Easter is just around the corner and a common question is “What Easter wine do I serve with dinner?”
Maybe your dinner is lamb and you’d like to know what would pair well with that. Or, perhaps it’s a big ham that everyone is going to be enjoying.
Well this review is extra special. Not only does it answer the Easter wine question, but it also allows me to introduce you to Erin Sharp. She’s got a great review blog called Clever Girl Reviews and in the review below she’s revealing TWO great wines to pair with your Easter dinner.
Here’s Erin…
Easter in my family means one thing: Lamb Shish Kebab. For us, Easter is a labor intensive feast full of family favorites.
Of course, with temperatures rising, you can’t serve a heavy red but you do need something that can stand up to the intense flavors.
RUTZ Pinot Noir Review
I usually reach for a Pinot Noir and this year I’m turning to RUTZ Pinot Noir 2012 to compliment my meal. This gem from Carneros drinks like a medal winner but costs $10!
RUTZ Pinot Noir 2012 comes in at 13.9% alcohol.
You will want to chill this wine to 55 degrees and aerate it before serving.
I’ve tested it in a Riedel Pinot glass as well as a standard stemless glass for red wine. The wine shows softer and plusher in the specialty glass but your guests will still love it in the casual stemware.
The nose on the RUTZ Pinot Noir 2012 is not huge but it’s very perfumed. You’ll get a ton of black fruit, mainly boysenberry, supported by leather, tobacco, and menthol. Hints of cherry and prunes linger in the glass after you swirl.
The palate flavors follow the nose but you get a whole spice box along with it, with baking and savory spices coming together under a bourbon vanilla note.
In the mid palette you’ll notice a dried citrus peel note with violets and roses.
Right before the finish you will get a spicy, smokey kick that reminds me of chipotle chili powder.
The finish gives you a mélange of dried black fruit, dry vanilla, and piñon coffee. When the wine is fully open, you’ll see the piñon flavor intensified and a hint of anise seed.
The tannins on this wine are exceptionally fine and sleek.
The body of the wine is of medium weight and tastes silky smooth. The acid is in perfect balance.
This drinks very similarly to one of my favorite Pinots of all time, Ponzi’s Tavola which is at a $25 price point and was just given 91 points by Wine Spectator.
I’d also give the RUTZ Pinot Noir 2012 a 91 point rating.
Kung Fu Girl Riesling Review
Many families out there choose to serve a ham for Easter.
My recommendation for your table is the 2013 Kung Fu Girl Riesling. It comes in at 12% alcohol.
You will want to chill it to 45 degrees and keep it at that temperature throughout serving.
The nose on the Kung Fu Girl is big and bright. You’ll notice Meyer lemon, limes, white peach, minerals and delicate floral notes.
The palate brings all those flavors together with orange blossom, tart granny smith apples, and honey notes.
The acid on this wine is a bit on the higher side than your standard flabby and sweet $10 Riesling, so it will stand up to your sweet glaze and full fat mashed potatoes.
The finish is long and dry with notes of honeycomb and minerals.
This wine is very crisp and fresh! The price varies from retailer to retailer but I’ve never seen it over $13.
It’s also been recently given a 91 point rating by Wine Spectator and has been on their best buy list for the past five years.
You can’t miss with this one!
Author Bio: Erin Sharp is the creator of CleverGirlReviews. CGR is dedicated to finding the best wines and sharing them with you!
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Thanks again Erin!
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