Easter is a holiday that celebrates much in the Christian religions but also much about the time of year representing for many of us the start of spring.

Gatherings of family and friends span religious denominations as well as the type of gathering from Easter Sunday brunch to more elaborate dinners served in the afternoon and evening. For each of these events there are many wine choices- white, red, sparkling and pink. Each hold a place and a pairing that will be perfect for your gathering. Here are some of our favorites to pair with this wonderful spring holiday...

For Easter Sunday brunch we always think along the lines of something a bit lighter, we like wines that are crisp and zippy and perhaps even a bit lower in alcohol to go along with a meal earlier in the day. Prosecco sparkling wine from Italy is the perfect choice in that category. Its crisp acidity makes it the perfect pair for many foods, too. We love the NV Rive Della Chiesa loaded with apple and citrus flavors, light effervescence and nice texture. The wine is also priced well for a crowd at $15.

If you prefer still wine, lighter Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs are always good choices with mass appeal as most are familiar with the varietals. In SB we like both the Giesen ($12) and the Mohua ($15). Both are from New Zealand. They feature nose and palate flavors focused on pink grapefruit with slight hints of the signature Gooseberry that is found in most NZ Sauvignon Blanc. Neither sees any oak barreling (as it should be) keeping the crisp acid backbone in the wine and making them perfect for many brunch foods.

If you prefer Chardonnay, we tend to focus on the more restrained ones for their food friendliness like the Domaine de Bernier from the Loire Valley in France ($12). If you prefer your Chard a bit richer, then the Three Rivers from Washington State ($15) is an excellent choice highlighting lovely pear and apple flavors. If your gathering is smaller and focused on the higher end, the 2011 Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay from Oregon is an elegant and delicious show stopper for your wine appreciating guests ($33).

Finally, one Rose choice for you: a great tasty deal the Mil Piedras Rose of Malbec from South America is a shade darker than many roses but don't let that fool you. It is fermented bone dry, shows great crispness from no oak barreling and no sugar in the wine. It will make you dream of warm summer days and the modest 13 percent alcohol makes it perfect as an early afternoon quaffer for the crowd-pleasing price of $5.

If you are hosting Easter dinner some of the most popular choices are pork, lamb and prime rib demanding a bit heartier and full-bodied reds. While you could certainly move the whites, pinks and sparklings above up to the aperitif roll, for dinner you will need some reds. The natural pairings with both pork and lamb are Syrah and other Rhone Varietals, and they grow well in the warm climes of Washington State and other western U.S. appellations. We really like the Gilbert Mourvdre from 2009. Not produced in the troubled years of 2010 and 2011 the wine is a show stopper featuring rich fruit flavors focused on cherries and berries and all of the heft to stand up to meat dishes 34.

Also good with lamb or pork is the 2010 from Austin Hope. Priced at $37 it is not inexpensive but will certainly impress all who try it and is a great choice to give all a sip with the main dinner event.

If prime rib is your choice, Cabernet is the natural go to choice. We recent tried the 2010 Saviah Jack Cabernet from friend and winemaker Richard Funk. We found the wine to be rich, lush and lovely featuring dark cherry, plum and mocha flavors and plenty of tannic structure to be a great pairing with heartier foods. Priced at $15 it is more in line with appeal to larger groups.

If you are serving meat but prefer something a bit lighter bodied the 2010 Mark West Santa Lucia Highland Pinot Noir will fit the bill with lovely vibrant fruit and light tannins, compellingly priced at $15 which in the world of Pinot Noir as we currently know it is a steal! Finally the 2011 Mona Sangiovese from Italy is a lovely very light bodied wine for those in your group who prefer a wine driven solely by fruit. It is a raspberry bomb that sees no oak and has suppressed tannins; it is just easy drinking and fun for those not impressed with the more muscular reds.

The choices go on and on, so regardless of your choice for your Easter festivities stop by the shop or ask your favorite wine professional for the wine that will be perfect not only with your meal, but will also match the mood of your party from light hearted to those that are more elegant.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo, and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene magazine www.cdamagazine.com you can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop