It’s time to splash out on some fabulous wines for this Easter’s Sunday Lunch. Here are five exceptional, off-the-beaten-track wines for the job.
2011 Golden Fleece, Pecorino, Umani Ronchi, Marche, Italy (approx. £11.00, Great Western Wine tel. 01225 322810, Turton Wines tel. 0800 881 5644, Peter Green tel. 0131 229 5925). A new wine to me from and incredible producer, Golden Fleece is a luxurious, wild honey and lemon balm-kissed beauty from the Marche region of central Italy. It is utterly stunning with this week’s roast stuffed salmon with salsa verde recipe.
2011 Nelson Malbec, Siefried Estate, South Island, New Zealand (£9.99, Marks & Spencer). For once a back label tells it how it is! I wouldn’t have expected a malbec from Nelson to taste remotely delicious, but this wine does and the author of the label seems to agree. This is a wonderful explosion of wild flowers, mulberries and cherries – it is guaranteed to amaze.
2010 Albente, Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania, Italy (approx. £9.49, Ten Acre tel. 01992 618017, New Forest Wines tel. 01425 489771). Feudi is a legendary producer in Southern Italy and this is their ‘entry level’ white wine. It is a revelation. There is so much class and intrigue on display in this elegant, sophisticated and affordable wine it is incredible. Drink it with ultra-posh fish dishes.
Finest* 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal (£13.79, Tesco). Made by the famous Symington family, owners of Warres, Dows and Grahams, this beautiful tawny port proves that this eminent style of wine is not just for Christmas. Drunk slightly chilled it is the classiest of after-lunch tipples.
2007 Vina Mara, Finest* Rioja, Reserva, Spain (£9.49, Tesco). I am a huge fan of this producer and the sultry cherry and vanilla notes in this wine are hypnotic with the slow-roasted, stuffed pork belly with mixed herbs and apple recipe. Very few red wines can romance this dish and this stately Rioja does it with style.
