Seasons Change: 6 Wines to Try this Spring

It’s hard not to be excited for the return of warmer weather. Days lengthen, heavy sweaters and jackets are tucked away for the season, sunglasses are found, and even our footsteps, after months of plodding through snow and slush, get lighter. New foods appear in markets and on menus—heavy squashes make way for delicate greens, beans, and more. Taste in wine also shifts naturally with the season. Palates are prepped for wines that lift and refresh, as well as bottles to pair wonderfully with all those spring eats. A year into a global pandemic, and folks are even more excited to try something new. Our team at Wine & Spirits is right there with you. Read on to see the bottles we’re most excited to share with you this spring. And don’t get us started on rosé! (Actually, our team at Wine & Spirits has already started bringing back the pink.)

White & Orange

McBride Sisters Collection Estate Chardonnay 

Founded by two sisters who were raised separately in Monterey, California, and Marlborough, New Zealand, McBride Sisters has grown into what is not only the largest Black-owned wine company in the US, but one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable. This exceptional Chardonnay explains their success. Pale golden in color with aromas of lemon curd, honey and ripe pear, the wine is soft and has lovely texture. Full of character without weight, this wine is a wonderful pair with herbed salmon, spring pasta bolognese or grilled portobello mushrooms.

Togonidze’s Wine Rkatsiteli 2018

We’ve said it before, we love wines that are fun to say, and Rkatsiteli (pronounced re-KAHT-sit-teh-li) is no exception. This sustainably farmed skin-contact white, made from one of the oldest grape varietals in the world, is spicy and floral, with notes of lime, baked apple, hay, acacia, and honeysuckle. Bright and refreshing, with a lean, mineral core is a fantastic partner to salads, an array of cheeses, and Mediterranean cuisine. 

Rosé

Francois Millet Sancerre Rosé 2020

Nestled in the scenic village of Bue, Sancerre Domaine Millet was started in 1850 out of a natural appreciation for the surrounding vineyards, the quality of the terroir and the almost mythic natural setting.  Today, the vineyard is still family operated, currently in its fifth generation. Keeping in line with the original winemaking philosophy, Francois and Monique Millet strive to work in tandem with the land and continue the level of care required to express the subtleties of terroir. This Rose is endlessly charming,beautiful salmon pink in the glass with pure, well-defined flavors. 100% Pinot Noir with aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant leading into bright citrus and fresh cherries. A sharp and elegant finish round out this well-balanced, thirst-quenching wine. Goes perfectly with Mediterranean fare, summer salads and even barbeque!

Balea Txakoli Rosé 2020

It’s baaaack! This fun and friendly Txakoli rose was a customer favorite last year, and we’re so excited to have it back for the season. Fresh and lively with a hint of spritziness, the wine offers hints of citrus and sea spray on the nose, which join ripe red berries and refreshing minerality. It's a winner with seafood, cured meats, Spanish anchovies and crusty bread.

Red

Costador “Comadellops” Sumol Negre Vermell 2019

Costador, run by Joan Franquet, works only using organic and biodynamic practices on a singular mountain where there are very old vineyards, spanning different “terroirs” (slate, clay and limestone) and at altitudes between 400 to 800 meters. The major part of the fermentation for this 100% sumoll negre is done in amphora, along with used French and acacia oak barrels. Aging is completed in amphora and used oak as well. The result is a singularly fresh and fascinating light red with subtle notes of snappy red currants, blackberry bramble, smoke, and forest underbrush. It’s a star with anything grilled, semi-firm cheeses, and socially distant stoop gatherings with friends. 

Barista Pinotage 2017

Pinotage is the ubiquitous national grape of South Africa, created in 1925 by crossing pinot noir and cinsault (a red grape from the Rhone valley). This bottle is an example of a modern style coffee pinotage, so called for intense aromas & flavors of roasted beans. Barista is full and generous, with rich espresso and cocoa notes accented by ripe plum, mulberry and cherry fruit leading into a smooth, lingering finish.