Review: Top Five Spring Wines

Spring is a great time to sample the light and aromatic side of wine. White wines are perfect for spring. Here are five spring wines to look for. They will enhance the fresh flavours of spring and go especially well with light vegetable, seafood and chicken dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular and in my opinion, best spring wines. It is light and fragrant with sweet notes of vanilla or citrus. Sauvignon Blanc is produced all over the world. France, Italy, Chile, New Zealand and California are some of the most well known producers. The lightness and herbaceous flavor calls to mind freshly cut grass. This spring wine is a perfect accompaniment to the warmer temperatures and subtle, sweet scents of Spring. It goes especially well with chicken or vegetarian dishes. One of my favourites is 2008 Farleigh Estate Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Don't forget to chill your Sauvignon Blanc in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving it.

Chardonnay is another great option among wines for Spring. France,the most famous producer of Chardonnay, has a variety of Chardonnay wines with flavors from subtle citrus to rounded vanilla. I also like the Chilean 2007 Errázuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay. This Chardonnay is one of the more full-bodied spring wines with lots of rich flavor -golden vanilla and fruit.

Riesling is another great choice among spring wines. The grapes originate from the Rhine region of Germany. A perfect accompaniment to the blossom scents of spring, Riesling has a flowery, sweet character. Now, you can find Riesling wines from France, Germany, the United States and South Africa. It is a great accompaniment to seafood or vegetables, and affordable as well.

Gruner Veltliner is a white wine from Austria. The flavour is lovely and textured with hints of herbs and pepper.It can be hard to come by because the domestic market in Austria tends to buy most of the supply. You can find it from a specialist wine vendor, however. Alternatively, plan a spring trip to Austria and enjoy the Gruner Vetliner!

Pinot Grigio is an accessible and versatile wine, widely available in the supermarkets. You have to be careful though, as popular demand has caused some versions of this wine to be a little - well, 'ordinary'. My personal favorite is the 2007 Argento Pinot Grigio from Argentina. It is affordable and has a clean, slightly fruity taste.