Enjoy a Spring (Wine) Fling
As the days grow longer and the weather starts to warm up, there is no better time to explore the vibrant world of spring wines.
Spring is the season of renewal and freshness, and your wine choices should reflect that. Whether you are planning a picnic in the park, a barbecue, a garden soiree or simply want to relax after a long day – there is a spring wine for every occasion. Think crisp and refreshing whites, rosé wines, light and earthy reds and sparkling wines.
Let’s face it: nothing embodies freshness than a crisp, dry white wine. Varietals like Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Albariño are bright and invigorating in character with a lively acidity, making them ideal for sipping on a warm day or evening and pairing with light, delicate springtime dishes such as salads, seafood, and grilled vegetables.
A stand-out white wine for spring is Semillon, and the Hunter Valley provides the ideal conditions for producing world class Semillon, where the balance and texture of the wine create a unique white style that builds and complexes beautifully with age.
Semillon is best enjoyed on a warm summer’s day with fresh fish – from Sydney rock oysters to a flavourful Ahi tuna ceviche dish. When young, serve well-chilled and the older bottles closer to room temperature.
Spring is also the season when rosé wines take front and centre stage. This pink-hued wine has gained immense popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Rosé strikes a balance between the crispness of whites and the fruitiness of reds, making it incredibly versatile and an excellent choice for springtime gatherings and picnics. Its fruity notes of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus are a perfect match for lighter fare like charcuterie boards and grilled chicken salads. Its refreshing and quaffable nature also makes it a delightful aperitif.
Don’t forget the reds!! While white wines and rosés may dominate spring wine selections, there's still room for red wine enthusiasts to find their perfect match. Choose lighter reds such as Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grenache, Cinsault or Zinfandel. These wines have a delicate structure and vibrant acidity, making them suitable for enjoying on those cool spring evenings. It’s also an excellent choice for pairing with grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or a simple cheese platter.
With a similar weight and tannin structure to light to medium-bodied Shiraz, Grenache is light on the palate and, is all about the purity of fruit and ideally served with pizza. Gamay, on the other hand, is known for its bright red fruit flavours and low tannins, making it a great match for springtime dishes like roasted chicken and seasonal vegetable tarts.
Spring is synonymous with new life and celebration, and what better way to celebrate than with a glass of sparkling wine? Whether you're toasting to a special occasion or simply revelling in the joy of spring, these bubbly wines add a touch of elegance and effervescence to any gathering, and their crisp acidity makes them wonderfully refreshing and versatile to many occasions and food choices that include shrimp and shellfish, smoked salmon, fried calamari and (of course) oysters.
Spring wines are all about embracing the season's energy and freshness. Whether you prefer crisp whites, versatile rosés, light reds, or celebratory sparklers, there's a spring wine to suit your taste. As you embark on your springtime wine journey, try something new and savour the vibrant flavours and aromas that mirror the awakening of nature during this wonderful season. Cheers to spring!
