Best Canadian Wines to Serve with Ham for Easter Dinner

Excellent Pairings for Common Easter Dishes

Should you pick a Riesling or Ortega white wine for your table? It all depends on what dishes you’ll be serving, how it’s prepared, and your preferences. 

Ham

Proper pairing begins by considering the flavor profile of the dish. For example, ham has delicate flavours and is nearly always salty and savory. Some chefs prepare ham with sweeter flavours to balance the inherent saltiness, such as honey, pineapples, cloves, or brown sugar. 

So, what’s the best wine to pair with ham? An ideal pairing is a light, fruity, and subtly sweet wine. Options can range from white wines to rosé, and even low-tannin reds can work. Some excellent options are:

• Riesling: We can’t say enough about Riesling’s versatility. It generally has a touch of sweetness and is often fruity, making it a great wine with ham dishes. A bonus of Riesling is that it will likely pair well with other dishes on the table due to its unique flavour profile. At under $16, it is one of the more affordable bottles of white wine.
• Gewurztraminer: Gewurztraminer wine might be more to your liking to bring out the savoriness of the ham. Much like Riesling, it’s also a sweeter white wine. But its unique floral elements can complement ham, potatoes and spring vegetables. 
• Rosé: Consider a sparkling rosé to add some excitement to the meal. No rule says sparkling wines can only be served with desserts. Make it your Easter ham pairing and have a unique experience. 

Notice how we didn’t suggest any reds? Reds' high acidity and tannin content typically don’t work well as a wine pairing with ham. However, it’s perfectly fine to explore the world of reds if you prefer them over lighter wines; just aim for low tannin wines.

Rack of Lamb

Ham is the typical main course, but a rack of lamb might grace your table. Red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon can really shine with roast lamb. If you're looking for a solid white wine, Gewurztraminer is an excellent choice to bring out the savouriness of lamb. 

Deviled Eggs

Eggs, in general, are considered difficult to pair but not impossible. Deviled eggs work well with a high-acid bubbly wine. If the yolks are extra creamy, pick a fruity wine. Consider Riesling BC or a bubbly rosé that can work well with deviled eggs.

Mashed Potatoes 

Potato dishes are commonly found on Easter dinner tables. Mashed potatoes or au gratin potatoes are pretty standard, so what wine should you use? Siegerrebe full body could go well with potato dishes, especially mashed potatoes. 

Keep the type of gravy in mind, however. Dark gravies will dramatically change the flavour profile, and then the side might work better with reds. 



Pea and Pecorino Salad

Every feast needs some type of salad. Pea and pecorino salad is a great Easter dish, but the pecorino can make pairing a challenge. 

Aim for mineral-driven wines to accentuate the pecorino while still letting the peas shine through. A nice Chardonnay has aromas of citrus or yellow apple with just enough mineral dust to work wonderfully with pea and pecorino salad.

Have a Memorable Easter Dinner with Perfect Wine Pairings

You now know the best wine with ham pairing, as well as other Easter dishes beloved by Canadians across the country. 

The only question that remains is how many types of wines will you serve? A versatile Riesling made in a cool climate will work with most dishes, but having a rose or red on hand will give guests more options. 

Explore Larch Hills Winery’s diverse wine store to pick out your favourites and prepare your feast.