Easter with a Twist
This Easter WEEKEND, Olly pairs delicious red wines to James Martin’s luscious Easter lamb dishes.
One Pan Roast Lamb with Potatoes and Peppers
Olly’s wine pairing: Viña Pomal Rioja Reserva 2016 (14.5%) £12.99 or £9.99 in a Mix Six deal, Majestic
Rioja with a leg of lamb is a classic pairing, and this top-quality Reserva exudes mellow spice with velvet allure thanks to oak ageing. Sheer joy.
Lamb Loin with Charred Aubergine and Watercress
Olly’s wine pairing: M&S Found Zweigelt 2021 (13%) £8.50
This Austrian red is ripe with a light texture to match with the veggies as well as the lamb. Bright and fruity, it’s a no-brainer kitchen table red. Excellent value.
Spiced Lamb Flatbread Topped with Yoghurt and Pomegranate
Olly’s wine pairing: Xinomavro Jeunes Vignes, Thymiopoulos 2021 (13%) £12.50, thewinesociety.com
A lighter, tangy Greek red that’s a winner with spicy flatbread, this is best served slightly chilled.
Grilled Lamb Chops with Roast Squash and Salsa Verde
Olly’s wine pairing: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Valpolicella Ripasso 2019 (14%) £11 (£10 until Tuesday)
Silky and vibrant, this Italian red goes well with the salsa verde, chops and squash. Sublime.
Roast Shoulder of Lamb with Homemade Apple and Mint Jelly
Olly’s wine pairing: LFE Gran Reserva Colchagua Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (14%) £10,Tesco
Boasting all the stunning richness and fruitiness of a blackcurrant the size of the sun, this firm, bold Chilean red has the depth required to partner slow-roast lamb. It also goes wonderfully with a cheeseboard afterwards.
Slow Roast Lamb with Chimichurri Sauce and Croutons
Olly’s wine pairing: James Martin Syrah 2019 (14%) £17, vinohero.co.uk
Chimichurri needs a full-throttle bottle, and James’s very own syrah has maximum revs thanks to the combination of spicy grapes and sunny Languedoc ripeness.
