Hoppy Easter! Eggcelent Candy + Wine Pairings

Although we all grow older and don't necessarily get Easter baskets or hunt for eggs, one of the cherished traditions of the Easter holiday is the candy.  We've paired seven quintessential Easter candies with seven wines to sweeten your holiday weekend.

The sweetness of the bubbly champagne stands up to the sweet marshmallow treats. We love Champagne Delamotte Brut. Easter is a celebration, after all, so you can never go wrong with champagne. 

What is more Easter than a chocolate bunny? And what is more of a dessert wine than port? Try a dark chocolate bunny with Warre's Otima 10-year-old Tawny Port

Keep this pairing in mind year round, after all, a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg is just a regular Reese's Cup in festive form. Try it with a Cabernet Sauvignon like Boekenhoutskloof. Robust, the savory notes of the Cabernet Sauvignon pick up the salty notes of the peanut butter quite well.

This sweet treat might be the quintessential Easter candy. From the shape to the tradition, when you see one of these eggs you know Easter is here. Uber sweet, Cadbury Creme Eggs pair well with a Gradis'ciutta Chardonnay. The oaky-ness of the wine compliments the creaminess of the egg filling. 

A part from the fact we just really love sparkling wines, turns out they pair well with a variety of savory and sweet treats. A sparkling wine like Alma Negra Nature Brut doesn't compete with the sweet and tart flavors of the candy. 

Jellybeans are tricky to pair wine with, with so many different flavors in just one handful. So lean into the sweetness and choose and equally sweet Moscato. We love an easy drinking Moscato like Bulletin Place.

Similar to sparkling wines, when in doubt, choose Rosé. The slightly sweet but acidic Miraval goes hand-in-hand with the crunch of the malted milk and sweetness of the chocolate. 

Love is a Battlefield, Win the Warre's

We love to think pink around here. Rosé all day are words to live by. And while you can't go wrong with a beautiful bottle of Miraval Rosé this Valentines Day, if you're looking to try something a little different, try a port cocktail. 

Now if you're unfamiliar with Port, Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine, but it also comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties

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Port on its own pairs beautifully with chocolate- try it with s'mores by the fire or that heart-shaped box of truffles, some fudge brownies or an adult affogato (pour a healthy dose of port over your favorite quality vanilla gelato or ice cream). 

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If you're looking for something a little more dramatic this Valentine's (or Singles Awareness or belated Galentine's) Day, try one of our favorite port cocktails below. 

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Founded in 1670, Warre & Co. is the oldest and one of the most highly esteemed port shipping firms in the world. William Warre joined as partner in 1729, and the company became known as Warre.  The Warre fam­ily worked in the wine trade at Oporto for over 200 years. Andrew James Symington, great-grand­father of the current managing director of Warre’s, sailed to Portugal in 1863. After establishing himself as a well-known merchant in the port trade, he became associated with Warre’s in 1905. In 1912 the Warre family chose to return to England where they would look after sales, while the Symingtons managed operations in Portugal. Today James Symington is the director of Warre & Co. Ltd. 

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Warre's Port: Saúde!

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Produced exclusively in the Duoro Valley of Portugal, Port is a fortified wine with a history reaching back to the times of the Roman Empire. The wine producing Duoro region is the third oldest protected wine region in the world. 

Warre's Port, like the wine it makes, has an extensive history. The firm that became what we know as Warre's was established in 1670 as a trading company, exporting wines, olive oil and fruit, and importing dried cod and English woolen goods. Over time the company grew and evolved. By the close of the 18th century, Warre's had become one of the leading companies exporting port. 

The Warre family, for whom the company is named, arrived in Portugal in 1729 when the first Warre joined the trading company. This William Warre was born in India where his parents and grandparents were members to the East India Company. The second William Warre made immense contributions, serving as a member of His Majesty's Consul. The third William Warre is known not only as an important figure in port, but in British and Portuguese military history. He was invaluable in the fight against Napoleon Bonaparte and his invading armies and in the recovery of Portugal's independence. Not to mention, this third William Warre supplied the Duke of Wellington with Port from Warre's. 

Today, the Symington Family (whose own history and involvement in Port spans over 350 years and 13 generations), are owners and managers of Warre's Port. Currently six members of the Symington Family are actively involved in Warre's day to day management. The family is part of the exclusive Primum Family Vini- a group of eleven leading wine families in the world (whose membership includes another member of the Vineyard Brands family, the Perrins).

Port has a rich, luscious style, with considerable aging potential. The fermentation of Port is suprisingly short- only about two days- as it is a fortified wine and a natural grape spirit is added to the fermenting juice. Warre's Vintage Ports are known for their elegance and finesse, intense red fruit flavors and floral violet and "esteva" aromas. 

“Warre’s remains one of the gems of Vintage Port and the Symingtons are continuously polishing it.”

— James Suckling, Vintage Port

Warre's Port has certainly come a long way from its days as a trading company. Today the company makes a variety of excellent Ports. Port, too, has come a long way over the years. Today it is a popular drink and can even be used in cocktails. 

White Port: Produced from white grape varieties, aged for an average of three years. Fresh and invigorating, an excellent aperitif. In summer, it may be served over ice.

Ruby: A robust, young, fruity port aged an average of three years in wood.

King's Tawny: An elegant, mellow tawny aged three years in casks.

Warrior: Vintage character port is oldest brand port in the world. It is a blend of top quality ports matured in wood for six years then bottled.

Otima 10-YearTawny Port: An outstanding 10Year OldTawny Port with a light delicate palate. Aged all of its life in wooden casks, it has a nose of dried fruits and walnuts, and flavors of nuts highlighted by mature fruit: well-balanced and with a long, fresh finish. Needs no decanting and can be served slightly chilled as an accompaniment to cheese, nuts or dried fruit after a meal.

20 Years Old Tawny Port: Cask-aged for 20 years, this tawny port has the classic hallmarks of Old Tawny, namely delicous soft raisiny fruit, a glorious nutty bouquet, superb balance and a long, lingering finish.

Otima 20-Year Tawny Port: This more modern style of tawny port epitomizes everything that is great about a superbly balanced Twenty Year Old Tawny; the translucent copper-colored tone of the wine is matched by the beautiful soft nutty aromas gained by a full twenty years aging in seasoned oak casks. Otima20 is rich and delicate, but never cloying, the tannins and acidity ensure balance and perfect length.

Late-Bottled Vintage Port: Selected casks from a particularly good vintage, but bottled four years after the vintage rather than two years. Warre’s produces a traditional LBV which is neither fined nor filtered. The result is a wine that has true vintage character but because of the extra barrel age is sooner ready to drink.

Quinta da Cavadinha: Vintage port from the 35 hectare “quinta” or vineyard of this name owned by Warre’s. “Cavadinha” means “well tilled” or “well nurtured”, and this property is one of the nest in the Alto Douro. This single quinta wine is vinified, matured and bottled separately. In vintage years, it forms a substantial part of the Warre’s vintage blend. The 1978 was the first unblended vintage from Quinta da Cavadinha.

Vintage Port: In outstanding years, port shippers declared a “vintage”. The best casks are selected and after eighteen months, the wines are blended and bottled. The wines are not ned or ltered and with bottle age will throw a sediment, hence the name “Crusted Port”. In recent years, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been declared “vintage”.

Port Cocktails

Port is a fortified wine, produced in the mountainous eastern reaches of the Douro Valley of Portugal. Arguably the most famous fortified wine with a rich history, Port is experiencing something of a resurgence.

Curious about port? Maybe a little hesitant to try it? Try a port cocktail! We’ve rounded up a few recipes that are perfect for port first timers and those well-versed in the wine.

With all of these recipes, we highly recommend Warre's Ports. Founded in 1670, Warre & Co. is the oldest and one of the most highly esteemed port shipping firms in the world.

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PORT OF CALL
The Clover Club in New York City makes a delicious cocktail combining the bright, acidic notes of cranberry and lemon with the rich, warm flavors of port and cinnamon. Perfect for the upcoming season, this cocktail has all the holiday flavors you know and love with a unique twist.
Ingredients:
1 oz gin
1 oz Ruby Port
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz cinnamon syrup (can be made by simmering some simple syrup with cinnamon sticks or bark)
1 spoonful of cranberry preserves
Instructions:
Shake and strain into a glass over crushed ice and garnish with a blackberry, a raspberry, and a mint sprig.

Recipe & Photo: GQ Magazine

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MANHATTAN
Port can also be used in some of your favorite, best-known cocktails, like a Manhattan. Use tawny port instead of sweet vermouth and orange bitters rather than Angostura and you have a fantastic seasonal cocktail- no pumpkin spice in sight.
Ingredients:
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce port
2 dashes orange bitters
Instructions: 
Stir all ingredients with cracked ice until cold.  Strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange twist.

Image: Port Cocktails, Recipe: Cocktail Enthusiast

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WHITE PORT & TONIC
Gin and tonics are a perennial favorite, but if you're looking for a new classic, try a white port and tonic. Popular in Portugal, white port adds a different flavor that pairs nicely with either a lemon or lime twist. 
Ingredients: 
1 ½ ounces white port
3 ounces tonic water
Wedge of lime or lemon
Instructions:
Fill a tumbler with ice. Add white port and top with tonic. Stir briefly. Depending on your taste, squeeze a wedge of either lime or lemon over the drink and drop into the glass

Photo & Recipe: New York Times Cooking

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THE ROBERT FROST COCKTAIL
Created for one of the Obamas' White House holiday parties, this aromatic cocktail also uses white port.
Ingredients:
3/4 ounce bourbon
3/4 ounce dry amontillado sherry
3/4 ounce white port
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 dash orange bitters
Instructions:
1.    Combine ingredients and shake with ice.
2.   Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
3.   Garnish with thinly sliced orange and lemon wheels.

Photo: OhSoBeautifulPaper Recipe: Punch Drink

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Do you have any favorite port cocktails? Have you tried any of the above? Let us know!

Week in Review: June 19