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Easter Brunch wine for a crowd

I am looking for recommendations for what will go with baked ham, smoked salmon, asparagus, a spicy potato egg and cheese dish, and a couple of salads. I was hoping to buy two wines in the $12-17 range. I was thinking of possibly a reisling, sparkling or a rose. Any specific recommendations will be greatly appreciated. I am on the east coast in the US. Thanks for any help.

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  1. I'm also thinking an aromatic white like Alsatian gewurtzaminer (Trimbach or Hugel) and a Cremant rose (Louis Boillot, Jean Louis Denois).

    1. We are talking smoked salmon, baked ham, asparagus and spicy cheese potatoes and eggs - I really need help here! And that's before the desserts. Any other specific suggestions?

      1. I tend to go with lower alcohol wines at brunch. A nice 2008 Portuguese Vinho Verde or 2007 German Riesling (Kabinett or Spatlese) should pair well with the dishes your serving. For dessert a lively Moscato d'Asti from the 2008 or 2009 vintage would be fun.

        All are within your prcie range.

        1. Barefoot (California) sparkling. There are two... taste them both and pick the one you like the best. In Canada they are only $15 each so they must be super cheap in the states.

          I would definitely do a sparkling white with brunch. Much lighter in alcohol and some of them are very good.

          3 Replies
          1. re: julesincoq

            second julesincoq on this.
            california sparkling wines
            Portuguese vinho verdes

            imho, the name of the game at such gatherings is not to offend anyone's palate:
            this normally means wines that are not sweet, not buttery, and not big.
            to me, this is not the time to strive for an exquisite pairing that only the most sophisticated drinkers would understand; this IS the time to serve an EASY, wine that is flexible and compromising.


            1. re: westsidegal

              And it is a brunch after all not a late lunch, so keep it light. You might even want to make a batch of mimosas


          2. MacArthur Beverages in Washington, D.C., has Morodee Rose. Yum, although it's $18 a bottle.
            They also have the 2008 Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr on sale for $18 and a Selbach Spatlese on sale for about the same price along with some Letiz riesling in the range that is not on sale.

            Edit: They have a Strub in your price range as well.