Spring is busting out all over. So make the best of it. Drink in the sun, the birds, and the tulips with 6 springy wines. Here’s my list, plus ideas and recipes for springy foods to enjoy with them.
Sparkling wine
It’s crisp. It’s refreshing and festive. And it totally captures the just-about-to-burst excitement of spring. Why save it for a special occasion? Pop some open and celebrate April. Pair it with:
Smoked Salmon Salad on Toasts
Chilled Cucumber Soup with Avocado and Crab
Rustic Gruyère Chive Scones
Sauvignon Blanc
Also crisp and refreshing, it’s lemonade for grownups. Plus, it’s practically perfect alongside spring salads, with their delicate lettuces, zingy radishes, and tart vinaigrettes. Also pair it with:
Smoked Salmon Salad on Toasts
Fillet of Sole with Lemon-Wine Pan Sauce
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Almost a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, it’s crisp and refreshing like the former, but a tad richer, a bit more soft and round, like the latter. For those days when the sun is shining just a bit warmer. Or you’re having a Classic Cobb Salad. Also pair it with:
Baked Chèvre with Herbes de Provence Breadcrumbs
Fillet of Sole with Lemon-Wine Pan Sauce
Chicken Paillards with Asparagus, Lemon, and Garlic
Riesling
Whether the bottle you pick is dry, off-dry, or dessert style, it’ll always be juicy, crisp, and bright. Try it with:
Dill-Poached Salmon with Herbed Yogurt Sauce
Orange Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice Noodles
Sesame Hoisin Pork Tenderloin and Carrots
Viognier and other aromatic whites
Their heady floral notes beautifully echo this flowery time of year. (Since they’re sometimes hard to find, here’s one of my favorites, although it’s a blend—Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc+Viognier.) Try it with:
Crème Fraîche Fettuccine Alfredo with Peas
Chicken Posole Verde
Rosé
When the weather is bright and green, the last thing you want is a heavy red. Enter rosé, with mild red wine flavors plus a refreshing, best-served-cold lightness. Try it with:
Spinach Salad with Chicken, Strawberries, Blue Cheese, and Almonds
Chilaquiles
A toast to spring and springy wines and celebrating what we can. May your tulips be blooming and your glass be full, always but especially now.