Your Guide to the Best Wine for Easter

Wine, like food, is all about personal taste – but clever pairings can help bring out the best of what’s in your glass and on your plate. Take a crisp Sauvignon Blanc: its notes of apple, pear and lemon can help intensify the freshness of herbs and the sweetness of white meats.

When it comes to pairing wines for Easter, start by thinking about your menu and who you’re serving. Looking for inspiration? Keep reading for M&S Senior Wine Buyer Joseph's top picks.

There are plenty of wonderful red wines to pair with your Easter dishes. We’ve got fantastic red wine pairings for your roast lamb below, but any of the below will work well for sipping across the long weekend. Read our beginner's guide to red wine for even more ideas.

• Serving vegetarians? Try our Classics Chianti. This aromatic Italian wine has balanced tannins and acidity that complement umami-rich dishes.

• After a great all-rounder? Rioja is the answer. Our Classics Rioja is a natural match to roast lamb.

• Want something a bit show-stopping? Choose Cabernet Sauvignon. Bold and generous with red fruits, it’s a brilliant partner to stews or risotto.

• Fancy something a little lighter? Bring Beaujolais to the table. Delicate with a hint of spice, it keeps things interesting and pairs well with chicken or veggie dishes.

A roast lamb joint is a quintessential part of Easter celebrations. This sweet meat lends itself to red wine pairings, with opportunities to experiment with woody and spice-led grape combinations. Our pick must be the M&S Classics Rioja, thanks to its bold, punchy profile. The wine is aged in French and American oak barrels for 24 months, giving it notes of tobacco and vanilla with a smooth, elegant finish.

Wine isn’t for everyone, and a make-your-own cocktail station is a fun way to get those non-wine drinkers involved. Alongside your favourite whiskey, rum and vodka, stock your shelf with our 16 Acres Berry Gin to whip up an instant Bramble – add tonic and finish with a berry of your choice – or keep things classic with our Collection Small Batch Old Tom gin. With a hint of citrus and herbaceous botanicals, this limited-edition spirit only needs a splash of tonic to bring it to life.

We’ve got even more Easter cocktail ideas in our roundup, with guidance on everything from table setting ideas to the best picky bits to serve with your creations.