In spring, of course, my mind turns to wine, my favorite beverage. This time of year, I can't help but shun the heavy reds and pair the weather with something a little lighter and refreshing … mostly white wines and dry rosés. With rosés becoming a little more mainstream and hip, you can find a wider selection out there, especially the heavier, meatier ones. And the whites have been rich and satisfying this year, with an even wider selection of cool-sounding, oddball grapes and well-made traditional ones. My list of spring selections:
Recommended Wines
Antinori 2003 Cervaro Della Sala (Italy) A chardonnay and Italian grape Grechetto blend with creamy vanilla, peaches and a clean, delicious finish. Sw = 2. $43. 4.5 stars
Monkey Bay 2006 Rosé New Zealand Tart strawberry and raspberry, with brisk acids that are well balanced enough to indulge in that second or third glass (oh hell, fourth). Sw = 1. $11. 4 stars.
Domaine de Closel Chateau des Vaults "La Jalousie" 2005 Savonierres (France) Don't let the far-too-long name deter you from trying this gorgeous wine. Distinct flavors like chamomile, green tea and lemon join together to create a fun, bright white for spring or summer. Sw = 1. $18. 4 stars
Isenhower 2005 Snapdragon Viognier/Roussanne (Washington) A gorgeous perfume floods you when sniffing this fruity number. Fragrant honeysuckle, rich peaches and a smooth aftertaste of tropical mango. Sw = 2. $21. 4 stars
Miner 2005 Rosado Mendocino County (California) Not your wimpy, sweet blush wine experience. Bright cherry, raspberry and good acids create a damn nice pink quaff. 100 percent sangiovese grape. Sw = 1. $19. 4 stars
King Estate 2005 Domaine Pinot Gris (Oregon) Fermented apples, pears and smooth vanilla merge in this Oregon big-bodied white. All the grapes come from their estate property, thus earning it the "Domaine" title. Sw = 3. $19. 3.5 stars
Talus 2005 Pinot Grigio Lodi (California) Frickin' cheap and good. Loaded with oak, but it's soft with a collection of citrus like orange and grapefruit. Sw = 3. $8. 3.5 stars
L'Ecole #41 2005 Semillon Columbia Valley (Washington) Musky, steely and very refreshing with tangerine, fig and pear all balanced in a delicious sip. Unique. Sw = 1. $17. 3.5 stars
Honig 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Amazing scent. Honeyed peaches, wet slate and grapefruit in the mouth. Sweeter than most sauvignon blancs out there. Sw = 3. $15. 3.5 stars
Verget 2004 Chablis Grand Elevage (France) This traditional Chablis is earthy with a crisp, austere citrus taste. Creamy with a bit of butteriness. Sw = 1. $19. 3.5 stars
Chateau Guiot 2005 Rosé Costiere de Nîmes (France) The rosé that drinks like a red. Hearty, dirty cherry and bright raspberry with a serious dose of food-friendly acidity. Sw = 1. $9. 3.5 stars
Valentin Bianchi 2004 Chardonnay Mendoza (Argentina) Not to be confused with the Paso Robles winery Bianchi, this Argentinean winery has produced a lemon buttered popcorn chardonnay. A bit burnt tasting, but so unique, it's cool. Sw = 3. $14. 3 stars
Casa da Silva 2005 Viognier Reserva Colchagua (Chile) Steely and tart for a viognier, but still has the aromatic peaches/apricot/honeysuckle combo. Sw = 1. $15. 3 stars
Sweetness (Sw) rating is out of 10, 10 being pure sugar. 1(star) rating is out of 5, 5 being wine nirvana.
This article appears in May 16-22, 2007.