Easter wine pairings

Photo credit: Town Hall Brands

Oh Easter – it’s right up there with Halloween, for ways we can indulge in candy in the name of the holiday…. When we dig into our littles’ baskets and enjoy the sweets during grown-up time, we thought it would be fun to imagine the pairings with some of our favourite BC wines.

Can’t make the leap to put candy and wine in the same occasion? This wine lineup will do just as well while you are relaxing at home or to be shared at the dinner table.

Delicious local Easter wines

Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Cadbury Mini Eggs

Vancouver Island’s Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s 2018 Quill Q Red is made for easy sipping, with aromas of caramel, black cherry, licorice, and a finish of cocoa and clove.

To complement the subtle flavours of cocoa in this wine, Mini Eggs are the perfect Easter candy pairing. Covered with a light candied layer and filled with milk chocolatey goodness, buy a few bottles of the Quill Q Red as this candy is hard to put down!

Purchase the 2018 Quill Q Red ($23.99) online at bluegrouse.ca or in-person at Blue Grouse Estate Winery, and at Save-On-Foods stores, Beverly Corners Liquor Store on the Island, or Marquis Wine Cellars, Swirl Yaletown, or Clayton Liquor Store in the Lower Mainland.

Singletree Winery and Cookies & Cream Easter Eggs

Singletree Winery’s 2017 Sieggie is made from 100% Siegerrebe grapes, giving this wine floral, peach, pear, and lychee aromas, with apple and stone fruits on the palate.

White chocolate could be a match for the 2017 Sieggie. Pair this wine with Cookies & Cream Easter Eggs. The apple, stone fruit, and sweet-smelling aromas will lift the sugary notes in the chocolate.

Purchase the 2017 Sieggie ($16.10) online at singletreewinery.com, in-person at Singletree Winery in Abbotsford or Naramata, or at BC Liquor Stores.

Coolshanagh and Cadbury Creme Eggs

A fan-favourite, the Coolshanagh 2016 Chardonnay contains aromas of straw, green apple, and lychee, with a delicious rich layered texture.

The best Easter candies for this delicious Chardonnay are Creme Eggs, pairing with the creamy sweet centre found inside this egg’s milk chocolate coating.

Purchase the 2016 Chardonnay ($360.00 per case) online at coolshanagh.ca, or find it in-person at restaurants and retailers close to you: coolshanagh.ca/where-to-buy.

Haywire and Jelly Belly’s Spring Mix

Jelly Belly’s Spring Mix of jellybeans are playful and fun, and a wine that can match these candies is a punchy bubbly like the Haywire Vintage Bub.

The perfect bubbly for any celebration, the Haywire Vintage Bub 2013 has toasted hazelnut and apple aromas, with white grapefruit on the finish.

Purchase the Haywire Vintage Bub 2013 ($49.90) online at okanagancrushpad.com, in-person at Okanagan Crush Pad and BC Liquor Stores, or find it at restaurants and retailers closest to you: okanagancrushpad.com.

TIME Winery and Peanut Butter & Chocolate Eggs

The TIME 2018 Merlot is a rich, lush, red wine with strong aromas of plum, cherry, and blueberry.

A rich wine such as this pairs needs an equally-rich candy, so try Peanut Butter & Chocolate Eggs while sipping the TIME 2018 Merlot. This deep fruity red wine will complement the peanut butter, practically making a grown-up PB & J right on your tastebuds.

Purchase the TIME 2018 Merlot ($24.99) online at timewines.ca, in-person at TIME Winery & Kitchen in Penticton, or at Save-On-Foods stores and select private wine stores throughout the province.

Evolve Cellars and Peeps

The Pink Effervescence from Evolve Cellars is a sparkly combination ofberry, peach, and bubbles.

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Peeps marshmallow chicks are a classic. Pair this melt-in-your-mouth candy with some unique bubbles like the Evolve Pink Effervescence. What could be better?

Purchase the Pink Effervescence ($19.99) online at timewines.ca, in-person at TIME Winery & Kitchen in Penticton, or at BC Liquor Stores, Save-On-Foods stores, and select private wine stores throughout the province.

McWatters Collection Meritage and Lindt Chocolate Bunny

The McWatters Collection 2017 Meritage is a timeless wine complete with flavours of well-balanced fruit, oak characteristics, blackberry, and cassis overtones.

A prestigious Easter candy, such as a golden Lindt Chocolate Bunny, deserves an equally well-respected wine accompaniment. The McWatters Collection 2017 Meritage is a no-brainer. From the gold trim on the label, to the timeless flavours, this is the ultimate wine to match this upscale Easter treat.

Purchase the McWatters Collection 2017 Meritage ($34.99) online at timewines.ca, in-person at TIME Winery & Kitchen in Penticton, or at Save-On-Foods stores, and select private wine stores throughout the province.

Oliver Twist Winery and Chocolate Bunnies

The Cherry Baby from Oliver Twist Winery is a Port-style wine and is a perfect chocolate pairing. Lucious flavours of ripe dates, toasty pecans, dark chocolate, and lingering black cherry are brought out when nibbling on your Chocolate Bunny after a long Easter brunch.

Purchase the Cherry Baby ($29.99) in-person at Oliver Twist Winery (stay tuned for this winery’s rename coming soon!) in Oliver.

Guest post by Leeann Froese, wine connoisseur and owner and partner of Town Hall Brands, a full service agency that offers design, marketing and communication services.