Five Best Wines for Spring

For many the arrival of spring brings to mind a time of new beginnings as the frigid temperatures of winter gradually give way to more pleasant weather. The arrival of spring means a time of renewal for appetites as well as the heavier, denser fare of winter give way to lighter, spring-time foods. This of course, for wine enthusiasts signals the transition from heavier, denser wines to lighter vintages more appropriately paired with spring-time dishes. With wine, lighter equates to white wine.

White Wines for Spring

Settling on a list of top white wines for the spring is no simple task. The difficulty lies not in what to include but what to exclude. Excellent white wines abound. Yet here are five affordable recommendations fit for a proper celebration of spring.

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - $19.50/Bottle

Villa Maria Winery, Manukau, New Zealand

Villa Maria's 2008 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent example of the crisp, elegant Sauvignon Blanc wines that New Zealand is renowned for. It has a yellow/green hue, is juicy and boasts vibrant flavors of ripe green apples and gooseberries with a crisp, lemony finish, pairing nicely with salmon.

Beringer 2007 Private Reserve Chardonnay - $24.99/Bottle

Beringer Vineyards, Napa Valley, California

Beringer 2007 Private Reserve Chardonnay is golden in color. This is a richly layered wine features flavors of citrus and pear. Aging in French oak barrels gives the wine a sweet oak flavor that goes well with the lively citrus notes and offers a crisp finish. It compliments well pasta dishes.

Texas Hills Pinot Grigio 2007 - $15.69/Bottle

Texas Hills Vineyard, Johnson City, Texas

Texas Hills Pinot Grigio 2007, straw yellow in color, has a creamy mouth feel and the refreshing bright flavors of honey dew melon and pear, finishing with a hint of tropical fruit. Goes well will light pastas and ravioli.

Joel Gott Columbia Valley Riesling 2008 - $12.89/Bottle

Joel Gott Wines - Columbia Valley, Washington

Joel Gott Columbia Valley Riesling 2008 is golden-yellow, off-dry Riesling with an interesting blend of the flavors and aromas of citrus, star fruit, pepper and honeycomb. Soils of the Columbia Valley contribute the mineral notes for which Riesling wines are known. Recommended pairings grilled chicken or seafood.

Becker Vineyards Fume Blanc 2008

Becker Vineyards, Texas Hill Country

The complexity of this creamy textured Fume Blanc is so impressive that many consider it the best of the available Texas white wines on the market. The aromas feature pear, herbs and cucumber and flavors include spiced peach, melon and citrus. The wine has a very dry, refreshing finish. Pairing with crab legs and shrimp cocktail is a good bet.

References:

Wine Search Engine. Wine-Searcher.com. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.

At the Winery. Beringer Vineyards. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.

Major Types of White Wine. French Scout.com. Web. 12 Jan. 2010