Spring Is Here!
© by Scott Gunerman
Spring has sprung, and with this much anticipated change of season comes the need for a change in your wine habits - put the reds away! I've mentioned this before, but since it is so important to my appreciation of wine, I'll have to mention it again. One of the things I like best about wine is the way it is so compatible with the physical change of seasons. As the weather slowly warms up, the birds begin to chirp and the leaves reappear, I can think of nothing better than a glass of chilled white wine - young, fresh, fruity, floral, vibrant and full of everything that shouts "Spring is finally here!"
Don't get me wrong, I love my reds but as the weather begins to change, nothing tastes better than a delightful little white wine full of personality and flavor. And another thing - not only is the weather changing, but you're also going to break up the monotony of drinking the same wines over and over, all year long. There is too much of a variety to get stuck in the wine rut - you just need to know where to look and a little nudge to get started.
Take advantage of the seasons this year - go out on a limb and try something new. Match the coming season with wines that offer similar characteristics. For spring, see my recommendations below. I think you'll find some hidden treasures if you are willing to explore some of these wines and regions that may be off the beaten path. (No Chardonnays this month ... sorry!)
Springtime WhitesYoung and fresh is paramount. Look for the most recent vintages - 2001 or 2000 should be fine. Proceed with caution with anything older (white wines lose their fruit and freshness with time ... )
Vinho Verde (Portugal) - "green wine", crisp, refreshing, lively, light, delicate - excellent with fish and seafood. Get the youngest you can find and don't spend more than $7.
Muscadet (France) - one of the best bargains in wine. Look for the phrase "Sevre-et-Maine" on the label - the best Muscadet comes from this region of the Loire Valley. Ideal with clams, oysters, a tuna fish sandwich or all by itself.
Sauvignon Blanc (California/Chile/New Zealand) - love, love, love this wine. An entire edition will be dedicated to it soon, so for now all I'll say is don't spend more than $10 and look for one that is not aged in oak. You might have to spend an extra dollar for a bottle from New Zealand, but I guarantee it's worth it.
Moscato d'Asti (Italy) - slightly sweet, slightly sparkling - this is ideal for brunch or with a light dessert, or all by itself on a warm spring evening on the porch. Serve well chilled and let the bubbles take you away ...
Alsace (France) - once part of Germany, this area is one of the northernmost wine producing regions in France. Riesling, Pinot Gris (otherwise known as Pinot Grigio some parts of the world), Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc are all home in Alsace. Each wine is light and crisp yet rich and full of flavor at the same time. Look for any of the above by Hugel, Willm or Trimbach.
German Riesling - forget all of the confusion on the label and look for two words: Kabinett and Riesling. Find the ones in the $10 range and don't worry about the rest. These are excellent food wines and one of the most under appreciated categories in wine (due mostly to the confusing labels). Also fantastic for the money is Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region, if they are available in your area. They come in all styles - from dry to sweet, from still to sparkling and also in the form of Ice Wine. Herman J. Wiemer is a personal favorite.
Pinot Grigio (Italy and almost every place in the world) - say the next sentence in your best Tony Soprano accent: fuh-ged about it! Pinot Grigio has gotten so popular so fast that everyone has one on the market today, whether it's from Italy, California or just about anyplace else. Most are mass-produced, dilute, watery wines with little flavor or personality. Don't get me wrong, there are some good ones if you look in the right places, which will be another topic for another day ...
Tasting Notes - hey, give me a break! I'm not Robert Parker Jr.!2000 Willm Pinot Gris - Alsace, France: surprising straw yellow color. Nose is full of citrusy fruit (lemon/grapefruit), perfume and floral notes. Light on the palate, but has all the flavor an intensity of a rich, full-bodied wine. Amazing how they do that. This is real Pinot Grigio - delicious and I'm going to buy it again and again this spring and summer. Great deal at $8.99.
That’s it, finally! Thanks for the visit. As always, please feel free to write me at cellarbrat1@yahoo.com with your comments, questions and suggestions. Everyone gets a reply! All feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
See ya next time from the cellar, and remember wine is more fun than you think ...
Gunerman writes "The Brat In The Cellar" monthly for the Rochester, NY chapter of Wine Brats. The column is featured on Robin Garr's WineLoverPage.com and mirrored at www.BratintheCellar.com.
Also available is "The Brat Report", a weekly subscription based wine newsletter designed to educate and entertain. "The Brat Report" is available for $12/year. To subscribe, send a check/money order along with a valid e/mail address to: The Brat In The Cellar, PO Box 462, Pittsford, NY 14534. Have questions? Want to see a free sample? Send an e-mail to thebratreport@hotmail.com. Everyone gets a reply!
Volume Two
Number 5
May 21, 2002
