As Easter approaches, the menu planning begins—but have you thought about which wines will complement your feast? Whether you’re serving a traditional roasted lamb, a springtime brunch spread, or something unexpected, the right bottle can transform your holiday meal from delicious to memorable. We’ve curated a selection of exceptional wines that pair beautifully with classic Easter dishes, from robust reds that stand up to hearty lamb to crisp whites that bring out the best in spring vegetables.
Easter Wine FAQ
How many different wines should I offer?
For most Easter gatherings, 2-3 wine options provide enough variety without overwhelming guests. Consider offering one white, one red, and perhaps a rosé or sparkling option to cover different preferences.
How much wine should I buy?
Plan for about half a bottle per person for a typical Easter meal (that’s about 2-3 glasses). For longer gatherings with multiple courses, plan for 3/4 bottle per person. Always have a few extra bottles on hand as a buffer.
Should I serve wines at room temperature?
Not all of them! Serve white wines and rosés chilled (about 45-55°F), but not ice-cold which mutes flavors. Red wines should be served slightly below room temperature (around 60-65°F)—pop them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving for optimal taste.
When should I open the wines?
Open whites and rosés just before serving. For most red wines, opening 20-30 minutes before serving allows them to breathe and develop their aromas. Lighter reds like Pinot Noir need less time than fuller-bodied reds.
What if my guests have different wine preferences?
Easter is the perfect time to introduce a wine tasting element to your gathering. Offer small pours of different options and encourage guests to sample and discover new favorites. This approach creates conversation and allows everyone to find something they enjoy.
Easter Wine and Food Pairing Guide
Rutherford Proprietor’s Selection Red Blend with Roasted Leg of Lamb
This wine is filled with rich, dark tannins that scream of dark chocolate, ripe berries and spices. It’s the perfect big red wine to serve with Easter lamb or an Easter brunch lamb burger.
Duckhorn North Coast Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese or Cream Cheese
With refreshing hints of tropical fruits and ginger, and a mouthfeel that is both tartly crisp and creamy, this sauvignon blanc is so ideal with goat’s cheese appetizer. Think spring greens on a crostini with a swipe of chèvre. If you’re doing more of a brunch than dinner spread, this wine is great with toasted bagels or toast with goat cheese or cream cheese and a slew of toppings.
Pierre Sparr Pinot Blanc Grande Reserve and Brunch Quiche
Eggs and wine? They can be a tricky duo, but this bottle is a perfect match. Whip up an easy quiche with goat cheese and spring greens (try arugula or spinach) and you are set for success. With refreshing lemon peel acidity and freshness, this Pinot Blanc from Alsace is perfect to brighten up the buttery crust of the savory pie and matches any spring herbs, like chives, you might have thrown in. Plus, this wine is not too heavy to pour for brunch or dinner.
Cedar + Salmon 2022 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley and Ham
Crisp, with notes of lemon and tropical fruits, this is the perfect wine to refresh your palate between bites of salty ham. This bottle plays well with the fresh spring veggies that will be on the table, too. Buy a bottle for Easter and keep a second one to open the next time you’re enjoying a simple roast chicken for dinner.
Trimbach Pinot Blanc and Spring Salad and a Poached Egg
Another Alsatian wine, this bottle has a few more notes of stone fruits. The apricot notes are the perfect pair with fresh greens, spring mushrooms, chèvre cheese and the rich toppings of a poached egg. This white wine matches the light flavors of the salad and balances the heavier flavors of the runny yolk and mushrooms with its freshness.
Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Spring Morels
While we wanted to focus on spring morels and other mushroom dishes as the perfect pair for this Oregon Pinot Noir, in truth, this wine is so good with a glazed ham, duck, lamb and even salmon. It’s earthy and has deep notes of baked red fruits. It’s a beautiful Pinot Noir to set on the table and let it mingle as it pleases with your guests and all of the food.
Cedar + Salmon Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills and Grilled Rack of Lamb
So you know what to pair with roasted lamb or a lamb burger, but what about a medium-rare grilled rack of lamb? These meat lollipops are some of our favorites of the Easter spread and they pair perfectly with the rich, dark fruit and warm spice flavors of this wine. It’s the perfect grape to play with the smokiness from the barbecue, too.
Niklas Weingut Kerner and Roast Chicken
This dry white wine is bursting with floral aromas that immediately scream of spring. Each sip is crisp and peppered with a tickle of spice and a burst of acidity. This wine is perfect with a roast chicken with spring herbs or grilled chicken served with a spring herb sauce. It’s perfect with a slew of Easter leftovers too! Keep a bottle around for all of spring. We really love it with a spring veggie white pizza with prosciutto. So. Good.
Rombauer Merlot Napa Valley and Lamb Chops
Thick lamb loin chops grilled or seared in a cast iron pan are the perfect pair with a fruit-forward Merlot. Let the gaminess and fat of the chops be tamed by wine. This duo is seriously better to us than steak. Serve the chops with a salsa verde or a pureed herb sauce, like chimichurri. What a delicious way to welcome spring!
DeLoach Vineyard Designate Hawk Hill Chardonnay and Salmon
Be it smoked salmon at brunch or an oven-cooked salmon with a festive spring sauce, this Chardonnay is a great pair. The warm hints of caramelized pear and vanilla will match the smokiness or heaviness of the fish. Each sip finishes with bright acidity and hints of wood, a great balance with the rest of the fresh flavors on the table or with a lemon-herb sauce that tops the fish.
Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Rosé and Spring Paella
We love serving seafood for Easter dinner. Paella is a great way to get a starch, a protein and even veggies into one easy dish that will serve a crowd. This dry Grenache rosé is perfect with the light and heavy flavors of a paella. Its fruitiness will play well with so many dishes on the table and it will brighten up your tongue with its acidity.
WillaKenzie Estate Rosé Willamette Valley and a Chicken Salad
Did you sign up to bring the salad for Easter brunch or dinner? Don’t worry, the salad won’t be just another boring side dish if you bring a bottle of this rosé to pair. This Oregon bottle is one of our go-to’s when it comes to food-friendly rosés. It’s a perfect batch to cold chicken served on a bed of greens with goat cheese and any other spring veggies. It will also go so well with so many other foods on the table. It’s fruitiness and citrus zest notes pair well with the similar notes of spring foods.
Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay with Spring Pasta
Fresh notes of tropical fruits, flower blossoms, and butter, toasted oak make this Chardonnay a perfect pair with spring pastas. Choose a pasta with a light cream or butter sauce that is loaded with greens, herbs, maybe peas and lemon zest.
