Wine and spring make a perfect match. Celebrating the arrival of the nice weather with the right glass, at the right temperature, is simply magnificent.
Heat, in fact, should not be a deterrent to savoring some of the enology masterpieces that pair perfectly with typical seasonal dishes and fruits and vegetables.
Spring is also the season of outdoor life: we start taking off coats and hats, and we stick our noses out of the house to go to our favorite bar and share an aperitif with our usual friends. So why not choose the right wine? We have some suggestions for you.
With white wines, spring is at the table.
After the cold winter (not that cold anymore), full-bodied red wines begin to give way to still white wines. The advantage of storing them in the fridge brings them back into vogue against thirst and heat.
White wines are very versatile, especially in spring, when the cuisine can range from vegetarian dishes to pasta to white meats and eggs with ease.
If what you like is saltiness and a sea sensation, Vermentino from Sardinia and Gallura is perfect for you. Also perfect in this period are the white wines from the northeast of Italy, such as Friulians (Ribolla, Friulano, Pinot Grigio) which can accompany vegetarian or cheese-based dishes. Similarly, Fiano from Campania is an excellent choice for fish.
Bubbles, sparkles, and Proseccos.
If you’ve reached spring and you still don’t have sparkling wine in the fridge, please hurry to remedy it. After the end of year holidays, during which we uncorked thousands of bottles, what better time to replenish your cellar than the arrival of good weather?
Here you have the embarrassment of choice because, whether it’s Prosecco, Franciacorta, or Alta Langa, you can’t go wrong. Sparkling wine, like the classic Italian method, also pairs wonderfully with vegan and vegetarian cuisine which in spring enjoys an incredible amount of fresh products.
Risotto with fresh broad beans and mint? Choose a Valdobbiadene Prosecco D.O.C.G with a bouquet of fresh and fruity aromas. Salmon and asparagus? Pair it with a Franciacorta Brut. You can’t go wrong.
Rosé wines: the scent of flowers is also in the bottle.
Finally, the wines that are the quintessence of spring. Rosé wines take the best of both worlds: they don’t contain many tannins, so they have a good drinkability, and they are less acidic than whites. They generally have floral and fruity bouquets and for this reason, they are exactly what everyone should look for in wine when the heat arrives. Their softer notes make them a good accompaniment for field vegetables or spicy dishes.
You can choose among the thousands of grape varieties that are vinified in rosé from north to south of Italy. The more structured ones will certainly be more suitable for Easter or fish barbecues. But with rosés, you can also pair sushi, don’t be afraid.
