The Best Wines To Enjoy As Winter Leaves Us Behind and Spring Has Sprung!

The Sun shines warmer, buds are breaking, and birds are singing with joy as winter is behind us. Celebrate the season with some brilliant wines that are sure to bring and smile to you, your friends, and your family.

Did you know Sauvignon Blanc means “wild white” and originates from the Bordeaux region of France?   New World Sauvignon Blanc is commonly from the Marlborough region of New Zealand and the United States. This varietal is known for its acidic citrus notes such as grapefruit, lime, orange, and lemon. Sauvignon Blanc is a must-have for any spring wine selection.  When enjoying a French Sauvignon Blanc, look for bright, fruit-forward notes full of green apples, guava, and peach, balanced by hints of herby green grass, wet stone, and classic smooth minerality.

Most everyone has tasted a Pinot Grigio which is a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. Looking at its origins, it is found in Northern Italy due to the dry and cool climate, the drier Pinot Grigios are high in acid and have an almost saline quality. Most are aged in stainless steel with no hints of oak. However, fruit-forward Pinot Grigios are more commonly found in New World countries such as Australia, South America, and the United States.

Chenin Blanc is not well known but is a brilliant choice for the Spring. 50% of grapes come from South Africa, but you can now find them in the United States, Argentina, and France. A very adaptable wine, Chenin Blanc can be dry, but also deep, oaky, and buttery offering heavy fruit notes on the palate. Think notes of butterscotch, marzipan, baked apple, and lemon curd, as well as yellow apple, pear, passion fruit, honeydew, and jasmine.

Who doesn’t like a good Pinot Noir?  Known as easy-drinking, everyday red wine. Adaptable to many flavor profiles and food pairings, this wine can be enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled. California Pinot Noirs tend to be more fruit-forward, while South American and European grapes have a sturdier, earth-forward palate.

Try a blend they are spectacular! Many are more robust when specific varietals are blended, such as a GSM- Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The Bordeaux region is also famous for its blends. Additionally, there are thousands of simple red blends available. California is known for nice, light, fruit-forward blends.

Open some bubbles for the Spring!  Made from Glera grapes, Prosecco is originally from Veneto, Italy. They are found in three categories, Brut, Extra Dry, and Dry. Brut is the driest, with up to ½ a gram of sugar per glass. Extra dry contains just over ½ a gram, and dry can contain up to a full gram of sugar per serving. Prosecco will almost always seem sweeter than Champagne due to the fruity flavors of pear, honeydew, cantaloupe, and honeysuckle. Sparkling wine is not only for special occasions; always keep a bottle chilling in the refrigerator!

Enjoy Spring, spend more time outdoors, and open a bottle or two of these Springtime wines.

Elaine & Scott Harris
Sommeliers
Vino Las Vegas Wine Club
2620 Regatta Drive, Suite 119
Las Vegas, NV 89128
www.vinolasvegaswineclub.com