11

FOOD, WINE & MOREFOOD, WINE & MORE

Mountain View News Saturday, April 19, 2025


THE TASTING ROOM


WINES FOR THE EASTER TABLE

I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room Manager and Wine 
Buyer at The Bottle Shop in Sierra Madre with another 
wine and spirits selection. 

Easter is here and I have got three wines that will be 
perfect for your Easter meal. All these wines are small-
production and family run wineries that you won’t see 
at your grocery store. 

This is a great way to support smaller wineries that are 
making wines that are far superior to grocery store or 
big box store wines. 

2023 Desire Lines Riesling, Cole Ranch Mendocino 
County – wonderful minerality and acid lift this Riesling 
towards the bright and zesty finish. Tropical notes, 
stone fruit, peach, and ginger come through on the 
palate. It’s not sweet at all, but rather a dry Riesling that will go well with your Easter ham. 
$24.99 MVN $22.99 

2022 Aequorea Pinot Noir Spanish Springs Vineyard San Luis Obispo Coast – Aaron Jackson 
makes this superb wine that over-delivers. Subtle earthy notes along with floral and savory 
spice. Wild herbs and dark fruit lead to a finish that lingers with seamless tannins. Lamb is 
calling for this delicious Pinot Noir! $49.99 MVN $46.00

2023 Domaine De La Chanteleuserie Cabernet Franc, Bourgueil – I love Cabernet Franc and 
this one is fantastic. Bright fruit, black cherries, tobacco leaf, leather, and white pepper notes 
bring this wine to a lengthy finish. It has enough acidity to keep it fresh and bright. $18.99 
MVN $17.99 

All three of these wines are available at The Bottle Shop. Say you saw it in the Mountain 
Views News and get the MVN special price. The special prices are good through April 25th. 

Please keep in mind all those who have suffered and are trying to rebuild from the Eaton 
Fire. Visit DenaMadreStrong.com to learn how you can continue to help those impacted by 
the Eaton Fire. 

 Until next time – Salud!

 Scan the QRCode to sign up for our 
newsletter. 

WHY DO WE EAT HAM ON EASTER?

 (AND WHAT TO DRINK WITH IT)

You ever wonder why every Easter table in America suddenly turns into a shrine 
for ham? I mean, who decided ham gets the spotlight and not, say, roast beef or a 
lasagna?

Let’s start with a brief history. Easter, as you may know, is the most important 
holiday on the Christian calendar—it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. But long 
before Peeps and Cadbury eggs entered the scene, early Christians celebrated Easter 
at the tail-end of Lent, a period of fasting, reflection, and (most importantly) 
no meat. So when the fast broke, they feasted.

Now, ham? That’s a matter of practicality meets tradition. In pre-refrigeration 
days, hogs were slaughtered in the fall and cured through the winter. Come 
spring—voilà—the ham was ready to eat. It was already sitting there in the pantry, 
practically begging to be the guest of honor.

But let’s talk wine, because ham’s sweet-and-salty personality deserves the right 
partner.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Riesling (off-dry) – Its slight sweetness and acidity cut right through the 
salt and bring out the richness of the meat.

• Pinot Noir – If you insist on red, this is your best bet. Light, earthy, with 
just enough fruit to dance with the glaze. I found one at Vons called Domaine 
Carneros, real value and these estate grapes will go great with your Ham

• Rosé – A chilled rosé might just be the unsung hero of Easter. Fruity, crisp, 
and it doesn’t overpower the ham. My go toAIX Rose’ bright and crisp

And what if you’re not a ham fan? First off—welcome to the resistance. Secondly, 
might I suggest roast lamb? It’s got a history even older than ham—dating back to 
Passover. It’s rich, elegant, and pairs beautifully with a Bordeaux or Syrah.

So whether you’re devouring a spiral-cut ham or politely declining with a forkful 
of lamb or veggie casserole, Easter’s really about gathering together. The food just 
gives us something to talk about… and something to eat while we talk.

And if you’re still not sure what to bring to the Easter table—just show up with 
wine. Trust me, no one has ever complained about that.

Check out and subscribe to the Peter Dills podcast there are 15 minutes or 45 
minute ones,


ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 


The True Purpose of Religion can be seen 
through many different lenses—spiritual, psychological, 
social, and even political. But what 
is its most basic reason?

1. Spiritual Connection

Simply said, the purpose of religion is to cultivate 
the capacity to experience the Divine 
Presence in one’s life. All teachings and rituals, 
whether within large institutions or within 
the privacy of one’s home, are for this purpose. 
And the desire and capacity to experience the 
Divine Presence are to bring one to the power of Knowledge that the Creator of all life has placed 
within each human heart. The Beginning of all religions are a person who has experienced the 
divine and then attempts to pass their experience along so the followers will also experience their 
unity with the divine.

As Jesus said in John 17 “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that 
all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that 
the world may believe that you have sent me.I have given them the glory that you gave me, that 
they may be one as we are one in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete 
unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved 
me.”

2. Moral and Ethical Guidance

Religions provide systems of ethics and values to help people navigate right and wrong. Think of 
commandments, teachings, or moral parables—they offer a kind of compass.

3. Community and Belonging

Religion brings people together. Rituals, festivals, and places of worship create a sense of shared 
identity and support, which has been crucial in forming societies throughout history.

4. Coping Mechanism

In times of hardship, religion can provide hope, meaning, and comfort. It gives people narratives 
to make sense of suffering, death, and the unknown.

5. Cultural Transmission

Religious stories, symbols, and practices often carry cultural knowledge across generations. They 
preserve language, art, music, and traditions.

6. Power and Control (Controversially)

Historically, religion has also been used to justify authority and maintain order. This part gets 
messy—think of how it’s been used in politics, colonization, or even war.

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com