Five Easter Releases Worth Picking Up

There's something special about the first proper spring visit to Vinmonopolet. You walk in with a vague idea that you might need something for the Easter table, and end up standing in front of the chilled display for fifteen minutes because everything looks so tempting. I know the feeling.

Every year at Easter, new releases come flooding in – some are seasonal regulars we look forward to, others are fresh discoveries that deserve more attention than they usually get. This list is for you if you don't want to spend your Easter holiday doing research, but still want something interesting in your glass.

Here are five bottles – spread across categories and price points – that I think are worth picking up this Easter.

Let's start with a rosé that doesn't try to be something it's not. Marqués de Nombrevilla Rosado 2024 comes from Aragón in Spain – a region that still flies a little under the radar compared to the big rosé names from Provence. That's actually a shame, because there's a lot to discover here.

The grapes are Garnacha, and you can tell. You get a glass with depth: fresh red berries, hints of pomegranate and a touch of herbs that's reminiscent of sun-warmed stony ground. Not the pale, neutral type of rosé that mostly tastes like coloured water – this one has something to say. Perfect as an aperitif with salty snacks, or with a simple Easter dinner of fish or chicken.

The story of Norwegian craft beer is actually quite young. Just fifteen years ago, the domestic selection was sparse, and most of the exciting stuff came from abroad. Today the situation has been turned on its head – Norwegian breweries are producing beer that competes with the best in Europe.

Oslo Brewing Påskesol NEIPA is a limited seasonal release that lives up to its name. NEIPA – New England IPA – is the style that became the great beer revolution in the early 2010s, known for its soft, unfiltered character and explosive tropical fruitiness. Påskesol is exactly that: thick, bright and full of mango, peach and a sunny bitterness that never turns harsh at the edges.

6 percent alcohol, and a bottle of just 33 cl that makes it a nice little treat alongside the evening snacks at the cabin. Try it with nuts, crisps, or simply on its own while you enjoy the evening sun.

If you like the concept of orange wine but find most of them a bit too assertive, Garganuda Madre is a fantastic place to start. This Italian white wine is made from the Garganega grape – the same one used in Soave – and has had skin contact during production. That gives it a slightly copper-toned hue and a texture that stands clearly apart from an ordinary white wine.

Think flavours of yellow apple, honeydew melon and dried apricot, with a nutty undertone that's a little reminiscent of a lighter sherry. The acidity is fresh enough to keep everything in balance, and the aftertaste is long and pleasant. It pairs surprisingly well with egg-based dishes – which is quite relevant at Easter, if you think about everything from scrambled eggs in the morning to béarnaise in the evening.

11 percent alcohol makes it easy to drink over time, and it can sit out for a while without going flat.

Kinn Bryggeri from Florø is one of the Norwegian breweries that has truly found its voice. They draw inspiration from European classics, but execute it with a West Coast reliability that's a little hard to put your finger on – you just feel it.

Kinn Påskeøl is a Munich-inspired lager in the Bavarian style, but with a little more body than you might expect. Malt and light caramel on the nose, a round and soft flavour with hints of nuts and bread crust, and a clean, dry finish. It's Easter beer the way Easter beer should taste – no surprises, just good craftsmanship. The 75 cl bottle makes it a great shared glass around the cabin table.

Try it with sausages on the grill, nuts and cheese, or simply on its own while the sun warms your face on the veranda.

A list of Easter releases without a Riesling from Mosel would not be complete – it's a bit like Easter without the colour yellow. And Maximin Grünhaus Maximin Riesling 2024 is one of the more elegant newcomers this year.

Maximin Grünhaus is one of the iconic estates along the Rüwer – a tributary of the Mosel – and has been producing Riesling for centuries. The 2024 vintage arrives with lovely freshness: green apples, lemon, white peach and the characteristic mineral coolness that Mosel enthusiasts have come to describe as slate. It sounds fancy, but it really just means the wine has a purity and a hint of tension in the aftertaste that makes you take another sip.

11 percent alcohol makes it a great everyday wine that doesn't require a special occasion, but it's particularly happy alongside grilled vegetables, fish, or Asian-inspired food with a touch of acidity.

Easter is actually the perfect opportunity to try something new – you have time, you have people around you, and the pressure to impress is a little lower than at Christmas. Use it. Buy a bottle you haven't tried, open it in the middle of the day with a piece of cheese, and see what you think.

Here are the five again:

Marqués de Nombrevilla Rosado 2024 – Spanish rosé with depth, perfect as an aperitif, with fish or chicken.

Oslo Brewing Påskesol NEIPA – Norwegian craft beer with tropical fruitiness, great with snacks and cabin cosiness.

Garganuda Madre – Italian orange wine with texture, pairs surprisingly well with eggs and béarnaise.

Kinn Påskeøl – West Coast lager in a large bottle, classic and reliable with grilled food and sausages.

Maximin Grünhaus Maximin Riesling 2024 – elegant Mosel Riesling with mineral freshness, great with fish and vegetables.

That's what wine is all about, when it comes down to it.