What Wine Goes Well with an Easter Ham?

Easter is here and I just sat down to read what I wrote about for Christmas. Oh, how time flies when you are drinking and writing about wine. Even though it is spring I am not ready to uncork the dark Cabs just yet.

Being a day to celebrate with that perennial favorite the “Ham,” I ask what wine goes well with ham?

I turn back to my friend and wine a maker Anthony Riboli of the San Antonio winery of DTLA.

Anthony suggests a Chardonnay.

As I’ve referenced in numerous articles, the Chardonnay grape has become a symbol of California wine. The delicate grape is used in many sparkling and non-sparkling wines we’ve grown to love.

My pick (with Anthony’s help) for Easter is the San Simeon 2013 Chardonnay. This variety of wine boasts a selection of distinctive grapes from the fog-rich climate of Monterey and this wine is slowly brought to market in a unique barrel maturing process. This is a splendid wine for and Easter pairings — are you an impartial Chardonnay fan?

The San Simeon selection has fruit, a perfume of oak and a well-balanced finish. I would say that this wine has GPTA (great potential to age). It’s a Chardonnay, so don’t let is sit too long. My recommended Easter pairing no matter what your entrée is !

Dills Score
Each week I will give you my Dills Score. I have added points for value. I’m starting with a base of 50 points; I added 8 points for color, 8 points for aroma or “nose”, 7 points for taste, 8 points for finish, and 8 points for my overall impression, which includes my value rating.

Total Score 90

Retails for $18.00; on sale for ~$14 at area markets
Sideways Note: San Antonio does offer tours of their downtown LA winery. Call (323) 223-1401 for more information on schedules. The winery is located at 737 Lamar St. in Los Angeles

“Dining with Dills” the Radio Show airs each and every Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. on Angeles Radio Station KLAA AM 830. You can get ahold of Peter through his website www.peterdills.com where you will find past articles and pictures from his culinary adventures.