Step into the first warm days of spring with fresh and floral wines!
Warning: Don’t look at the calendar, but the birds are already starting to chirp in the morning, the grass is beginning to peek through the snow, and every now and then a warm day will come that just feels like spring. Welcome this glorious weather and those feels-good-to-be-outside spring vibes with light and refreshing wines that can carry you all the way to patio season.
These wines pair with those vibrant and colorful spring recipes that feature the first veggies of the year, such as lettuces, snap peas, carrots, and more! Like most wines, they also work well with a charcuterie board, which can be the best way to celebrate longer evenings and the first dinner on the porch. You can even break out a bottle, can, or box (how thirsty is your crowd?) for Easter brunch. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to get the bar cart ready with pastel glassware that basically screams “Spring is here!” — everyone appreciates a glass that adds fun to the atmosphere, especially when they’re frosted, ombre, and all different colors.
Of course, you need wine to go in your festive tumblers, so stock up on these spring wines and you’ll be ready to go as soon as the sun comes out and the mittens come off … it will be here before we know it!
WHITE WINE
Go with lighter, unoaked white wine varieties such as a Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc. These wines can be more acidic, and have a more mineral taste, which pairs perfectly with goat cheese, fish, and veggies — especially cauliflower! Spring white wines have a crisp flavor compared to a buttery Chardonnay or Viognier, which can taste overly heavy in warmer weather. Make sure your white wine is chilled, but not overly so. It’s important to bring a white wine out at room temp for 15 minutes before serving so you can experience the tasting notes of the wine.
ROSÉ WINE
With a pretty pink color and a deliciously light and fruity flavor, rosé wine is basically made for spring. Serve in place of mimosas at Easter brunch, or enjoy on the porch during the first thunderstorm of the year. Rosé pairs nicely with Italian food like spring pastas and risottos, along with appetizers like cheese, charcuterie, and bruschetta. And if you want to go all-out pink, salmon is the idea entrée for this versatile spring wine.
SPARKLING WINE
Bubbles equals celebration, and there’s no better reason to celebrate than warm weather on the horizon! Use spring as an excuse to sip on sparkling wine and make bubbly spring wine cocktails that pair best with fruit salads and fresh cheeses. Sparkling wines are delicate and are typically served before a meal as an aperitif, because they are known to stimulate the appetite. Stick to the dry varieties for ultimate food pairings, or pair your sweeter sparkling wines with desserts and fun fruit appetizers (like prosciutto-wrapped melon or bacon-wrapped dates).
Raise a glass with wine this spring, and cheers to a new season!
