A guide to great spring wines
By Carla Snuggs
Happy Spring! You know what that means: It’s time for new wines! Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a bridal shower, having a picnic or just enjoying a meal, a special bottle of wine adds a special touch. I’m sharing some of my recent favorite wine across all price points that you can enjoy all spring!
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2020 Whole Cluster Rosé of Pinot Noir
Fermented from free-run juice from uncrushed Pinot Noir clusters. This rosé achieves a lovely color, aroma and juicy flavor during the Whole Cluster process. Shop: Wvv.com
JustPink! California Rosé
Pinot Noir joins a classic Provençal blend of Grenache and Syrah to create a California Rosé, crafted by @fayardwines. With a nose of white spring rose, under-ripe watermelon, and honeydew, and the taste of white cherry, peaches, pear, and nectarine, this wine is as light and bright on the palate as it appears in the sunlight. Shop: Justpinkwine.com
Bruliam Wines 2018 Torrey Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Red cherries, violets, and warm baking spices explode in an exuberant celebration of Russian River Valley terroir. Garnet-hued and medium bodied, the 2018 Torrey Hill is a smooth sip of juicy, red fruits and bright, uplifted acidity. The texture is polished and elegant, with a silky finish. Charm, yes, but also gravitas makes this wine a perennial favorite. Use code Use code xocarla10 to save 10% on your purchase. Expires: 5/31/2021. Shop: Bruliamwines.vinespring.com
SpryWine Automatic Bottle Opener
This sleek rechargeable automatic bottle opener will open every bottle flawlessly, while looking amazing on your counter in between bottles. Every bottle opener comes with a foil cutter, but you can also get other accessories like a vacuum seal bottle cover and a pour spout. With code "sprywine" you can get 5% off any purchase. We hope you love this bottle opener as much we do! Shop: Sprywine.com
Blue Ox Stranger Than Paradise Sparkling Passetoutgrain 2019 | $34
Made in Berkeley, California with Valdiguié and Pinot Noir grapes from Redwood Valley. Bright, juicy with soft bubbles and the perfect transition wine to warmer weather. Tastes like a handful of sun-drenched cherries (pits magically removed). Frisky as Lambrusco, classy as Champagne. Shop: Wineandpeace.com
Classic Bellini Ohza Mimosa
Redefining ready-to-drink beverages, Ohza’s gluten-free Classic Bellini Mimosas have the calorie count of a hard seltzer, but the bold flavor of a serious cocktail – all while containing no added sugar, nothing artificial, zero preservatives, and an extremely clean nutrition label. Crafted with premium sparkling wine and 100% real peach juice, Ohza’s mimosas contain up to 80% less sugar than standard DIY mimosas. Click here to order the Classic Bellini Ohza or find a store near you.
WineSociety FATE White Wine
A primary Chardonnay blend (75%) with Albariño, this vibrant and fragrant wine leaps to the senses with notes of peach, bosc pears and fresh citrus. Founded by designer-turned-entrepreneur and wine enthusiast, Angela Allison, WineSociety elevates the quality of canned wines with four selections available in 500ml cans inspired by the 1/2 carafe serving size found in restaurants throughout Italy. You can find WineSociety at Whole Foods and BevMo! locations among other fine retailers and grocers, or sign up for a quarterly subscription box delivered straight to your door. Shop: Winesociety.com
Crescere Wines 2017 Proprietary Chardonnay
This boutique Sonoma County winery was born from a partnership between proprietors and husband-and-wife team, Joe and Elena Reynoso, and renowned winemaker Philippe Melka, who work together to create a range of premium wines capturing the distinct essence of the region’s most heralded sites. The 2017 Proprietary Chardonnay offers aromatics of sweet cream, golden apple, white flowers, and a touch of wet stone. The palate is powerful, balanced, and expansive, with notes of pear and almond tart, nutmeg, bright honeydew melon, gunflint, and lime. This finish is focused, but generous, driven by lively acidity. Shop: Crescerewines.com
Sommify: A Blind Wine Tasting Game
Sommify is a blind wine tasting board game for everyone! Players take turns guessing mystery wines in an atmosphere reminiscent of a party game, all while accidentally learning how to blind taste like a Sommelier. Shop: Sommify.com
2019 Kenefick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc ($30)
This medium-bodied wine boasts aromas of passion fruit, guava, lime zest and kaffir lime leaf on the nose. Tropical fruit notes and a crisp grapefruit profile support the tangy acidity making for a clean and refreshing taste. Shop: Kenefickranch.com
2016 Kenefick Ranch Pickett Road White ($24)
The aromatic profile is made up of anise notes, floral essence, honeydew melon, and citrus blossoms. All of this is underlined by a rich grapefruit, white peach presence on the entry. A creamy middle palate supported by a crisp finish. A truly delicious wine from the first sip. Shop: Kenefickranch.com
Elouan Wines
Elouan Wines is a partner of Trees for the Future, and through the “Enjoy a Bottle, Plant a Tree” initiative Elouan and Trees for the Future have already planted over 605,798 trees together. With every bottle or glass of Elouan Wines sold through May 31st, a tree will be planted through Trees for the Future’s program with farmers across the globe. Elouan, meaning “good light”, refers to the longer days and abundance of sunshine in Oregon. Elouan achieves complexity, richness, and consistency through fruit from Oregon’s premiere Western vineyards which harmonize beautifully when blended together. Partnering with Trees for the Future will allow this wine to pay tribute and give back to the environment in which it was created. Elouan’s portfolio includes Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Klamath’s Kettle Reserve Pinot Noir and Missoulan Wash Reserve Pinot Noir. Visit Elouanwines.com to find out where to purchase Elouan. Readers can save $5 when purchasing Elouan through Drizly with the code GOODLIGHT.
Carmel Winery
A great value to watch for is the Selected Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. It’s the best- selling series in Israel. This dry red wine from the hills of Shomrom possesses a fruity, refreshing character. It features aromas of red and black plums and coffee. SRP $9.99
One of Perets’s top recommendations comes from Carmel’s Private Collection, which only recently debuted in the United States market. The Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 was crafted from grapes from the famed Galilee region and aged for eight months in oak barrels. It is rich, fruity, and full-bodied with aromas of dark fruit, plums, and oak. This wine has been named best value winner year after year in Israel. SRP $14.99
Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 was produced from grapes grown in the Upper Galilee and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. This wine series is from among the best grape growing regions in Israel. The region produces wines of a distinct flavor and character. This dry red is a full-bodied wine with a long finish and distinctive aromas of blueberries, cassis, and eucalyptus. SRP $24.99 Learn more: Tasting Notes Carmel Wines. Shop: Kosherwine.com
Cavit Prosecco Rosé
Cavit Wines has officially launched their newest varietal, Prosecco Rosé just in time for the spring and summer season. Last year, this category of wine was approved by Italian government (DOC, which manages all Prosecco production and the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies; National Wine Committee – source Food & Wine) which means consumer can expect to see this pink bubbly beverage on stores shelves soon. Cavit’s Prosecco Rosé is hands down going to be the drink of the season – perfect for any occasion. The Varietal is made with Glera grapes blended with Pinot Noir and once blended, goes under a second fermentation in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks, in order to develop its characteristic perlage and delicate bouquet. Consumers can expect a refreshing strawberry and raspberry taste with persistent bubbles and a smooth finish. Cavit’s Prosecco Rosé pairs perfectly with anything from fried foods to creamy risotto, chocolate, cheese and even barbecue! $14.99 MSRP 750ML. Images courtesy of Cavit Wines.
What are your favorite spring wines? Leave a comment below!
