That little verse, from Thomas Blackburn’s "An Easter Hymn", says a lot about how most of us feel this time of year. We’ve lived through another winter of dark skies and cold, and now we’re ready for glorious Spring! We’ve put together some suggestions for Spring wine drinking that will make the season seem even more glad. Realizing that Spring is fickle, a bit frivolous, and even extravagant, we’ve put some thought into this.
White Wine Recommendations
Walnut City Wineworks, 2005 Columbia Valley Viognier. $18.99. This Washington State vineyard is making very high quality wines, and this is a perfect Spring wine. You’ll find it is lighter than Chardonnay, but has more body than Gruner Veltliner. Viogner is different, distinctive, and is one of our favorite white grapes. This vintner does a great job with it.
King Estate, 2005 Pinot Gris. $15.99. This Oregon wine is the color of pale straw. It is crisp, light and dry, and very versatile if you are matching with foods. Just as early spring is more serious than mid-summer, there is more body and character to this wine than say, an Italian Pinot Grigio.
Ca’del Solo, 2005 Big House White. $9.49. The word “serendipity” refers to the faculty for making fortunate and unexpected discoveries by accident. Frankly, we don’t know how many different grapes are in this blended wine, but we can tell that the makers enjoy their work, and like to surprise people with more than they have a right to expect for this price. This one will make you feel serendipitous!
Carl Sittmann, 2005 Riesling. $6.99. We had never heard of this winemaker before, but an influential person with a highly developed palate put us onto it. Our special person would not put a wine this inexpensive on the shelf unless there is real value here. Like virtually all German Rieslings, this has some residual sugar. If you like inexpensive off-dry wines, try a bottle.
Allan Scott Marlborough (New Zealand), 2005 Sauvignon Blanc. $14.99. The Sauvignon Blanc grape seems particularly affected by where it is grown. In California, it can be grassy with off-putting aromas. French Sancerre is flinty, crisp, and mid-summer thirst-quenching. Arguably, the best Sauvignon Blancs are being grown in New Zealand, around Marlborough and Cloudy Bay. This wine is elegant, and avoids being too herbal. While the traditional gooseberry comes through, there is also passion fruit and a hint of lime. An excellent buy.
Belleruche 2005 Cotes-du-Rhone. $13.99. Belleruche is a name that keeps coming up again and again (their red wine was one of our top Thanksgiving recommendations). There is a reason for that. Michel Chapoutier, the winemaker, is one of the rising stars of the wine world, and has had 3 wines rated “100” by Robert Parker in the past 5 years. Here is an attractive entry-level price for something made by a master. This white Burgundy blend is pale yellow, with the aroma of Granny Smith apples!
Mionetto, Prosecco (Italy). $9.99 (At time of publication, that’s $3 off the regular price!). Let’s have some fun! Prosecco is the sparkling white that helps Italians to enjoy life as no one else can. The top actually has a pry-off cap like Coke or beer. There is a small pouch of peach flavoring around the neck so you can make a Bellini, the legendary drink of Venice. We’re not making this up! A bottle of this on the counter reminds me of a cute girl in a silly hat. If you can’t get into Spring at this price--with this wine—you’re taking life too seriously.
Red Wine Recommendations
Hendry Rose (Napa). $14.99. George Hendry, a Ph.D. physicist, takes a scientific approach to terroir. No winemaker in Napa has more integrity, or is more serious about his grapes. This wine is made from Primitivo, using the saignee method. We love dry Rose, and there isn’t a better one being made in America! It is great for Spring, but so good that we drink it all year round.
Castle Rock, 2005 Pinot Noir. $11.99. This is the best Pinot in the store at this price point. Medium- bodied with a big cherry aroma, and berries and black cherry on the palate. This is light enough for Spring, and one of our best sellers.
Walnut City Wineworks, 2005 Pinot Noir. $18.99. Here’s the truth: Pinot Noir is a finicky grape to grow and the quality is highly correlated with price. We love Pinots from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and this new winery is out to make a name for itself with value wines that are better than the entry point prices. You benefit!
Black Chook, Sparkling Shiraz (Australia). $16.99. Don’t tune out—this is Black Chicken, not Cold Duck! Are Aussies more adventurous, or do they know something we don’t? Maybe both. This pours like a dark purple fizzy mousse. Think of your grandmother’s blackberry pie. Lots of fun, and fruit, and the carbonation clears the palate! You will be pleasantly surprised! Do you think we’d recommend a fizzy red if we didn’t like it ourselves?
Now, here is our final bit of advice for this time of year. Sit outside on your deck, patio, or balcony in a comfortable chair. Feel the sun on your face. Smell the blossoms and the wild onions. Look at the blue sky and the greening buds on the trees. Listen to the birds. Pour yourself a nice glass of wine and enjoy the total sensory experience of Spring!
Photo credits: Jerry Hall | 2BSEEN.
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