Easter dinner wines

[lnordy]

Hi folks,

I am looking for some feedback from my wine savy cyber friends on wine selection for Easter!

I am hosting a dinner for 12. My multi cultured guests are bringing an array of appetizers: spanish potato/egg dish, thai beef cucumber dish, and other unknowns

I am making dinner, including:
roasted beet & carrot salad with walnut oil vinagrette and goat cheese,
lemon roasted green beans with Marconi Almonds,
potato and fennel gratin,
bone-in loin lamb chops with mustard buerre blanc,
coconut cupcakes and lemon pound cake triffle

REALLY confused over wine selections. I'm just not that savy! I'd like to have something sparkling for the appetizers. Then something with dinner. I was thinking something Spanish as a nod to one of my guests, but I couldn't tell you a thing about Spanish wines. I am truly open to anything...

My price range is $20-$40 Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Signed, neophyte

[Brad Ballinger]

You can easilly do an all-Spanish wine pairing. Your toughest challenge will be sparkling. Depending on where you live, there may not be that many good Spanish Cava options.

Is $20-$40 a per bottle budget, or a total budget? And how many people will there be?

Whites (all less than $20): Basa Rueda, Pazo de Senorans Albarino or Ameztoi Txakolina

Reds (all in your price range): Finca Valpiedra Rioja, Palacios "Les Terasses" Priorat, or Remelluri Rioja.

[lnordy]

Brad,

Thanks for the suggestions. I am in Tustin CA, and we have Total Wine and Bev Mo in close proximity, so selection shouldn't be a problem.

I meant $20-$40 per bottle. Thanks for the catch.

[whiner]

fyi: my comment on "domaine carners" obviously I meant "domaine carneros" ;-) BevMo used to sell the Heidsieck for $30...

[whiner]

Sparkling, I'd go Champage... the basic Perrier0Jouet and, even better, the Charles Heisieck are both nice and in your price range. Or you could go lower and the basic Domaine Carners or Argyle.

I would strongly consider an Austrian Riesling as it pairs well with so much you are serving.

For red, a nice Rioja could work (Spanish) but for me, I'd go for a Barbera, a high end Chianti or Rosso di Montalcino, or a Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape. Actually, a really high end (eg. Thevenet) cru Beaujolais (eg. Morgon, St. Amour, Moulin-a-Vent) might work well, too.

[lnordy]

Thanks Whiner. Sound like some good suggestions that I wouldn't have considered on my own. I'm stuck in the California wine rut. Not that there's anything wrong with it! Just that's all I'm familiar with here in Southern California and needed some encouragement.
I've printed out your suggestions and will use for my shopping excursion.