One of the most beloved and family-oriented holidays in Armenia, Easter brings warmth, more time with loved ones, and plenty of delicious dishes. The entire menu for this special day differs significantly from everyday meals. In addition to all this, Easter is also about choosing the perfect wine and making every dish even more colorful.
So, how to choose an Easter wine?
Easter Breakfast and the Best Wines
When selecting wine for Easter, it’s important to consider the dishes being served—typically Easter breakfast, which usually includes eggs, fresh salads, cheeses, and fruits. For pairing with eggs, you might choose Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc—fresh, light white wines that taste especially good with such dishes.
For light and fresh salads, sometimes served with a slightly tangy dressing, consider Rosé, Pinot Blanc, or Muscat wines. These types of wine are known for their springtime elegance and often carry fruity notes.
Red Wines and Easter Brunch
Red wines can vary greatly depending on the grape variety, production method, and even the age of the wine. Some types are light and fruity, while others are deep, flavorful, and full-bodied.
If you prefer lighter wines that pair easily with a festive brunch, for example, Pinot Noir. It offers delicate notes that include fruit and a hint of acidity. This type of wine pairs well with salads and eggs, offering a balanced drinking experience. By the way, you can find various types of Pinot Noir at the Vino&Vino alcohol store.
If you prefer richer and bolder flavors, choose Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), or Malbec. These wines feature notes of dark fruits like blackcurrant and plum. Upon tasting, you may also detect hints of dark chocolate and spices. They make an excellent choice when curating Easter wine pairings.
Key Tips for Proper Wine Pairing
Diets and Special Eating Preferences
If you follow a plant-based diet, you can still honor your preferences during Easter. Choose wines that pair well with vegetable-based salads—for example, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, or even a bubbly Brut with roasted vegetables.
With gluten-free dishes, you can pair Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or light red wines like Pinot Noir.
Regional Wines and Easter Dishes
When choosing wine, consider the region as well. For example, among French wines, you might select Rosso Nobile, PARIS SEDUCTION Sauvignon Blanc, or others.
Among Italian wines, consider Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, or Prosecco. These wines highlight the flavor of any dish.
And from Armenian wines, you can choose Papazyan, Shoror, or other brands.
Common Wine Pairing Mistakes
During the selection, pairing, and tasting of wine, certain mistakes can completely alter the flavor profile. Here are a few to avoid:
Serving wine too warm or too cold
Serving wine at the wrong temperature changes its flavor characteristics. To avoid this:
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White wine should be lightly chilled (around 8–12°C),
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Red wine should be close to room temperature (around 15–18°C),
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Sparkling wines or champagne should be well chilled (6–8°C).
For instance, overly chilled red wine loses its signature taste and structure, while overly warm white wine loses its freshness and acidity.
Overpowering delicate dishes with heavy red wines
If a dish has a delicate and light flavor profile, avoid pairing it with heavy wines, as the wine will overpower the dish and you’ll taste only the wine.
Mismatching sweetness between wine and dessert
Sweet desserts like cakes or chocolates require equally sweet or even sweeter wines, such as Moscato, Port, or semi-sweet Riesling.
The key is always to find complementary, rather than overpowering, flavor profiles between food and drink. And for your preferred wine, head to the Vino&Vino alcohol store.
