of which she’s a 15-year veteran. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.
