In this week's Tipping's Tipples, MIKE TIPPING has Easter on his mind in the shape of three Old World reds for Easter Sunday.

CHOCOLATE bingeing season is nearly upon us. It’s the festival that used to be known as Easter which, in our rather secular household anyway, is more akin to Christmas-light.

Easter Sunday dinner, chez Tipping, has almost the same pomp and ceremony as at Christmas. Other than we do not have crackers, goose or turkey.

Usually it is roast beef or lamb that is served and I get more than my fair share because the rest of the family have gorged on chocolate and have no room left.

Of course a good bottle of vino, to accompany the roast, is an essential. I have chosen three Old World reds this week; one from France, one from Spain and one from Italy.

Pasqua Passimento 2011, is from Veneto in north-east Italy. A blend of merlot, corvina and croatina, the grapes are partially dried, in the traditional Valpollicella way, before fermentation.

The result is a concentrated and smooth wine, with ripe cherry fruit flavours, layers of spice and some structure too.

Currently on offer at Waitrose, is a classy French syrah from renowned Rhône-based winemaker Michel Chapoutier.

Chapoutier Petite Ruche 2009, Crozes-Hermitage, is medium bodied with a nice freshness and supple tannins. You can expect black pepper spiced flavours of brambles, cassis and raspberry. The wine will work particularly well with roast beef.

Or head to Spain’s Rioja region to find a great match-up for roast lamb. I was really impressed with Beronia Reserva 2009, Rioja, which was a gold medal winner at the International Wine Challenge last year.

Smooth, spicy and concentrated, it is very much in the modern style. Exuding cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavours, with notes of vanilla and coconut, it has a lively acidity that will cut through the roast lamb dinner.

Pasqua Passimento 2011, Veneto, £8.99 when you buy two at Majestic 17/20

Chapoutier Petite Ruche 2009, Crozes-Hermitage, £11.99 until April 29 at Waitrose 17/20

Beronia Reserva 2009, Rioja, around £14 from Majestic, Ocado, Tesco.com and Waitrose 18/20