With Easter just a few days away, it’s time to think about what you’ll serve with your Sunday celebration lunch. This week, Times wine columnist James Viner selects
four wines that are sure to put a spring in your step…
(1) Brilliant Bubbles from Cool-Climate
California Quartet NV Brut, Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, California, USA, The Wine Society/The Wine Reserve, £24
All feasts should start with bubbles, shouldn’t they? An exceedingly distinguished bottle from the northern Californian coastal region the Anderson Valley, this stylish traditional method fizz is produced by Roederer, the celebrated family-owned Champagne house renowned both for its early connections with the Russian court and for its sizeable vineyard ownership (they also make Cristal). This sings with pear, honeysuckle, spice, brioche and hazelnut, with all these flavours presenting as a fused whole. The elegantly refined texture and delicate, impeccably integrated dosage confirm the excellent craftsmanship. Perfect for fish/white meats with creamy sauces, oysters, sushi, smoked salmon or crab. Fizz punching superbly above its price that’s certain to impress. Alc 12%
(2) High-Street Aromatic White Choice for SeafoodÂ
2017 Exquisite Collection Marsanne, Languedoc, France, Aldi, £5.99
A richly-flavoured Languedoc gem that is a crowd-pleasing delight. This magnificently
scented 100% marsanne is a classy affair with pear and almond blossom aromas, pungent citrus tones and a hint of honey. If you’re not familiar with it, then marsanne is a light-skinned white Rhône variety that’s usually blended with roussanne and/or viognier. Often tough to achieve, but Jean-Claude Mas has got this one spot-on. Pour it for seafood and white meats, especially belly of pork. It’s attractive and incredibly quaffable, and one to seek out on your next Aldi visit. Alc 13%
(3) Classy Claret, Easter Lamb Ahoy!
2014 Château Sénéjac Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France, Co-op, £14.99 offer
Located close to the vineyards of Margaux, Château Sénéjac is one of the better known Crus Bourgeois of Bordeaux’s Haut-Médoc. With pleasing boysenberry, herbal, cassis and foresty aromas, this classic and supple Cab-Sauvignonforward red is a colossally tasty find for the price. A top claret for a classic roast leg of lamb, roast fillet of beef or steak tartare and it tastes divine with a cheese course, especially mature cheddar and Comté – sheer gastronomic heaven! Make sure you decant it for an hour to let the black
fruits unfurl. Serious class and a steal at the splendid Co-op offer. Alc 13.5%
(4) Sumptuous Organic Sweet Red Tailor-Made for Easter Chocolates
Domaine Pouderoux Maury Grande Reserve NV, Roussillon, France, Waitrose, £11.49 (50cl)
Have you ever pondered which wine complements chocolate desserts? Well, look no
further than this gloriously spicy, plummy and figgy sweet Vin Doux Naturel based on powdery, old-vine grenache from Domaine Pouderoux. Try with dark chocolate eggs, chocolate parfait, a red-fruit based chocolate gateau or a cheese platter. It’s an egg-cellent match and certainly tried and tested – Robert Pouderoux’s family have been vignerons in Maury since 1826. Joyeuses Pâques! Alc 16.5%
Follow James on Twitter: @QuixoticWine
