The best wines for Easter: lamb, ham, salmon and chocolate pairings

Easter is the first big family meal of spring, and a great excuse to open something special. Whether you’re serving roast lamb, glazed ham or a lighter fish dish, here’s how to pick the perfect wine, plus a few ideas for chocolate eggs.

Wine with roast lamb

Roast lamb is the traditional Easter centrepiece. Its rich, slightly sweet flavour loves reds with good acidity and savoury depth, especially if you’re roasting it with garlic and rosemary.

• Rioja: a classic pairing, especially a Reserva or Gran Reserva. The savoury, slightly herbal notes are a perfect match. Try Beronia Rioja Reserva or Faustino I Gran Reserva.
• Bordeaux: the traditional English choice with lamb. Calvet Saint-Émilion is smooth and plummy.
• Pinot Noir: brilliant with pink, lightly cooked lamb. Try Nautilus Estate Pinot Noir.
• Chianti Classico: savoury and fresh, great with herby lamb. Try Castello di Albola Chianti Classico.

For slow-roast lamb shoulder, which is richer, a fuller wine like a Côtes du Rhône or Malbec works well.

Wine with glazed ham

Ham is salty and often has a sweet glaze of honey, mustard or marmalade. It needs a wine with fruit, freshness and low tannin.

• Off-dry Riesling: the touch of sweetness balances the salt. Try Kloster Eberbach Riesling Kabinett.
• Beaujolais: juicy and light, perfect with ham. Try Louis Jadot Fleurie.
• Dry rosé: fresh and fruity. Mirabeau Belle Année is lovely.

Wine with salmon and fish

If you’re serving salmon or a fish dish on Good Friday, choose a rich white or a light red. Moillard Burgundy Chardonnay is creamy and elegant, while a chilled Moillard Burgundy Pinot Noir is a lovely red option. See our guide to the best wine with fish.

Vegetarian Easter

A spring vegetable tart or risotto suits fresh, crisp whites with a little texture. Grüner Veltliner is famously good with asparagus and spring vegetables; try Sepp Moser Grüner Veltliner.

Spring fizz

Easter brunch is the perfect time for a glass of bubbles. English sparkling wine is a lovely choice for a spring celebration: Chapel Down Brut or Hambledon Classic Cuvée Rosé. For Mimosas or Bellinis, Prosecco is perfect; see our sparkling cocktail guide.

Wine with chocolate eggs

Chocolate is notoriously tricky with wine, but a few styles work brilliantly.

• Milk chocolate: tawny port or a light, sweet sparkling red. Try Tre Secoli Brachetto d’Acqui.
• Dark chocolate: ruby port or LBV. Graham’s LBV is a great match.
• Chocolate desserts: Quady Elysium Black Muscat or Rubis Chocolate Wine.

Wine with simnel cake and hot cross buns

Simnel cake, with its marzipan and dried fruit, is lovely with a tawny port or a glass of Madeira. Hot cross buns are great with a cup of tea, though a glass of Moscato d’Asti is a fun alternative.

FAQs

What’s the best red wine with Easter lamb?

Rioja Reserva, Bordeaux and Pinot Noir are all excellent choices.

What wine goes with ham?

Off-dry Riesling, Beaujolais and dry rosé all balance ham’s saltiness beautifully.

For more ideas, read our guide to the best red wines.