The best wines for Mother’s Day food pairings

Pair with Appetisers

If Port is Portugal's signature red, then Vinho Verde is its flagship white. It's a light, spritzy apéritif – served in practically every Lisbon restaurant and the LB7 Vinho Verde is a prime example. It is made by Calcada, the Vinho Verde experts. With a relatively low alcohol content this is a seriously thirst-quenching, drinkable wine. It’s perfect with fresh salads.                 

Deep in the Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny dedicates itself entirely to the production of white wine – all Chardonnay. If you’re a fan then the Cave des Vignerons de Buxy 'Les Millières' Montagny Premier Cru is a great option. Two thirds of the vineyards have the prestigious Premier Cru classification and ‘Les Milliers’ is one of these Premier Crus, made by Caves de Buxy. It’s fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks to preserve the really pure, ripe fruit flavours. Perfect with cold ham or prosciutto. 

Maison Louis Jadot is one of the most prestigious and well-known wineries in the Mâcon-Lugny appellation – and their wines are Majestic favourites for a reason. The Louis Jadot 'Les Bois Clairs' Mâcon-Lugny is no exception. The vineyards only produce white wines and are situated on the 'Mont du Mâconnais' where the limestone subsoils are ideal for growing Chardonnay. The grapes for this wine are harvested by hand, and then half of the blend is aged in old French oak to add a roundness to the palate and a plumpness of texture. This wine is a fantastic pairing for chicken dishes and crisp Caesar salads.                          

If you’re looking for a great pairing with a cheese plate or salad, the Famille Brocard Chablis is  especially good for the tanginess of goat's cheese. The Brocard family has been creating fantastic Chardonnay in the heart of Chablis since 1973. Today, Jean-Marc Brocard is committed to respecting the environment while creating complex, mineral and remarkably fresh wine. It certainly shows in this beautifully citrusy wine. 

Pair with fish and seafood

If you’re looking for a red that will still work well with fish, why not try the Luis Felipe Edwards Signature Series Pinot Noir. This estate laid the groundwork for what is now one of Chile’s largest wineries. Located in the coastal part of the region, the granitic soils of the nearby Cordillera de la Costa, combined with cooling sea breezes give the grapes a unique intensity. This results in wines known for their aromatic richness, vibrant acidity, and expressive fruit flavours. This Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with seared salmon.     

If you’re after a beautifully rounded Chardonnay, go for the Vasse Felix 'Filius' Chardonnay. Virginia Willcock’s interest in winemaking began in Perth, where as a teenager she assisted her father on a small vineyard. Today she is one of Australia’s most-awarded winemakers. Margaret River’s rich sunshine enriches the Chardonnay grapes with intense flavour, while the cool nights retain their crisp acidity. The resulting wine’s acidity makes it a fantastic match for seared scallops.

If you prefer your Chardonnay unoaked, we recommend the Cave de Viré Viré-Clessé. Thanks to the limestone soils in the vineyards, this is a mineral style of white Burgundy. It’s made by Viré-Clessé’s biggest producer, who played a large part in the area gaining prestigious appellation status. It’s also aged on its lees, creating a delectably rich texture. Best enjoyed with oysters and shellfish.      

Alternatively the King's Favour Sauvignon Blanc is a great pick for those that prefer a traditional Sauvignon.  Brent Marris is winemaking royalty, and he may be descended from actual royalty too. His ancestor, William de Marisco, was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of Henry I. His family spent much of the 12th and 13th centuries living a life of piracy on the Isle of Lundy. Brent created the Kings Series to celebrate his family’s history, and their relationship with the monarchy. This is a classic Waihopai Sauvignon Blanc – a dream with barbecued fish and mango salsa.

Pair with your main course

For those who love a full bodied Malbec, we recommend the Alamos Malbec. These vineyards are in the foothills of the Andes, 5,000 feet above sea level, where everything is more intense. Plentiful sunlight and cool nights here mean Malbec grapes with an abundance of delicious fruit flavour. Expect flavours of blackcurrant, ripe plum and spice. It’s a classic inky Malbec, bold enough to enjoy with a hearty steak. 

If you’re cooking with roast lamb and rosemary, our ‘Manager’s choice’ Agenda Red is a fantastic option. We asked our store managers to select a new wine to be stocked nation-wide and they picked the Agenda Red from a huge pool of contenders. It is a delightfully soft and rounded wine with loads of plum and bramble flavours, plus a touch of herbs. Judicious use of oak adds a slight spiciness to the finish. 

For many, red Rioja is a wine rack essential. But have you tried the region's whites before? They are usually made from the Viura grape, known as Macabeo outside of Rioja and the Cune Barrel Fermented Rioja Blanco is a great example. This one is made by the world-famous CVNE winery. It’s fermented and aged in oak casks, giving the wine a creamy, rich and rounded texture. Flavours of creamy citrus make this an excellent match for roast pork with sage and lemon potatoes.                

Made by fourth-generation winemakers with access to some of the finest grapes in California, the Toast & Honey Cabernet Sauvignon is always a favourite. While the region is best known for its Zinfandel, Lodi’s Mediterranean climate also produces Cabernet Sauvignon that strikes the perfect balance between freshness and juicy, expressive flavours. Toast & Honey has a deep respect for nature, with sustainable practices and a commitment to biodiversity guiding the entire operation. For the perfect pairing, enjoy this Cabernet with your favourite red meats.

Pair with a takeaway

Portuguese red blends are a Majestic speciality. We looked for a blend of indigenous local grape varieties to give you something a little different and a lot more exciting and came up with the LB7 Red. And we've really stepped up our game with this exclusive bottling. It's made by one of Portugal's most-awarded producers in homage to Lisbon's legendary food scene. It'll enhance any richly flavoured food you throw at it, like a ragu or Indian curry.              

If you like a fragrant Viognier, go for the Men in White Coats Viognier. The Gabb family are one of the UK's finest winemaking exports. In 2000, Rollo Gabb bought the Mount Rozier winery in South Africa’s Western Cape. Here he believes in low-intervention winemaking, treating his workers well and supporting the community. Everything else is focused on making fantastic wine. Try this with Thai green curry.                        

The elegance of the Wind and Waves Alvarinho is another great go to. Due to the vineyard’s lofty altitudes, grapes benefit from the warm, sunny days and cooler nighttime temperatures. The result? Ripe, juicy flavour balanced by a refreshing acidity and minerality that makes it a great partner for fresh sushi and sashimi.            

Made from grapes grown on the steep, slate-soil vineyards of the Mosel Valley, don’t overlook the Definition by Majestic 'Kabinett' Riesling. These conditions are ideal for producing wines with high acidity and intense aromatic qualities. The grapes are harvested at 'Kabinett' ripeness level, which ensures a delicate balance of sweetness and acidity. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to preserve the wine’s fresh, fruity character. It is then aged briefly on its fine lees to enhance texture. Delicious when served with Thai and Asian cuisine.

Whatever your plans for the weekend, we’re raising a glass to all the incredible women who inspire us. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day or simply celebrating the remarkable women in your life, it’s the perfect time to show your appreciation with something truly special.