Hip Tastes Blog

Sipping Pretty: Winning Wines for the Spring Season
filed under: Winning Wines

After a week in New York - including a couple of downright cold days upstate to give a talk at Cornell - I have to say it definitely doesn't feel very spring-like on the East Coast! But, the buds are beginning to break on the trees in NYC, and last night my pal Lesley joined me out at a fab fete at the Theory store in the Meatpacking district in a skirt, sans stockings. She froze, for sure, but kept insisting, "It's spring, damnit!"

Indeed, depending on where you are the weather is turning warmer, albeit by varying degrees. In Cali, we've been enjoying beautiful days for weeks now (including two stunningly sunny 70-degree'ers when I was in Napa for a blissful Easter weekend; The French Laundry was beyond!!). And no matter where you are, it's not too early to start drinking for warmer weather. Read on for the lowdown on my favorite sippers for spring, and here's looking forward to balmier weather in everyone's not-too-distant future.

Photo: Vines at Smith-Madrone atop Spring Mountain, Napa Valley this spring

Excerpted from WineCountry.com:

"When the weather turns warm many of us feel inclined to pursue decidedly spring-like activities. Our short list of favorites includes spending time outdoors, foraging for fresh produce at farmer's markets and seeking out new wines to pair with the season's exuberant flavors and favorable forecast. Read on for some of our favorite selections for spring, along with - naturally - advice on food pairings and occasions for sipping. Sante!

All Aboard for Albarino

This easy drinking white from northwestern Spain is quickly catching on stateside, where the cognoscenti are calling it the next Sauvignon Blanc. Produced primarily in the Rias Baixus (REE-us BY-shuss) region near Portugal, the aromatic varietal is made most often in an unoaked style that preserves its fresh fruit flavors and begs pairing with a wide variety of seafood and chicken dishes, light tapas and cheeses - i.e. perfect picnic fare..."

Posted by Courtney on April 9, 2008 07:20 AM