Much of the world will soon declare holidays around Easter. In the Christian calendar there is simply no higher, resplendent day of the year than Easter Sunday.
Many North Americans, uncomfortable with rumours of resurrection and God-rescue, have opted for rituals of spring with bunnies and chocolates. American author, Anne Lamott, tells of how one Sunday School kid pulled the two ideas together by drawing "a picture of the Easter Bunny outside the tomb: everlasting life, and a basket full of chocolates. Now you're talking."
From a wine lover's point of view, it's noteworthy that Jesus' public work and death are book-ended by wine. In the village of Cana Jesus performs his first public miracle when he agrees to his mother's request to rescue a young married couple from the humiliation of running out of wine for all the collected community and guests. Water becomes very, very good wine. And lots of it, equivalent to about 800 bottles of wine! Plenty for the days-long celebration. Then, three years later, the night before his death, Jesus with his closest friends, highlights wine as symbolic of something God-grand. Evil's strongest grip - death - is about to lose its finality as Jesus submits to a humiliating death to in turn conquer it with his resurrection.
Easter Sunday calls for a good bottle of wine, and maybe a chocolate egg or two.
Enjoy, Doug Reichel
Doug's Wine Picks for Easter
Selbach Riesling Kabinett Fish Label 2011/12-Germany ($18.70 - ID No. 6612). Winemaker: Johannes Selbach. Sometimes you need a wine that can go anywhere, compliment most foods and please everyone. This is the one. The Riesling grapes in this wine are from the season's first picking so the fruit is ripe but more crisp than later pickings. An elegant Riesling with a floral nose. Peaches and apples on the palate backed by crisp acidity with a touch of sweetness. Food pairing ideas: Excellent match with Asian, vegetarian cuisine, salmon, poultry and pork. Or just by itself.
Medeiros Regional Red 2010- Portugal ($19.95 - ID No. 15810). Description: From the vineyards of Antonio and Alicia in the south of Portugal. The Medeiros vineyards are near a lake filled with resident and migratory birds. This may be Portugal's answer to big California reds at twice the price. Produced from their own hand picked Aragonez, Syrah, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties, the wine is matured in French oak barrels for 12 months helping tame the tannins. Thick, black, concentrated fruit but accessible. Decant and enjoy immensely. Food pairing ideas: grilled and roasted red meats, creamy and strong cheeses.
Rozendal 2000 - South Africa ($29.61 - ID No. 6266). Winemaker: Kurt Ammann. One of my long-time favourite wines, this is all about letting the healthy land and grapes strut their stuff -13 years and counting - where were you in 2000? Made bio-dynamically ("beyond organic") from their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this is also one of Saskatchewan's very few sulphite-free wines (lab-certified), meaning you are enjoying some of the very purist expressions of these grapes from that part of the world. If Easter is about celebration then this may be the wine for the occasion. Food pairing suggestions: Lamb, beef, vegetarian lasagnes, roast poultry, hard and soft cheeses.
All wines listed are available in Saskatchewan through your local government liquor store or rural liquor franchisee. If they don't have it in stock, request it by ID No.and they'll bring it in.
