Spring time calls for fun, easy-to-drink wines, with a minerality that is refreshing and clean,reminding one of green grass, citrus fruits and flowers awakening after a long sleep in the cold. Flirty, light and aromatic, what a wonderful way to welcome spring.
White wine tastes best when the days become longer and the sun finally shines through. Albariño is always a good bet. Pagos del Rey’s Pulpo Albariño is smooth to drink, pairing superbly well with appetizers and snacks as well as seafood and pasta. This is a mild-bodied wine with refreshing acidity, where you get a hint of salty sea breeze and scent of citrus fruits.
Chablis from Domaine William Fevre is the epitome of freshness with complexity. Refined and elegant, this prince of spring gives a dry, crisp taste and pronounced minerality. Its bright acidity means you can pair this wine with savoury dishes of poultry and seafood as well as soft, creamy cheeses.
Cross over to where the hills are alive and try the Grüner Veltliner from Austria, in particular Domäne Wachau’s Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Ried Kaiserberg. Presenting a luminous greenish yellow hue, bearing the fragrance of quince with good acidity and saline minerality, this dry white wine drinks beautifully with spicy Asian cuisine.
What is spring without savouring a fine bottle of Pinot Noir? Oregon is the place to watch, with Bergstorm delivering an earthy, elegant Pinot Noir from the Yamhill-Carlton District, loaded with silky tannins, baking spice and rich berry flavors. Pairing impeccably with red meat and poultry, this wine takes you beyond dinner and into great conversations that last late into the night.