Tag Archives: spring wines

Our Top 9 Spring Wines, Part II

We’re down to just a few weeks now until our local farmer’s markets will awash with brightly-colored and fresh spring produce: green peas, ramps and asparagus, magenta rhubarb, orange carrots and more. Prep for the arrival of those goodies now, friends, with our selection of spring wines that are equally as bright and fresh with flavor. Here are our remaining picks of the season’s best this year.

spring_veggiesDomaine de Martinolles ‘Le Berceau’ Blanquette de Limoux, Languedoc, France $14.99
‘Le Berceau’ translates to ‘cradle’ which in this case symbolizes the birthplace of sparkling wine. This bottle was made using the traditional Champenoise method, making this delicious, crisp and bone dry bubbly a spectacular value.

Contour Pinot Noir, Monterey, Napa & Sonoma, California $14.99
Loads of juicy strawberry and blackberry fruit with a whisper of spice on the finish – making it a perfect match with your first-of-the-season grill fare (salmon anyone?)!

Thierry Germain ‘Les Roches’ Saumur Champigny, Loire Valley, France $27.99
Hand-harvested cabernet franc from 25+ year old vines. Fruity, pleasantly funky, and completely biodynamic/organic, this bottle is pretty acidic and begs to be paired with a creamy spring pea risotto or a rich lamb dish.

Fatum Dry Spanish White Blend, La Mancha, Spain $11.99
Bursts of lime citrus flavor with ripe pear notes that gently wash over your palate. Look for hints of salt and brine to round out that tart finish. A staff favorite!

Enjoy Spring!

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Top Spring Wines!

springtablewines-blogheader Spring’s arrival brings to mind new ​beginnings: the snow banks are melting, the days are getting longer and the sun is making itself known. Just as you pack away your bulky, winter jackets and unearth your light, spring coats – your wine choices gravitate away from hearty reds that pair well with comforting stews and towards delicate, white wines that complement fresh salads and grilled fish served optimistically outside. Here are our top picks for the season! springtable-terraprima Terra Prima Blanco – Mostly Xarel-Lo, an incredibly aromatic Spanish grape with vivid lemon flavor and a bright acidity. Winemaker Carlos Esteva actually defeated a proposed mining operation next to the winery to preserve the region’s rich limestone soil. springtable-chateaupesquieterrasses Château Pesquié ‘Terrasses’ – Grenache and Syrah lend a bright raspberry and strawberry flavor with an underlying spice note and a smooth finish. Great pairing for goat cheese. springtable-borgopg-600 Borgo M Pinot Grigio – A remarkably dry Pinot Grigio, notes of honeysuckle and melon are woven through this complex yet completely approachable wine. springtable-cheverny Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Blanc – Loire’s best secret, the village of Cheverny is located two hours from Sancerre and has similar limestone and chalky soil which creates mineral, dry focused white wines. Blended with a touch of unoaked Chardonnay, this wine is Sancerre’s cousin at a very attractive price. springtable-saintpeyrepicpoul Saint Peyre Picpoul de Pinet – Long time staff favorite, such intense acidity that will match vinaigrette dressing, pair beautifully with oysters and all sorts of shellfish dishes. Super thirst quenching, also pairs well with all sorts of rich, soft cheeses. springtable-chateauvitallispouilly-fuisse Chateau Vitallis Pouilly Fuissé – Rich, dry with a hint of minerals, Pouilly-Fuissé is a wonderful pairing for lobster and grilled bacon wrapped scallops. springtable-ilcasolare Fattoria San Lorenzo ‘Il Casolare’ Rosso – A blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, light with bright acidity, great slightly chilled. Substantial enough for pizza or pasta, soft enough to pair with take-out sushi or cioppino.

PAIRING IDEA: Il Casolare Rosso & Cioppino

Cioppino, a kitchen sink of a spicy, seafood stew was created by Italian and Portuguese fisherman in San Francisco and is a perfect addition to our spring recipe line up. Stop by your local fish market, pick up some cod and mussels and enjoy this flavorful and hearty stew! Feel free to use this recipe from Serious Eats as a jumping off point, adding shrimp, scallops,  crab, catch of the day special at your favorite fish monger.

springtable-birichino

Birichino Malvasia – An interesting Greek grape relocated to Santa Cruz, California, this wine boasts an amazing aroma of honeysuckle and elderflower. Dry with a lovely pear note, this will pair well with spicy pan fried noodles.

 

Top Wines for Easter & Passover

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Spring is nearly here! At Bottles, we are always happy to help you select the perfect wines for your holiday menus, ensuring maximum holiday enjoyment with minimal stress. Our holiday display is a sampling of our favorite picks for your festivities, whether you’re serving a honey glazed ham, roasted rack of lamb or a poached cod with a sage sauce.

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Butcher’s Daughter Bordeaux (Kosher for Passover)
A Bordeaux with black cherry and raspberry that happens to be kosher, the house wine of “La Fille du Boucher” a Parisian restaurant located a few blocks from the vintner’s father’s butcher shop.

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‘Les Darons’ Languedoc
A seamless blend of Grenache and Carignan, with notes of fruit and spice from one of the most underrated regions in France. 

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Hai Cabernet Sauvignon (Kosher for Passover)
Red currants, plum, vanilla notes, and an example of a great wine that just happens to be kosher. 

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Oyster Bay Pinot Noir
A light wine with plum and cranberry notes that will meet the sweetness in ham and not overpower lighter dishes.

easterwine-domanewachauriesling

Wachau Riesling
A wine with bright acidity and hints of apricot and peach enhance the smoky, salty flavors in pork, making this a perfect Easter wine.

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Las Perdices Malbec
Plum, black olives, spice flavors with tons of bold character and a smooth dry finish.

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La Maialina Chianti
Red wine with fish? Yes! The acidity in this classic Italian red will meet the salt in your favorite fish dish, with a smooth, enjoyable finish.

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Borgo M Pinot Grigio
A remarkably dry Pinot Grigio, notes of honeysuckle and melon are woven through this complex yet completely approachable wine.

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Grinalda Vinho Verde (Kosher for Passover)
Light and tart, with a slight effervescence, a great wine with fish and sunny days.

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Happy Spring Holidays!

-Joanna