The right time for white wine

This article was originally published in April 2015


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As our fresh ingredients shift toward spring, it’s also time to lighten up our pairings and explore a world of well-balanced white wines. Instead of grabbing familiar chardonnay, look for these more adventurous, and absolutely delicious, options.

Félines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet

Picpoul (or piquepoul) is indigenous to the south of France and finds its best expression on the Languedoc coast. This one is a sensory sketch of its enchanting origins, racy and elegant, with soft aromas of salt air-tinged citrus and star fruit. Notes of wild fennel, gravel and cypress add bright notes of complexity,
with tangy focus as a foil to honey-nuanced richness

Cooper Mountain pinot gris “Reserve”

This lovely pinot gris is a carnival of fresh fruit aromas, with passion fruit, mango, pear, key lime, kiwi and melon erupting from the glass. Segue smoothly to flavors of perfectly ripe grapefruit, citrus peel and more tropical fruit, with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Vibrant acidity complements the lively fruit and makes this wine a great companion to a wide range of dishes, especially wild salmon.

Ontañon Rioja Blanco Viura “Ecologica”

Interesting, intriguing and as unique as its place of origin in Northern Spain. Aromas and flavors of zesty citrus wrap around a core of cool star fruit, yellow plum and kiwifruit, with a note of exotic spice that’s the hallmark of viura. Its bold texture borders on tangy and veils a robust core of well-balanced fruit. An outstanding wine and a super value.

Pallavicini Frascati

This traditional blend of Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia del Lazio, Bombino, Chardonnay and Greco grapes has a history that extends back over 1,000 years. This wine is a testament to the Pallavicini family’s commitment to that tradition, offering a lively freshness accented by notes of ripe stone fruit and orchard flowers. The rich, generous flavors are perfectly balanced with lemony acidity, making it both satisfying and refreshing.

Thorigny Vouvray

This pretty wine has everything we love about great Vouvray: it’s voluptuous but poised, with layers of honeyed white peach tinged with notes of white flowers and lemon that team collaborate with precise focus to make that richness dance on the palate. Generous, seductive and just plain gorgeous — particularly with halibut or scallops.

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