Six Exceptional Red Wines Perfect for Easter and Other Special Occasions Chris Lehoux, March 26, 2024 Great wines always make special occasions even more special. That’s why I often recommend several great wines worth splurging on for the holidays every December. But why wait until then to break out a great wine? There are so many special occasions between now and then. This month, there’s Easter. Next month, there’s Passover. And if you don’t celebrate either holiday, I’m sure there’s something worth celebrating soon. In fact, I firmly believe that opening a great bottle of wine can be a special occasion itself. So whatever the occasion, here are six great red wines for Easter or any special occasion. Let me add that these are all outstanding wines I have tasted within the past three months. And don’t get too hung up on which wines to pair with which foods. Ham, turkey and duck (which are often served on Easter) all go well with many different types of red and white wines. And if you’re specifically looking for kosher wines, I promise I will recommend several kosher wines before Passover begins on April 22. Hope you enjoy. 2022 Seghesio Family Estates Sonoma County Zinfandel ($26 Suggested Retail Price) Region: Sonoma County, California Grapes: 100% zinfandel Tasting notes: Red zinfandel wines from California often get overlooked as over-the-top high-alcohol wines. But when done right, these wines can be just as elegant as any California cabernet sauvignon. This particular gem has a bold array of subtle flavors, including hints of blackberry, cherry and toasted almonds. 2019 Renwood Ranch Estate Zinfandel Amador County ($28 SRP) Region: Amador County, California Grapes: 100% zinfandel Tasting notes: Made with zinfandel grapes from California’s Amador County southeast of Sacramento, this delightful, opulent zin has many fascinating flavors, including hints of smoked cedar, dark chocolate, roasted almonds and cherries. 2022 Archery Summit Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($65 SRP) Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon Grapes: 100% pinot noir Tasting notes: Oregon’s Willamette Valley has a well-earned reputation for producing outstanding pinot noirs. This bright, lively pinot starts out slightly spicy but quickly takes on more soft, understated flavors, including a delicate blend of plums, cherries and roasted walnuts. 2016 Ramon Bilbao Mirto Rioja ($80 SRP) Region: Rioja, Spain Grapes: 100% tempranillo Tasting notes: Elegant yet earthy flavors, including subtle hints of blackberry, roasted coffee beans, black licorice and dark chocolate that last at least half a minute after each taste. An outstanding Rioja ready to drink now. 2013 Pasqua Mai Dire Mai Amarone Della Valpolicella ($85 SRP) Region: Amarone Della Valpolicella, Italy Grapes: 65% corvina, 15% corvinone, 10% rondinella, 10% oseleta Tasting notes: Red wines from Italy’s legendary Amarone region consistently deliver outstanding, austere flavors mixed with beautiful hints of vibrant fruit notes, including ripe blackberries, cherry and cedar in this particular powerhouse of a wine from Italy’s historic Pasqua winery. 2020 Trapiche Iscay ($110 SRP) Region: Mendoza, Argentina Grapes: 50% malbec, 50% cabernet franc Tasting notes: Bold, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend that tastes like a combination of a powerful Argentinian malbec and a subtle French cabernet franc. Flavors include subtle hints of blueberries, blackberries, lavender and espresso. Absolutely outstanding. Cheers! Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine