Easter wines for traditional Easter foods

Lamb is now a firm Easter favourite, even though the tradition of eating lamb only became widespread in Finland a few decades ago. 

Red wine pairs perfectly with Easter lamb

As Easter is a major festival that revolves around food, it makes sense to focus on picking the right drinks, too. Master of Wine Taina Vilkuna, Alko’s Product Communications Manager, opts for classic picks to pair with Easter lamb.

“For lamb, I’d choose a medium or full-bodied red wine. The classic regions of Europe produce wines that go excellently with lamb:  the red wines of Rioja in Spain, Bordeaux in France and Tuscany in Italy are suitably robust and full for lamb delicacies. Those who love New World red wines can’t go wrong with the succulent Malbecs of Argentina or the spicy Shirazes of Australia,” says Vilkuna.

Rosé champagne brings out the best in the flavour of lamb

For lighter dishes, a more delicate wine may be more suitable. Vilkuna’s tip is that a rosé rack of lamb and lamb tartare – dishes where the meat flavour is the main focus – go beautifully with a dry rosé champagne.

Dark beer for Easter lamb

When it comes to beers, Vilkuna prefers to pair Easter lamb with rich flavours. Full and nuanced abbey and Trappist beers are an excellent choice, but those who prefer slightly lighter beers can pair lamb with a dark lager. Warming bocks and tart saisons are also good choices.

Read more about beers that go great with your Easter feast.

Non-alcoholic options for the Easter table

Non-alcoholic options pair wonderfully with Easter delicacies. Wine lovers can combine a nuanced & well-balanced or crisp & fruity white wine with Easter dishes. Lamb pairs well with a succulent & jammy medium full bodied non-alcoholic red wine. Tip: you should cool non-alcoholic wines in good time before serving. 

Sweet wines complement the flavours of Easter desserts

In addition to lamb, traditional Finnish Easter foods include chocolate eggs, rahkapiirakka fruit tart, pasha custard – and, of course, mämmi rye dessert. Mämmi is a traditional oven-sweetened Finnish dessert made with malts and rye flour. It is served with sugar and cream, and sometimes covered with whipped cream.

“Around Easter, shoppers at our stores ask us what they should serve to drink with mämmi. Remember the three m’s: malaga, madeira and marsala. The plum and fig aromas of these classic sweet wines dovetail nicely with the maltiness of mämmi,” says Vilkuna.

Russian pasha has become an Easter favourite in Finland, too. The popularity of sweet kulitsa bread, another traditional Orthodox food, is also rising.

Pasha is a hearty dessert – for this reason, Vilkuna says that the sweet wine it’s paired with should have a refreshing acidity. Tokaji is a familiar and traditional choice for many. Vin santo – Italian “holy wine” – is perfect for Easter, and not just because of its name. And don’t forget about the dessert wines of Germany and Austria, especially Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese. Non-alcoholic sparkling wine is an excellent companion to a fruity pasha.

Text Lasse Pakarinen