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“Sip into Spring”
Soon the weather will be warming up and friends will be coming over to sit on the deck to enjoy some conversation and to sip on a glass of refreshing vino. With the warmer temperature I tend to gravitate towards wines with fresh fruit, crisp acidity and something that’s going to quench my thirst. Of course if you’re grilling a juicy burger that big, bold Shiraz is still a good choice. Just remember that if it’s hot outside you need to give your red wine a chill down in a bucket of ice water. 60 to 65 degrees is perfect for reds on the deck. Whites should be about 50 and sparklers 45. Giving wine the right chill will lift the fruit, bring out the acidity and make it more refreshing. Warm reds will taste higher in alcohol, more tannic and flat. Some of my favorite spring time sippers are white wines with a lot of floral character. Italian whites like Soave, Frascati, Pinot Bianco, Trebbiano and of course Pinot Grigio are great for this time of the year. The light to medium body style and the crisp acidity are what make’s these wines sing on the palate while delivering a thirst quenching nature. Other fun whites this time of the year are Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray, Riesling, Albarino and Viognier. If you’re looking for an alternative to that favorite Pinot Grigio check out some of the Albarinos coming from Rias Baixas, Spain. These are great wines with seafood off the grill and have excellent acidity like Pinot Grigio, although a totally different flavor profile. More peach and mango where as Pinot Grigio has a lot of pear and apple tones. For the hotter days remember to pick red wines that are fruity, low in tannins and lower in alcohol. Here is a list of some of my favorite refreshing wines for this time of the season. Hope you enjoy!
1) Martin Codax Albarino 2006, Spain – Crisp and clean with aromas and flavors of citrus, pineapple and mango.
2) Inama Soave Classico 2006, Italy – Fuller bodied than most Pinot Grigios, this wine is refreshing with herbal tones with pear, green apple and citrus notes. A great producer and a must try for anyone who loves Italian whites.
3) Pannotia Vineyards Torrontes 2006, Argentina – This is Argentina’s signature white grape and when made in skilled hands is fabulous. Floral notes of hibiscus, spice and quince. Refreshing flavors of orange, lemon, apple and peach coat the palate while a crispness ends the finish. A great house wine for the summer!
4) Mc Manis Viognier 2006, Calf. – Fourth generation wine growers who now keep the best of their grapes for their own family label. If your looking for an alternative to a Chardonnay for the warm weather than you’ve got to try this one. Aromas of honeysuckle and peach are followed by a succulent apricot and more peaches on the palate. Big, bold and lower in acidity like a Chardonnay without the oak and butter.
5) J. Lohr Wildflower 2005, Calf. – The grape in this wine is the Valdiguie and the style is like a French Beaujolais in that carbonic maceration is used to make a fresh, fruity wine. Aromas and flavors of cranberry, boysenberry and raspberry meld in the mouth with a touch of sweetness. This is a red wine that needs to be chilled and will go with many different foods.
Jeff Anderson
Sommelier
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