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Wine of the Week: Wines for your Easter basket

This Feb. 1, 2016 photo shows glazed ham in Concord, N.H.  A better way to glaze your ham, try a dry spice rub that caramelizes into a rich sweet and spicy glaze. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
Easter ham can be rich and salty, so a nice, delicately sweet riesling would be a great match, but it requires enough acidity to cut through the fat of the ham while providing a counterpoint to the saltiness at the same time. My recommendation is the 2014 Chateau St. Michelle Riesling Eroica from the Columbia Valley in Washington State. It displays kumquat and white floral characters on the nose and bright, zesty flavors of melon, peach and lemon/lime notes in the mouth. The crisp acidity keeps the pitch-perfect sweetness in check, as well as cleansing the palate after each sip. $18 Photo: AP/Matthew Mead (AP/Matthew Mead)
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This Feb. 1, 2016 photo shows glazed ham in Concord, N.H.  A better way to glaze your ham, try a dry spice rub that caramelizes into a rich sweet and spicy glaze. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
Ham steaks are a quick and versatile way to get a ham dinner on the plate. These maple ham steaks with roasted potatoes and green beans require very little prep and are an elegant choice for your Easter meal. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)
Tables are booking fast for Thanksgiving dinner in D.C.-area restaurants, said Missy Frederick of Eater D.C.   (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
This July 27, 2015, photo, shows lamb chops with warm Caesar salad in Concord, N.H. This recipe is a template for topping sauteed steaks or chops of most any kind with a wilted salad, a splendid dish for a late summer dinner. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

WASHINGTON — Easter Sunday is usually a day that begins with an egg hunt for the kids and ends with a wine hunt for the adults. Searching for the right wine to serve with Easter dinner can make you as crazy as forgetting where you hid the last Easter egg — until the smell reminds you a week or so later.

It seems like every family has its own main course tradition, ranging from ham to turkey to spring lamb. And with all of the side dishes competing for space on the plate, making room on the palate can be a challenge.

Versatility is the name of the game this Easter. Start with picking out a wine that will play well with your main course and then refine your selection based on a few key side dishes. For example, if you plan on having ham, consider a wine that will support the richness of the meat while counter-balancing the saltiness. Or if turkey is the centerpiece of your holiday table, grab a bottle that will liven up the mild flavors of the bird. These are a few wines I plan on putting in my basket when I hop over to dinner this Sunday.

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