Not a traditional celebrated season, but Easter is a key period for the trade. It brings a long weekend with people wanting to get together, creating opportunities for memorable occasions with seasonal menus and the chance to drive additional revenue through thoughtful wine pairings. Two foods traditionally dominate menus at this time of year, lamb and chocolate. Both offering the chance for you to get creative with your wine list.
Lamb
Roast Spring lamb is a classic Easter centrepiece. Its relatively delicate flavour allows it to pair with a variety of wine styles depending on the preparation.
For a traditional roast leg of lamb served with roast potatoes and spring vegetables such as sweet carrots and roasted asparagus, medium-bodied reds with bright fruit and fresh acidity work particularly well.
Syrah’s bold flavours of black pepper and dark fruit are perfect in complementing lamb’s rich, gamey character. The wine’s high tannin cuts through the fat and the savoury, peppery nature mirrors the herbs traditionally used to roast lamb. Its such a match sommeliers often call it a ‘bulletproof’ as it's impossible to go wrong. Château Saint-Roch, Côtes du Rhône is a great choice. Offering ripe red and black fruit with earthy herbs and spice hints. It has a fleshy, balanced mouthfeel that finishes with freshness and finesse leaving the palate almost cleansed after each mouthful.
Château Saint-Roch, Côtes du Rhône
Ripe red and black fruit aromas with Provençal herb and spice hints and a fleshy, balanced mouthfeel that finishes with freshness and finesse
For an upsell, there’s Burgundy. Offering juicy red fruit and balanced structure that complements lamb without overwhelming the meat. Try Monthélie Premier Cru, Clos des Champs Fulliot, Domaine Eric Boigelot which features bright red fruit, earthy undertones and well-integrated tannins. Classic Bordeaux blends work well too with the classic British roast, the black fruit enhances the lamb and fresh mint sauce flavours. We recommend Château d'Aiguilhe.
Delicious blueberry fruit with cherries and floral notes
Not a traditional match but a white wine which will be great is Dougos, Meth'Imon Acacia. An Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc blend from Greece. A wine pairing that has been used for centuries by the locals and the Greeks know lamb! With searing acidity cutting through the fat of the meat and adding a crisp freshness to the palate, anything roasted with oregano or lemon will pair beautifully.
Dougos, Meth'Imon Acacia, 2021
Expressive and inviting, opening with notes of flowers, tropical fruit and sweet oak
Rosé provides an ideal middle ground, combining the freshness of a white with some of the structure of a red, Château Canet, Fleur de Charlotte Syrah Rosé delivers the same bright fruit but adds a refreshing acidity to cut through the fat.
Château Canet, Fleur De Charlotte Syrah Rosé, 2024
Offers fresh strawberry and subtle spice notes - crisp and refreshing
Chocolate & Easter Desserts
Easter gives us an obvious opportunity to feature chocolate desserts, carrot cake, lemon puddings and candied fruit. Pairing these with the right wine can elevate the end of the meal while encouraging guests to explore something new.
Sweet wines with good acidity tend to work best and Tokaji is a particularly strong pairing, Château Dereszla Tokaji Aszú is an excellent example that works beautifully alongside desserts as the rich honeyed stone and citrus flavours compliment with a vibrant acidity balancing the sweetness.
Château Dereszla, Henye Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos, 2017
Rich honeyed apricot sweetness balanced by bright acidity and a long finish
For guests who prefer red dessert wines, Luigi Righetti Recioto della Valpolicella offers rich cherry fruit and natural sweetness that pairs well with chocolate-based dishes.
Luigi Righetti, Recioto Della Valpolicella Classico, 2023
Dark, dense and creamy with a hint of ripe tannins
By building a small selection of versatile wines around your seasonal dishes, you can create a focused Easter wine offer that is easy for staff to recommend. Featuring wines across a range of price points also allows for approachable by-the-glass options alongside premium bottle upsells, helping maximise both guest satisfaction and spend during the busy Easter Bank Holiday period.