April brings the transition to spring! Finally. This also means a shift from the robust, heavy, and rich red and white wines of the winter months to those that complement the new warmer season.
As we move toward lighter, fresher, and more vibrant wines, this is the time of year when sparkling wines, crisp white wines, aromatic whites, rosés, and medium-bodied red wines begin to shine. Since we are leaving the cold and grey days behind, I feel like splurging a little this month and will focus on three white wines, including a sparkling wine, a crisp white and an aromatic white. Next month, I will showcase rosé and light red wines.
Champagne isn’t just for toasting special moments. It is one of the most versatile food wines and my favourite style of wine! Lanson Le Vintage Brut Champagne 2012 is new at VINTAGES. Lanson has been a champagne house in Reims in France’s Champagne area since 1760. Vintage Champagne is rarer and is considered superior to non-vintage Champagne. Vintage Champagne comes from grapes harvested in a single exceptional year for grape quality. Non-vintage champagnes are a blend of wines from multiple years and reflect the unique character of the particular Champagne house. Vintage champagnes are considered higher quality and can age for years after bottling. As a case in point, Lanson Le Vintage Brut Champagne 2012 is made from all the grapes harvested in 2012, making this wine 12 years old! Expect fine bubbles in your glass, aromas of dried fruit and a long, delicate finish. Serve with various foods, including hors d’ouvres, caviar, duck, smoked salmon and parmesan cheese.
For me, the perfect light, crisp white is Chablis from France. Chablis is classic and home to some of the world’s most sought-after Chardonnay wines. Located within the larger Burgundy area wine region of France, the Chablis wine region has a cool climate and distinctive limestone-rich soils. These two characteristics lead to wines with refreshing and dry minerality. The region has a reputation for its limited production and high quality. An influential producer in this area is William Fèvre. Since 1959, the winery has specialized in high-quality Chardonnay, focusing on the purity of fruit flavours, texture and complexity. William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2021 exemplifies this style. It is a fine wine that is fresh, delicate, and steely with a refined lingering finish. Serve this sophisticated white with lighter spring dishes like salads, seafood, sushi and grilled vegetables.
D’Arenberg is an esteemed winery located in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn, he named his winery after his wife, Helena d’Arenberg. The winery continues to be a leading producer in McLaren Vale, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. D’Arenberg is also recognized for creating wines from the diverse grape varieties of the region and its red-striped labels. Just released this past Saturday in VINTAGES is D’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2022. It has rich stone fruit aromas, hints of spice, and a lingering finish. Serve this aromatic wine with roast chicken, spicy Asian cuisine, shellfish and grilled mushrooms.
Whether you enjoy a glass of decadent fizz, a classic crisp white, or a flavourful rich white, springtime offers a beautiful opportunity to explore wines fit for this new season!
Cheers!
Shari 🥂
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