The wines of spring
George Balling | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 14 years AGO
We have always noticed seasonality to our own palates and as the weather warms which will happen sometime soon, we crave lighter bodied wines in both white and red. Dry Roses also become more popular, and of course the spring holidays like Easter and the accompanying brunch and dinner celebrations have wine pairings all their own. Here are some recommendations to not only enjoy as the weather breaks but also go well with your holiday feast.
The most traditional Easter meals are ham, rack of lamb and for some prime rib. When it comes to ham we prefer to roast our own on the rotisserie of our backyard grill, as opposed to the store bought smoked version. Stop by the shop or drop us an email for our favorite fresh ham recipe. Regardless of your choice though, the earthy Syrah-based wines from the Rhone Valley of France or from here in the Northwest and California will be your best choices. Syrah too is the traditional pairing for lamb dishes as its subtle meaty character does well with the gaminess of lamb.
We recommend the 2006 Estate Syrah from Balletto Vineyards in the Russian River Valley, $23. This 100 percent varietal selection is traditional cool weather Syrah offering all of the character we love in this grape from the meaty nose to the bright cherry flavors on the palate and sturdy finish that allows it to accompany a rich meal like ham. The JM Cellars Syrah made from the Columbia Valley of Washington ($30) is also a great choice. The Syrah is co-fermented with 3 percent Viognier, a white Rhone varietal, in the traditional style of the French wines. Like the Balletto, the wine shows the most common aromatic and palate profiles associated with Syrah making it a great pairing.
One final choice for you if you are hosting a special celebration is the 2004 Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside Select Syrah from Bob Lindquist in Santa Barbara, California - $41. This rich opulent wine is simply delicious and highly recommended for Easter or any of your spring celebrations. The full bodied nature of this wine too makes it a great one to pair with any of your red meat entrees.
If you are hosting a larger group for your spring get together, budgetary considerations may factor in to your selections. Here too there are many great choices, as the supply glut of wine on the market has been the force behind some compelling prices for these wines that will still offer your guests delicious choices. The Heartland Stickleback Red blend from Australia is a delicious full bodied alternative. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Lagrein and Dolcetto, the wine has all of the great fruit flavors and backbone to stand up to a big Easter meal for the crowd pleasing price of $11.
Another Rhone varietal that does well with this menu but is lighter bodied so it too pleases our palates as we move into the warmer weather of spring is Grenache. While available on its own the grape is also used in some of our favorite blends like the Cotes du Crows from Morgan Winery on the Central Coast of California. The 2009 is $15 and is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache - a great alternative to the full bodied wines discussed previously.
Also delicious and loaded with cherry and berry flavors is the Hahn GSM, $12. Also from the Central Coast of California, the component varietals are 60 percent Grenache, 37 percent Syrah and 3 percent Mouvedre. This wine is the most fruit driven of all of the recommendations making it perfect if you are preparing something more delicate like brunch dishes, and will also charm your guests throughout your warmer weather celebrations.
Finally if your party is a traditional Easter brunch some sparkling wine and some still dry Rose are lovely choices. One of our favorite dry roses is about to be released and should be here in time for Easter Sunday, the Elk Cove Rose of Pinot Noir made in Oregon, which is delicious year after year. Fermented bone dry, the wine is crisp and loaded with strawberry flavors on the palate. Modest alcohol level makes it perfect at brunch for $15.
In sparkling we recommend the Perdrier Brut or Brut Rose from the Burgundy region of France. Both wines are dry and crisp with fine Champagne style effervescence, with the Brut being highlighted by apple notes and the Rose more strawberry essence. Both are $11.
There are more choices for spring and Easter celebrations than I can fit in an article, so stop by the shop for more ideas.
If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.
George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo, and writes frequently for the on line version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.
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