This is the second in a two part series on pairing wine with your Easter meals. Monday’s article, “Make Your Easter Brunch Sparkle,” featured recommendations from myself and fellow bloggers I follow on sparkling wines to pair with your Easter brunch celebration. However, not everyone celebrates Easter with brunch; therefore, this article features wines to pair with your Easter lunch or dinner celebrations.

Easter meals vary and are really a welcome of spring cuisine. There really are no rules of what foods to enjoy at Easter, and if there were who cares anyway. Traditional Easter meals often include ham or lamb; however, many chose to serve beef, poultry or fish. It is a great time to embrace the spring vegetables that are in season such as asparagus, artichokes and green beans as well as a great way to utilize all the colored eggs by serving deviled eggs. So here are some wine recommendations to pair with whatever you chose to prepare to celebrate Easter lunch or dinner.

Piatelli Torrontes 2012 Premium Reserve: This wine poured straw-like in color into the glass and opened with a lovely bouquet of peaches and citrus, with bright floral notes that came together beautifully on the palate. The acidity was well balanced and an oakiness that developed into a slight dryness on the palate; begging for another sip. This is one of my favorite wines. This wine pairs beautifully with cheese, spring veggies, poultry and seafood. SRP $14, click here to find this wine.

Indaba 2013 Chenin Blanc: This lightly golden wine met the nose with an inviting bouquet of fresh summer fruit. On the palate it burst forth with tropical fruit, citrus of lemons and oranges, Asian pears and white peaches. This 100% Chenin Blanc wine was light, crisp and refreshing; I thoroughly enjoyed it. This wine pairs well with deviled eggs, creamy cheeses, spring veggies, poultry and seafood. SRP $10, click here to find this wine.

Four Brix Winery Desirous 2012 Grenache Blanc: This wine offered an inviting bouquet and lively flavors of orchard and stone fruit with a touch of toasted almonds and a citrus zest; it was well balanced with round acidity; the grapes were grown in the Camp 4 Vineyards of Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County (a great Grenache Blanc vineyard) and aged in ½ American oak and ½ stainless steel; a truly lovely Grenache Blanc. This wine pairs well with ham, poultry and seafood, along with deviled eggs, and spring veggies. SRP $26, click here to find this wine.

McPherson Cellars Les Copains 2013 Dry Rosé: This Rhone style rosé was crafted from 55% Cinsault, 30% Mourvedre and 15% Viognier grapes. It poured a vibrant pink into the glass and met the nose with a familiar smell: Green Apple Jolly Ranchers! (I often find rosés I like to smell like a flavor of Jolly Rancher, go figure.) The Jolly Rancher aroma was accompanied by fresh strawberries and fresh cut herbs. On the palate the flavors of bright strawberries, green apples, cherries and fresh herbs danced across my tongue and down my throat. This wine offered a crisp acidity that I loved, along with light dry body and long finish. This dry wine pairs well with most any dish, and would make a great Easter wine. SRP $14, click here to find this wine.

Chateau Miraval 2014 Cotes de Provence: This wine was crafted from Grenache, poured a delicate salmon color into the glass and opened with inviting aromas of strawberries, floral notes and fresh cut herbs. On the palate this rose offered crisp acidity that paired beautifully with food as well as providing a great welcome to spring. On the palate it delivered lively flavors of strawberries, soft citrus, fresh cut roses and herbs along with a crisp minerality that is very reminiscent of Provence. It was light and clean yet delivered vibrant flavors. 90 pts Decanter; 91 pts Robert Parker, 89 pts Wine Spectator. This wine is well distributed and can be found for under $30 at a wine retailer near you.

A to Z 2012 Oregon Pinot Noir: This wine poured a lovely bright ruby into the glass and opened with a fresh bouquet of ripe red berries, fresh floral notes and earthy spices. On the palate this light and lively Pinot Noir delivered soft and elegant flavors of ripe red cherries, raspberries and strawberries followed by baking spice and violets with a touch of smoke and cassis lingering on the back of the palate. Though the Pinot Noir was light in body it was full in flavor with round acidity; a well-balanced wine. This Pinot Noir pairs well with ham, poultry and seafood, as well as deviled eggs and spring veggies.  SRP $16, click here to find this wine.

Margerum 2010 Syrah, Colson Canyon Vineyard, Santa Barbara County: This beautiful wine poured a lively garnet into the glass and opened with inviting aromas of ripe berries, spices, chocolate and soft floral notes. On the palate this wine delivered layers of concentrated black and blue berries with a touch of raspberry, along with black pepper, and a touch of leather with wet underbrush and vanilla. This well-structured Syrah has round acidity with integrated tannins that linger on the palate.This versatile wine pairs well with ham, poultry, and seafood, a perfect Easter wine. SRP $34, click here to find this wine.

Cline Cellars 2012 Zinfandel: The 2012 Zinfandel poured an inky violet into the glass and met the nose with a wonderful aroma of dark fruit. On the palate the fruit reveals itself as dark cherries, blackberries, plums and raspberries; followed by earthy spices. It was medium body with the right amount of tannins and acidity to add complexity to an already full wine. This vibrant wine pairs well with lamb and steak. SRP $12, click here to find this wine.

Grace Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc: This wine was crafted of 92.5% Cabernet Franc and 7.5% Petite Verdot. It poured a bright ruby into the glass with lovely viscosity. It opened with a wonderful aroma of dark berries, bell pepper, and tobacco. On the palate this smooth drinking wine offered flavors of ripe cherries, pepper, leather, minerals and a luscious smoke that rounded out full mouth feel. The tannins were quite refined and well balanced with the acidity, leading to a lingering mouth feel that was elegant and a great representative of both the vintage as well as the Monticello AVA terroir. This rich dark wine pairs well with lamb and steak. SRP $23. Click here to find this wine.

Carmen Gran Reserva 2011 Carmenère: This wine poured a vibrant garnet with orange highlights in the glass. It opened with brooding aromas of red fruit and spice, followed by smoky tobacco, coffee, leather and a hint of sweet vanilla. It seduced the palate with dark cherries, plums, black berries and cranberries wrapped around a bold earthiness comprised of spice with paprika, licorice an old cedar cigar box. It brought a smooth, rich, velvety mouth feel; complex with persistent flavors through the lingering finish. It was well balanced with round acidity and elegant tannins. It was crafted from 94% Carmenère, 4% Carignan and 2% Tempranillo, creating a complex, smooth and sexy wine. This wine pairs well with lamb and steak. SRP $16. Click here to find this wine.

Whatever you chose to prepare for your Easter lunch or dinner celebration one or more of these wines should be on your table. Many of them are readily available at local wine retailers all over the US and many costing less than $20. Whatever food and wine you choose to serve I wish you and your family a joy-filled Easter!

My Song Selection: The song I have chosen to pair with these Easter wine and food pairings is not only perfect for Easter but also for spring; furthermore, it is one of my favorite praise and worship songs. So take a moment to enjoy Cannons by Phil Wickham as you celebrate the glory of the great day with delicious food and wine with family and friends!

Happy Easter! Cheers!