Which is your favorite wine for spring time?
THE tulips on Park Avenue are blooming in gorgeous yellows, pinks and reds, confirmation that spring has finally arrived in New York City. My own seasonal signpost is an annual thirst for German rieslings.
Usually in spring I find myself drawn to the filigreed, finely etched rieslings of the Mosel, as delicate as the petals of those Park Avenue tulips.
So wrote Eric Asimov in the New York Times yesterday. Do your preferences change with the season? What kind of wine are you craving or drinking right now?
I agree with the dry riesling selection since I just ordered a bunch of them earlier this week. Gruner Veltliner from Austria is also fun this time of year, as is the Basque Txakoli and some whites from the Loire. And with this warm weather we’ve been having recently, can rosé be far behind?
Related: “Impossible food wine pairings: artichokes!”
(image)
On April 24th, 2008 at 8:13 am ,Doug Smith wrote:
Agree with you about Txakoli. It’s actually spelled with a “k” since there is no “c” in the Basque written language. There are no accents either, which messes people up, since in Spanish the wine is called “ChacolÔ with an accent on the final “i”.
Ah the wonders of language!
On April 24th, 2008 at 8:15 am ,Martin wrote:
Three constants all year long: Loire Chenin Blanc, Mosel Riesling, and Cru Beaujolias. Spring just makes me want more Riesling where fall makes me want Chenin Blanc. Spring also brings fresh-off-the-boat rose, which are as fresh as beautiful as spring tulips. I guess I have a style of wine I like to drink all year, but more richness in my reds and whites in the late fall and winter (like a Chassagne-Montrachet or Langhe Nebbiolo) where as I’ll go for lighter variations in the spring and summer (Chablis or Bonarda).
On April 24th, 2008 at 8:36 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Thanks, Doug, corrected! Now if only I could get a Basque font on this web site…
Sounds great, Martin!
On April 24th, 2008 at 10:43 am ,Rich wrote:
Tocai Friulano, Vernaccia, Roussanne, Arneis and Vino Nobile. My preferences do change a bit with the weather, though Southern California has less variation than many other places (so I just adjust the air conditioning level sometimes for a change of pace).
On April 24th, 2008 at 10:46 am ,Viinipiru wrote:
Well Helsinki style spring requires a bit heavier stuff than rosé, which I happily reserve for July (especially Tavel that is). My weapon of choice for this nascent spring would be fresh Barbera from Piemonte or a kabinett style Riesling from Mosel…
ps. Just returned from Northern Lapland and it was minus -28 celsius (-18F) and the only imaginable drink was pocket warm vodka with ice:)
On April 24th, 2008 at 10:47 am ,Melissa A. Dobson wrote:
The tulips are just gorgeous! Makes me miss NYC like crazy, although things are great here in the Finger Lakes too.
My tastes and wine cravings are definitely seasonal. I get thirsty for more dry whites, especially Riesling, and roses as the weather warms up and drink reds more frequently in the cold weather.
I do like to mix it up, but noticed this seasonal preference. It’s interesting to see that others notice a shift in preference as well.
On April 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm ,bb wrote:
Springtime in Chicago usually calls for something pretty hearty, like Zin. This week we have been lucky and I could see pouring a glass of an Alsatian Gewurtz when I get home tonight.
On April 24th, 2008 at 12:51 pm ,JDWebster wrote:
Aaaahhh….Spring. What won’t I drink in the spring…. 😉
I really like Gavi di Gavi, Anjou, Aussie Riesling, Gruner, Torrontes, and “Fruity” white blends like Brooks Amycas, Sokol-Blosser Evolution 9 etc…
On April 24th, 2008 at 4:12 pm ,Richard Shaffer wrote:
Sauvignon Blanc – all year long!
On April 25th, 2008 at 7:10 pm ,ted wrote:
when the warm weather hit I went for picpoul w/ olives and salami and a dry, flowery gruner veltliner.
On April 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm ,warren wrote:
Loire valley whites, lightly chilled Beaujolais and British Columbia Chenin Blanc (I’m in BC so it’s available).
On April 27th, 2008 at 11:19 pm ,miki bowditch wrote:
Spring has well and truely sprung in the Languedoc. The almonds are ripening, the green and slightly pink leaves have arrived on the vines and the cherries are small green balls.Housemartins have escaped the cold in the south, and the jasmin fills the air.Paradise!
If you are visiting us soon,and wish to find vineyards to visit,have a look at this directory
http://www.aude-vie.com
Roll on summer…..
Miki :-0
On April 28th, 2008 at 3:38 am ,Joe Vuckovich wrote:
ted – Where do you find 100% Picpoul, and what are some good producers?
On April 30th, 2008 at 8:18 pm ,ainsley wrote:
Hands down – Viognier.
All that floral fruitiness ushers in images of Bambi and Thumper, blissful evenings in the sticky dew of Central Park summers, and firefly delight.
Two of our favorites are Zacherle Viognier from Napa and Protero Viognier from Australia. Total bliss.
Dr. Vino – let me know if you’d like me to have a bottle sent to you! Would love to indulge your springtime wine cravings!