The Easter Cellar: Five Luxury Wines to Elevate the Feast

Easter is one of my favourite moments in the wine calendar. The menus are generous, the pace a little slower, and the table often stretches from lunch into the evening. From celebratory bubbles to reds worthy of roast lamb and long conversations, these are bottles that rise to the occasion.

Taittinger Nocturne NV

RRP £45 | Waitrose, Tesco, Laithwaites, Hedonism, Amps Wine Merchants

For those who like to finish Easter on a high note, Taittinger Nocturne is a Champagne that really comes into its own after dinner. This is a Sec-style Champagne, meaning it carries a little more sweetness than the classic Brut, yet is still beautifully balanced and refined.

Taittinger is one of Champagne’s great family houses, renowned for its elegance and its high proportion of Chardonnay across its wines. The vineyards are meticulously overseen by Vincent Collard and Christelle Rinvelle, ensuring consistency across more than 30 crus that contribute to this blend. Nocturne itself is made from around 40% Chardonnay, with the remainder Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and spends at least four years ageing on its lees before release — longer than many non‑vintage Champagnes.

In the glass, it’s pale gold with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose is gentle and inviting, offering white blossom, ripe orchard fruit and hints of yellow peach and dried apricot. On the palate, the mousse is soft and creamy, with mellow fruit flavours and a subtle, well‑judged sweetness that carries through to a long, silky finish.

Food matching Champagne can be tricky at the sweeter end of the spectrum, but Nocturne shines where others struggle. It works beautifully with desserts, particularly fruit‑based tarts, and even manages the notoriously difficult pairing with chocolate. I also love it with toasted hot cross buns, generously buttered, or as a decadent match for foie gras. 

Cune Gran Reserva Rioja 2018 

RRP £20 | Majestic

If Easter Sunday calls for roast lamb, this is the bottle I’d reach for. Cune (or C.V.N.E.) is one of Rioja’s historic producers, with deep roots in Rioja Alta, and a reputation built on longevity, balance and respect for tradition.

The 2018 vintage was shaped by a classic Rioja growing season — cold, wet winter conditions followed by a warm but measured summer, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and retain freshness. The wine is predominantly Tempranillo (85%), supported by Graciano and Mazuelo, sourced from bush vines over 45 years old. After fermentation, it spends two years in barrel and a further three years in bottle, developing complexity without losing poise.

In the glass, it shows a deep garnet hue with brick‑red highlights. Aromatically, there’s a lovely interplay between ripe black fruit and savoury barrel notes — vanilla, toffee and tobacco leaf. The palate is smooth and composed, with polished tannins, a supple texture and a lingering finish edged with balsamic freshness and dark fruit.

This is a Gran Reserva that feels reassuringly classical yet far from old‑fashioned. Perfect with roast lamb, it also pairs effortlessly with Mediterranean dishes, slow‑cooked meats or even a simple plate of charcuterie and Manchego.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir ‘Couvent des Jacobins’ 2023 – Louis Jadot

RRP £21 | Sainsbury’s, Fenwick, Taurus Wines, Whole Foods

For something lighter but no less characterful, Louis Jadot’s Bourgogne Pinot Noir is a perennial favourite. Jadot is one of Burgundy’s most respected names, and this wine draws fruit from across the region — including the Côte d’Or, Mercurey, Buxy and Irancy — giving it both breadth and balance.

Fermentation takes place over around two weeks, with individual parcels handled according to their origin before blending. Part of the wine is aged in oak, with the rest kept in tank, spending between nine and sixteen months maturing before bottling. The result is a Pinot Noir that over‑delivers at this level.

Bright and expressive, it offers ripe red berry fruit with subtle spice from its time in oak. The palate is supple and juicy, with enough structure to feel serious, but plenty of freshness to keep it eminently drinkable.

This is a versatile Easter wine — ideal with pâté, roasted vegetable tarts, herb‑roasted chicken, or a choice of hard cheeses. A great choice for those who prefer elegance over power.

For hosts looking to bring a touch of northern Italian warmth to the Easter table, Pasqua Wines offers two compelling expressions of Valpolicella Superiore — one fresh and convivial, the other deep and contemplative.

Mizzole Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2019

£21.50 | Corney & Barrow

Part of Pasqua’s Cecilia Beretta range, Mizzole is a vibrant, approachable red made primarily from Corvina, with Corvinone, Rondinella and a dash of Oseleta. Fermented at controlled temperatures and aged for around nine months in oak, it balances freshness with gentle structure.

Expect bright red fruit — cherries, currants and a touch of blueberry — lifted by a subtle spice on the finish. Light on its feet but full of charm, it’s a natural partner for herb‑roasted lamb, spring vegetable dishes, grilled meats, or informal sharing boards piled high with cheese and cured meats.

Mai Dire Mai Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2015

£53 | Harrods

At the other end of the spectrum sits Mai Dire Mai — an iconic wine born from the Pasqua family’s long experience and the singular terroir of the Montevegro vineyard, perched at 350 metres between Val d’Illasi and Val di Mezzane. The basalt and limestone soils lend mineral depth, while 18 months in French oak builds complexity and finesse.

This is a richly layered wine, opening with aromas of tobacco, cedar and balsamic notes, before unfolding flavours of morello cherry, clove and coffee. The tannins are smooth and refined, and the finish long, savoury and spiced.

A superb choice for slow‑roasted meats, rich pasta dishes or aged cheeses, Mai Dire Mai is a true centrepiece wine — ideal for marking a special Easter gathering.

Whether you’re raising a glass to the start of spring or lingering over the last crumbs of chocolate, these wines are all about enjoyment, generosity and sharing — exactly what Easter should be.