Selecting Wines for Spring
There is always a certain amount of excitement with the arrival of Spring. With the onset of longer days and warmer temperatures, winter begins slowly begins to be a distant memory as flowers start to bloom, brightening things up and heralding the arrival of the warm and sunny days to come.
Seasons change and so should the wines that we drink. What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a perfect wine?
The best way to choose a wine for Spring?
Spring is the transition from cold to warmer weather the forecast is variable and very unpredictable changing day to day or even throughout the course of one day.
A hot sunny day that will find you outdoors in a t-shirt firing up the BBQ may be followed by a chilly frosty morning giving the impression that winter has suddenly returned without warning. It is a fun and exciting time; your wine choices should correspond to unpredictable weather conditions.
A heavy winter red would not be suitable for a hot summer day, the same is true for a lighter Sauvignon Blanc on a cold winter's day. Check the temperature before choosing what wine to drink.
Springtime wines should neither be too heavy nor too light and it is wise to select wines that are versatile.
Wines with excellent texture, freshness, brightness, balanced fruit, and acidity are perfect for springtime.
A well-textured medium-bodied fresh wine is perfect when fending off the lingering winter chill and will make you think of the warmer days leading up to summer.
As the temperature rises, your food choices usually become lighter in taste and texture - salads, spring vegetables, seafood, poultry dishes, and of course, anything that you can cook on the BBQ (weather permitting).
Young white wines that are light, high in acidity, refreshing, and crisp pair well with springtime dishes.
If you prefer rosé or red wines then choose ones that are light to medium-bodied with good balance, and low tannins, with a fresh vibrancy about them. Red wines can be slightly chilled to ensure that they are served at the correct temperature on warmer days.
We have put together a list of different wines from around the world that will help herald the arrival of Spring and delight your palate, and are suitable with or without food.
Popular Spring wines from around the world
|
Wine/Grape |
Characteristics |
|
Champagne and Sparkling wines |
No celebration is required, sparkling wine is perfect for any season with perfect balance which makes them delightful to consume with any dish or on its own. The perfect year-round wine. |
|
Chablis - France |
Leaner than your average Chardonnay, the dry crispness and minerality of Chablis are perfect to pair with light foods such as a charcuterie board. |
|
Unoaked Chardonnay - any country |
As with Chablis, if you like a dry white wine then a Chardonnay is the perfect match for creamy and mildly seasoned dishes or just on its own. |
|
Grüner Veltliner |
Lean with high acidity, herbaceous, and pepper notes that pleasantly cleanse the palate. A perfect complement to a board of Charcuterie. |
|
Sauvignon Blanc |
the perfect medium-bodied wine for everyday drinking with its light lively fresh brightness along with beautifully balanced fruit and acidity that will pair with many of the season’s dishes - especially all things that are green and herb driven. |
|
Gewürztraminer |
One of the first wines to be released in Spring, the fresh floral aromas of this medium-bodied wine with notes of lychee, rose, ginger, and grapefruit will pair perfectly with spicy dishes. |
|
Albariño |
Rich stone fruit flavors, a hint of sea breeze, perky acidity, and freshness make this wine a splendid match for fresh fish and tingles on the palate. |
|
Dry Riesling |
Floral notes coupled with high acidity are perfect for those lighter spring dishes such as grilled meat but can be paired with a wide array of dishes or enjoyed on its own. |
|
Vermentino/Grollo |
A brilliant wine that is versatile and drunk on its own. It compliments fish and citrus or herb-based dishes. |
|
Verdicchio |
With its dry lemon-like acidity, easy to drink on its own as well as matching well with lighter dishes. |
|
Bacchus |
Commonly grown in the United Kingdom, it is the perfect aperitif as its fresh acidity, elderflower, grass, and citrusy notes make it fresh and enjoyable on its own. |
|
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris |
Pinot Grigio comes in three different styles
The dry wines go well with a variety of light dishes while the sweet wines are a perfect accompaniment for a light dessert. |
|
Medium to full-bodied rosé - Any Country |
Rosé wine can be drunk all year but darker wines that are made from Syrah or Mourvèdre are best suited to the Spring season and are the perfect partner to anything from the BBQ. |
|
Pinot Noir |
Characteristically light to medium-bodied, Pinot Noir drinks well on its own or with light to medium foods such as pork, salmon, chicken, and lamb. |
|
Cabernet Franc - Loire Valley France |
Young wines are fresh and fruity perfect to drink on its own or accompanied by light fresh dishes. |
|
Beaujolais - France |
Light-bodied and fruity with low tannins and high acidity makes this a perfect sipping wine. |
|
Grenache Noir |
Spiciness paired with red fruits and much depth and texture makes it a very versatile wine that is perfect for any season. |
|
Tempranillo |
Though it is medium to full-bodied, this is a good choice for Spring. Deep fruit flavors make it pleasurable to drink on its own or paired with tomato-based dishes, Mexican food, corn-based dishes, or smokey meats from the BBQ. |
|
Sangiovese |
This savory wine is a perfect match for any type of Italian food from pizza to a creamy herb-based risotto. It has distinctive earthly notes alongside noticeable fig and cherry which is complemented further with cranberry, red plum, sour cherry, roasted pepper, and tomato notes. |
Texas Wines for Springtime Sipping
Look no further than your local Texas winemaker for the perfect bottle of wine to compliment your springtime celebrations. With close to five hundred wineries throughout the state, there is an array of wine styles available.
There has been a noticeable increase in the quality of white wines being produced in Texas. Most wineries have a Rhone White in their portfolio- as a single variety or a variation of blends using Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne.
More focus has been put into the production of excellent light to medium bodied whites that are made from Vermentino, Albariño, and Picpoul Blanc grapes- varieties accustomed to the warm Mediterranean climate and thrive in the Texas heat.
Lewis Wines is not the only producer making exciting examples of the Albariño grape made famous in Rias Baixas, Spain. This is a white grape to be on the lookout for in Texas.
Equally, there are some fine lighter red wines that are made from Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Cinsault, and Carignan. Many of these grapes are also found in top rated Texas Rosé- Merideth Reed and her 2021 Lavaca Bluffs Reserve Cinsault Rosé being a fine example.
Learning what wines correspond to what season is as fun as drinking them. The best rule of thumb is to choose a wine that corresponds to the weather conditions/temperature of the daily forecast.
Hotter days call for lighter wines and chilly days are best enjoyed with something more robust in your glass.
As the weather is variable during the spring, it is a good idea to have a selection of different wines on hand in your collection to avoid disappointment should the weather conditions cause a sudden change to your plans and menu choices.
