Easter is all about celebration: it’s the perfect time for gathering with loved ones, sitting back and enjoying the long weekend. Of course, a family gathering or laid-back weekend isn’t complete without an Easter Feast with the perfect bottles of wine to accompany it. Just like what American country music and bluegrass singer, Kathy Mattea, once said: “A gourmet meal without a glass of wine just seems tragic to me somehow.” And we agree!

So, what’s on your menu this weekend? No matter what you have planned, here are a few wine suggestions for any well-loved Easter weekend meals.

Scrumptious Side Dishes

Honey-glazed asparagus and sauteed mushrooms with oregano and pistachio pesto are some popular side dishes best to eat alone or with your Easter party’s main star. For your wine, go for a Sauvignon Blanc with fresh and grassy notes or fresh Riesling to start the meal off right.

Access wine picks for you to try:

• 2020 Robert Oatley Signature Series Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc– a blend of passionfruit, cut grass and a hint of lime zest

• Paulett 2020 Late Harvest Riesling – has hints of honeysuckle and white florals for a balance underlying minerality and slate notes

Delectable Main Course

For Easter, fish and lamb are always the go-to, with fish for Good Friday and Lamb for Easter Sunday. Both are delectable and can become a show-stopping main as long as it’s prepared with care, and paired with the perfect wine to enhance both flavours and the meal experience.

Fish

There are many ways to cook your main fish course: whether you want a grilled fish with lemon or maybe a baked fish with a delicious blend of various herbs and spices, you can never go wrong with a bottle of Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is a great wine to choose from for any fish dishes; however, some Chardonnays are a better fit than others. Take out your leaner wines for lighter dishes, such as grilled or baked fish. On the other hand, fruit-forward, lightly oaked versions with richer flavours are perfect for fried fishes with batter.

Access wine picks for you to try:

• Paulett 2020 Polish Hill River Chardonnay – has flavours of stone fruit and melon with underlying citrus characters with a slight buttery, creamy texture

• 2018 Robert Oatley Signature Series Margaret River Chardonnay – mid-weight wine with a citrusy, medium weight style and matured in French oak barriques

• Vandenberg ARI Chardonnay – has nougat-like creaminess with subtle up-front oak elements with long, lingering acidity

• Vandenberg SIX BROTHERS 2019 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay – has a palate of stone fruits and a creme brûlée-like creaminess

Lamb

One of the staples for Easter Sunday lunchtime is the one and only roast lamb: a staple in Australia. Roast lamb even got the title “Australia’s National Dish” after most residents selected during a nationwide survey by Continental.

If you’re thinking of cooking the all-time favourite roast lamb, you’ll have to pick wines that balance the lamb’s flavours and can cut through the fat. For this, we suggest going for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is popularly known as a lamb-friendly red wine, and will definitely give your meal a classy edge.

Access wine picks for you to try:

• 2018 Robert Oatley Signature Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon – made from grapes harvested from the northern regions of Margaret River: Wilyabrup, Carbunup and Cowaramup

• Burge Family Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon – rich berry fruit tones and is balanced with a subtle use of oak

• Vandenberg Six Brothers Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon – made with sweet red fruits on the mid palate, accompanied with mulberry and blackcurrant

Tasty Treats

An Easter party is not complete without treats for people to munch on after the meal, or bring home to eat later. You guessed it—we’re talking about Easter eggs!

You may not know it, but chocolate can be paired with wine, too! However, the perfect match depends on what type of chocolates your Easter eggs or sweet treats are made of. On top of that, you also need to consider if there are other ingredients within the chocolate, such as nuts, fruit or caramel. 

Here are our wine pairing recommendations for those with a sweet tooth:

• White Chocolate – perfect to pair with a rosè wine, such as Paulett 2020 Sangiovese Rosé and Vandenberg JASMIN Brut Rosé

• Milk Chocolate – go with fruity wines like the 2019 Robert Oatley Signature Series Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

• Dark Chocolate – try full-bodied, fruit-forward wines, such as Paulett 2017 Polish Hill River Cabernet Merlot
  

Have Access to Premium, Leading Wine Brands

Taking a sip of wine every now and then during a delicious meal enhances the food’s flavour. It can also serve as a palate cleanser, preparing your taste buds for another wonderful gourmet experience.

Have a wine for your next party, getaway or relaxing staycation: Access has partnered with premium wines that will give you a wine experience like no other. Included in our portfolio are premium wine brands Burge Family Winemakers, Paulett Wines, Vanderburg and Robert Oatley.

Aside from wine, we also have other brands on our roster, including wellness, beauty and other lifestyle products. These brands exemplify our ethos of providing high-quality products and lifestyles for consumers worldwide, while helping them reach their target market. We choose brands with a rich heritage and are not afraid to dive in and seek innovation for better quality. Make sure to explore all the incredible options, and we hope you enjoy your Easter, everyone!