Easter/Food with Netflix & Amazon
So this Easter is probably going to look a bit different for most… if not everyone! However, whether you are celebrating with family or alone – I hope these wines give you plenty of culinary inspiration and keep your streaming options flowing. Wishing you all a joyous, healthy and safe Easter. Cheers!
Chateau de Seuil Bordeaux Rose Franc 2017
UK: Virgin Wines (£10.99) Also Available in Magnum (£24.99)
Taste: Juicy and refreshing red fruit with a Schweppes bitter lemon finish and satisfying mouth feel.
Pair with: Lamb leftovers either in a simple cold salad or spicy Moroccan inspired tagine.
Stream with: A show which is uplifting and fun but has finesse and flair. ‘The Marvellous Mrs Maisel’ (Amazon Prime) and ‘Love’ ( Netflix) deliver both with aplomb.
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza Malbec Argentina 2017
UK: Strictly Wine (£17.87)
LA: Solano Cellars (2016 $27.50) Wine Exchange (2015 $23.98)
Taste: Made in concrete eggs from one of the highest vineyards in the Uco Valley – this is one of the most elegant Malbecs I have tried at this price point. Succulent boysenberry fruit is enlivened with herbaceous freshness and pliant tannins. V. impressive – will make some see Malbec in a whole new light.
Pair with: Herbes de Provence Crusted Lamb Chops
Stream with: Something elegant, nuanced and cunning with genre. The mystery thriller ‘The’ Homecoming’ (Amazon) with its ode to Hitchcock and the sci fi mind bending ‘Maniac’ (Netflix) can both entertain and shock with brilliant dexterity.
CVNE Imperial Reserva Rioja Spain 2015
CVNE Imperial Reserva Rioja Spain 2015
UK: Co-op (£19.75), Waitrose Cellar (£23.99), Majestic (£24.99)
LA: Los Angeles Wine Co ($36.95), Rosso Wine Shop ($49.99)
Taste: Cherry compote enveloped by vanilla cream and kissed with cinnamon and mocha. Kept in check with well – judged acidity and ripe tannins. This is a well – considered ‘hug in a glass’.
Pair with: Leg of Lamb
Stream with: The gripping and PEP filled docuseries ‘Cheer’ (Netflix); and the charming ‘Modern Love’ which is a gentle, tender throw back to 90s rom coms, will have you rooting for others and will bring a cheer to your heart
Synoro Skouras Greece 2012
UK: Epinoia (£23.80)
US: B21 ($19.99) , Craft Beer and Wine (2007: $28.99)
Taste: Truly awesome Cabernet Franc blend with the native Greek grape Aghiorghitiko. This will unite old and world wine lovers. Its luxuriant plum fruit and sweetly spiced oak nuances are combined with uplifting whispers of sage and aniseed. The chewy tannins and bright acidity give an impressive structure to this beguiling beauty.
Pair with: Whatever grows together goes together.. LAMB KOFTAS of course!
Stream with: ‘Chefs Table’ (Netflix) for sumptuous international gastronomic inspiration; and UK made series ‘Night on Earth’ (Netflix) which brings a new perspective to wildlife TV. Like the wine, both series embrace different lands and culture. The epitome of current classics.
Feiler – Artinger Blaufrankisch Austria 2016
Waitrose Cellar (£10.99)
Taste: This is a wine for Syrah lovers. Dark fruit takes a side seat to resinous peppery spice and a moreish leathery undertone. With its prominent tannins and savoury undertones this is a mature wine with unabashed heartiness.
Pair with: Roast Lamb
Stream with: This arresting vinous character complements gritty, engaging, contemporary noir. ‘Bosch’ (Amazon) delivers an irreverent LA based homicide detective in a grimy yet gripping detective series; whilst ‘Too Old to Die Young’ (Amazon) – also based in LA – is a part horror movie / part crime series made by a cult film maker. Delicious murkiness all round…
Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino Italy 2013
UK: Exel Wines (£34.80), Wine Direct (£37.95)
US: Solano Cellars ($82.35), Get Wine Online ($51.49)
Taste: Seductive red plum fruit is entwined with sweet basil freshness and a salivating sundried tomato umami undertone. Sandalwood and balsamic are pleasing oak touches. This impressively made wine has well crafted acidity, intensity and powerful alcohol for its age.
Pair with: ‘Abbacchio’, or suckling lamb, which has been a Roman springtime delicacy since ancient times and is often served for Easter celebrations. The lamb is seasoned with a garlicky paste that includes anchovies – these lend a salty, savoury kick and are the modern replacement for garum, a fermented fish sauce widely used in Ancient Roman cuisine. If you don’t have a suckling lamb don’t sweat it – a leg of lamb will do!
Stream with: A powerhouse Tuscan wine demands a duo of dynamo. Mob capering Narcos (Netflix) and Ozark (Netflix) should just about cut it!