Will spring finally bring some much-needed joy?
It may seem like madness to be thinking of wines for spring when the sky outside is greyer than an elephant’s trousers.
As I looked outside at the gloom and the pouring rain before I struggled to remove myself from my pit this morning, a jaunty, crisp glass of white couldn’t have been further from my mind.
However, here we are and let’s be optimistic about a change in the weather and finally being able to unpack our summer clothes from the deep recesses of our respective attics.
In hospitality we are always banging on about seasonality of ingredients – wild garlic in late March and perfect lamb in spring – so we should offer the same consideration for our wines.
I’m not saying that we cast aside our rich, stonking glass of red when enjoying a roast beef Sunday roast, but we can look to something lighter and cooler across the tastebuds, especially with our reds.
Two red wines that I’ve tried recently on our Wine Wednesday recommendations spring to mind.
The Scott Base Terra Nova Pinot Noir from Marlborough (Fine Wines Direct UK, £17.99) is an elegant drop, which evokes spicy cherry fruit and a little mocha richness through the mid palate. All the while retaining its bright acidity and delicious mouthfeel. Pop it into the fridge for 10 minutes and you’ll never look back.
Having just got back from a terrific break in Berlin, the Villa Wolf Pinot Noir (Fine Wines Direct UK, £14.99) is a wonderfully juicy expression of German pinot noir, which shows lots of crisp, perfumed red fruits and refreshing herby character that is delicious with poultry, especially chicken thigh dishes.
I’m not going to jump into rosé wines just yet – watch this space – but a few white wines deserve a revisit.
Italian white wines have long been the staple for restaurant lists and an enjoyable, good value glass at home.
I’m looking at a couple here from the ‘posh’ north of the country in the regions of Tuscany and Piedmont.
The wines of Villa Cosmiana have long been a favourite of the team at Fine Wines Direct UK. Not only because Abergavenny native Sean Craig owns and makes the wine at this delightful property, but the wines have the correct balance of being quaffable and have elegance in abundance.
The Poggio Cosmiano Toscana (Fine Wines Direct UK, £17.99), is produced from manually selected trebbiano grapes and vinified in steel tanks. It shows a delicate pale-yellow colour, and is fresh and crispy in the mouth with well-defined flavours of melon, cucumber and a touch of lemon.
Another region more famous for its red wines, is Piedmont to the north of Tuscany, however there are some marvelous whites too. The winery was a dream come true for Piero and Luigi Aresca back in 1952: two winegrowers who turned a passion – born in the rows of vines of Mombercelli – into a thriving family business.
The Aresca Gavi DOCG (Fine Wines Direct UK, £13.99) is made using the cortese grape variety, which on the nose the fruity golden apple notes combine with the floral tones of and acacia flower. On the palate initially fresh and refreshing with a touch of savoury on the finish.
Just by suggesting some spring wines maybe we’ll persuade the weather gods to look kindly upon us… and give us some much-needed sun!
Neil Cammies
Former columnist for the Western Mail and is now working for Fine Wines Direct UK. Hosting tastings, building client relationships, and writing about his experiences in the wine trade.
