Easter is a special time of year when time seems to slow down for the long weekend and families come together to reconnect and celebrate. There are many traditions observed over this auspicious time from activities to feasts, and Ken Forrester has a variety of wines perfect for partnering with your family’s celebrations.
Traditional Easter feasts around the world centre around fish and lamb, and South Africa is no different with Cape Malay pickled fish and Karoo lamb keeping mouths watering. Let’s have a look at some pairing ideas to get you into the Easter mood.
Starting with SA’s traditional pickled fish where gorgeously fried fish is coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. This cold dish is perfectly paired with a Sauvignon Blanc to match the zingy tang, or a Chenin or Chardonnay to pick up on the rich batter. Consider the Petit Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin for crowd-pleasing easy drinking, or the Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin for extra depth and character. This dish is sometimes served with hot cross buns for added sweet spice, this is perfect for the Petit Rosé and for something unique, Stained Glass will make this dish sparkle.
Since SA days are cooler this time of year, some warm fish courses may be in order, pan-seared sole almondine with its rich toasted almonds is perfect for the dry-land Terre Noir and the Old Vine Reserve Chenin. For something decadent, how about crayfish or Kingklip Thermador served with the exceptional FMC? The rich piquant sauce spiked with brandy, warmed with nutmeg and mustard is effortlessly partnered by this complex iconic full-bodied Chenin.
Turning our focus to lamb, a guaranteed family pleaser is a twist on a traditional bobotie, swapping out the traditional beef mince for lamb. This sweetly spiced dish with an added hint of rosemary is ideal for the smooth fruit-forward Petit Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you serve your bobotie with a side of fresh banana, the Petit Pinotage is a must. For something more traditional, a roast leg of lamb is the dish of choice. This is an exceptionally versatile roast when it comes to seasoning, whether it be Provençal in a bath of red wine, onions and rosemary, or Mediterranean with sundried tomato and black olives. Pat’s Garden Reserve is ideal for the wine driven Provençal lamb, while the Misfits Cinsault will effortlessly partner with the warm Mediterranean flavours. Both of these styles are ideal for the fruit-forward and intense Renegade and for something extra special, the wild and complex Gypsy.
The T Noble Late Harvest is the perfect way to finish off your Easter feast. This intense and zippy dessert wine is perfect on its own as a digestif or served with a cheese board with fresh-cut fruit and quality preserves.
Since this is a time of celebration, it is obligatory to have a bottle of bubbly. Sparklehorse is a nuanced Cap Classique with an eye-catching label. This bubbly makes for the perfect sundowner or aperitif, as well as an ideal gift when visiting friends and family this Easter. This year start a new tradition of elevating your celebrations with Ken Forrester’s fine selection of wines.