I hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend!  We hit both holidays with a Passover Seder on Friday night in Connecticut and hosted Sunday night Easter dinner back at home.  Did you know that most of the world celebrates Easter with a traditional lamb dish but in America ham takes center stage?  We debated the two but went with this lamb recipe and it was absolutely delicious!  Our friends brought over one of my favorite wines, the 2011 Pinot Noir from Wild Hog Vineyards, it was a perfect pairing with the lamb. 

I was first introduced to Wild Hog by these same friends back in November for Friendsgiving (also a perfect pairing wine) and was immediately hooked.  They are a small, family owned and operated winery located in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation of the Sonoma Coast.  The grapes are farmed organically and picked by hand, production is small and limited.  

The 2011 Pinot Noir was like the best version of bright, fresh, cherries on a warm summer day.  Light, bright, perfect acidity and balance, yet juicy and mouthwatering, making it an easy drinker.  There was a hint of spice and an earthiness on the palate which made for a nice balance with the herbs in the lamb.  These friends are invited back any time if they continue to share this wine with us!!