This year, Hubby and I are headed out to Easter brunch with his family. While this means I don’t have to worry about what wine to bring to his mother’s house for the holiday, it does mean that I’ve already started scoping out the restaurant’s wine list. Figuring out what can pair with a raw oyster bar, pastries, omelets, a carving station full of ham and lamb, and a hot dishes like gravy and biscuits can be as much of a challenge as figuring out wine for Easter dinner. Whether you’re headed out or having people over, here are 5 wines that should help make Easter brunch a success.

The Gruet Blanc de Noirs tastes of berries, baked pears and hints of toast, cream, and vanilla. It’s the perfect brunch bubbly, as the bright acidity will help keep the meal fresh tasting, and it will pair nicely with almost everything on the table. Not to mention that all of the Gruet sparkling wines are very affordable, so you if you rather mix this sparkler with some juice to make a mimosa or bellini, you can do so without any guilt. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $13.

The Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Crémant d’Alsace is pink bubbly that is packed with flavor–cranberries, strawberries, and pomegranates mixed with hints of oranges and a soft, creaminess. It’s not sparkler I would mix with juice, but rather enjoy it’s bright acidity, light body, and fun bubbles on its own. While it also would go well with almost everything on the table, I think would be particularly fantastic with eggs benedict or with some ham. I gave this wine 4 corks, and while I received it as a sample, it has an SRP of $19.

The Fattoria Moretto Lambrusco is a bright, dark red color with fizzy bubbles and just a touch of fruity sweetness. The wine is full of cranberry, strawberry, and blackberry flavors mixed with some rose petals and thyme. I did a Lambrusco tasting at the end of January for my coworkers (which I will write about in the next couple of weeks), and out of the 6 wines we tasted, the Fattoia Moretto tied with the Riunite Lambrusco as the favorite. I gave this wine 4.5 corks and purchased it for $25.

The Bodegas Ruberte Tresor Garnacha screams spring with its red berry flavors, a touch of white pepper, and its medium body. It’s a wine that would pair nicely with a chorizo and cheese omelet or some sliced ham. Just be warned that even though this wine doesn’t taste like it has a lot of alcohol, it can definitely pack a punch. I gave this wine 3.5 corks and received it as a sample, but it has an SRP of $10, which is an amazing quality/price ratio.

The Coppola Winery Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon is a bigger, bolder wine that is full of cherries and blackberries mixed with vanilla, licorice, hints of something floral. It’s not so much a fun, flirty sipper like the other wines on this list, but rather a wine that is more substantial as you drink, eat, and talk away the morning. When I reviewed the wine, I actually paired it with very cheesy eggs, which were made with an applewood smoked cheddar, and bacon, so I say with confidence that if you’re going planning on eating the heftier, smokier brunch items, this wine will be the perfect choice. I gave the Coppola Director’s Cut Cab 4.5 corks and received it as a sample, but it has an SRP of $24.

Question of the Day: Have you picked out the wines for your Easter meal yet?  What are you planning on opening?