Easter Wine Pairings for a Tuscan Easter Lunch

Do something different for your Easter celebration this year by holding a Tuscan Easter lunch replete with traditional dishes and wine pairings. Each region in Italy celebrates Easter with different dishes and flavors. In Tuscany, you'll find the rich taste of grilled lamb paired with refreshing Spring dishes like artichoke risotto and asparagus lasagna. 

Grilled lamb is intense, savory and gamey, which makes Nobile di Montepulciano a perfect fit with its flavors of red fruit, light tannins and clean acidity. Strong-flavored meat like lamb pairs best with lighter tannin wines. Nobile di Montepulciano also features a distinct earthiness, which works with traditional lamb seasonings like rosemary. 

Vermentino is a white wine with a medium-light body and green herb flavors. It pairs delightfully with sharp and salty Pecorino cheese, which typically has a much stronger flavor versus the more common Parmesan cheese. Combined, the wine offers a refreshing finish to contrast the full-flavored cheese. 

Artichokes are a traditionally difficult vegetable to pair with wine due to the combination of bitter and sweet flavors. Risotto is naturally creamy, which makes Gewurztraminer an ideal pairing with its intense floral aromas, spice notes and smokey finish. 

Spumante Brut is a dry Italian sparkling wine, which makes it a refreshing and beautiful accompaniment to the rich, creamy flavors of asparagus lasagna. Asparagus is another vegetable with bitter notes and these are nicely set off by a sparkling style. 

Chianti is a traditional and tasty pairing with simple sausage pasta. As a high-acid wine, it's a natural fit for acidic foods such as pasta with tomato sauce. The dry finish also helps cut the fatty flavors from the sausage. 

Proper wine pairing with food not only brings out all the delicate flavors of the highlighted dish, but it also tends to fully showcase the wine.