Dust off the bocce balls and picnic baskets! We've got lots of fun springtime wines to enjoy in this month's case.
Of particular note is a food-friendly Sicilian white made from the lesser-known 'Caricante' grape and a super fun light-bodied Gamay from Beaujolais.
We hope you enjoy this month’s mix! Cheers!
Sparkling
(Oregon) 2017 Argyle WV 'Vintage Brut'
Grapes: Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Notes: Great value bottle of bubbly from central Italy. Focused refreshing citrus on the palate, floral aromas and a clean, zippy finish. Perfect for lite fare, salty cheeses and simple plates of pasta.
Rosé
(Ca) 2020 Para Maria de los Tecolotes Rosé
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Notes: Tangy and red fruit-driven rosé from Santa Barbara on the Southern Cali coast.
Whites
(Alsace) 2019 Hugel 'Gentil' Blanc
Grapes: Alsatian Field Blend
Notes: Fun French/German blend with approachable complexity. The spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.
(Italy) 2020 Benati Etna Bianco’
Grapes: 100% Caricante
Notes: One of our favorite new wines for the spring season. Very nicely balanced Sicilian white: mineral-driven with a nice plump mouth weight, crisp acidity, and a touch o' salinity. Fantastic for food pairing! Enjoy this with bitter lettuces, feta and herbed garlic chicken salad.
(Spain) 2017 Miquel Pons ‘77 Veremes’
Grapes: 100% Xarello
Notes: Aromas of apples and pears, with a firm mineral backbone. Pair with scallops or halibut in a caper and garlic butter sauce. Yum.
(Oregon) 2020 Human Cellars Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Notes: Super tasty white with typical Willamette Valley characteristics from one of our newer small-batch producers. Ripe yellow apple fruit has a prominent yet soft wooded texture, pleasant vanilla aroma and balanced acidity.
Reds
(Oregon) 2017 Ruby Vineyards' Laurelwood' Pinot Noir
Grapes:100% Pinot Noir
Notes: Lovely structured local red from Ruby Vineyards. Lean on the palate with tart red berry fruit and a fun balance of earthy tannins on the finish.
(France) 2020 Le Canon de la Goulue Rouge
Grapes: Mostly Malbec, with a little Cab Sauv and Merlot
Notes: Medium bodied on the light side, ripe blue fruit, bell pepper aromas, black pepper palette. Pair with a charcuterie board and a game of cribbage. Booooom.
(Spain) 2018 Pago Casa Gran ‘Elegant’ Tinto
Grapes: Blend of Garnatxa and Monestrel
Notes: This Spanish blend checks all of the 'natural' wine boxes: organic, biodynamic, natural yeast fermented and vegan! It's also super tasty. Full-bodied, dark-fruited and easy drinking.
(France) 2018 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Notes: Elegant Italian red from the heart of Tuscany in central Italy. Beautiful earthy and peppery aromas, pleasantly wooded and chocolatey tannins, and tart red/blue fruit tones. This wine would be fun with a bolognese but could also stand up to a steak.
(Spain) 2020 Messanges Rouge Chinon
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc
Notes: Classic green bell pepper aromas upfront, nicely dense blue and black fruit, forest floor herbs. Delish.
(Oregon) 2020 Glou Glou Beaujolais 1L
Grapes: 100% Gamay
Notes: A liter bottle with a screw top! Perfect for picnicking at the park. This bottle screams spring: bright tart raspberry and strawberry fruit, light-bodied, fresh acidity. Great with a 20 minute chill in the fridge.