Spring Wine and Food Pairings
Whether you’re a budding sommelier or just someone who loves a good glass of wine at the end of the day, it’s always fun to pair your delicious eats with the perfect drinks. Spring speaks of picnics, fresh fruit and herbs, and vegetables beginning to thrive in homemade gardens. Let’s look at some of the best wines to go with your favorite springtime recipes.
Instead of the heavy, bold wines that make winter feel cozy and warm and that go with soups and stews, you’ll probably want to opt for light, fresh choices that go with your more spring-feeling food, such as salads and chutneys.
Capers and Syrah
Capers have a savory, briny flavor; a mix between an olive and an anchovy. Top a fish or a lamb dish with a sprinkling of capers and then pair with a peppery Syrah grown in a cold climate, such as the 2017 Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes-Hermitage. You’ll know a Syrah is perfect when it has strong structural tension, grippy tannins, and a savory finish that stays with you for an extra bit.
Chicken and Spring Veggies with Rosé
Chicken and veggies never gets old, especially when you put a fancy spin on it such as floral spices and orange zest that can’t help but remind you of blooming life. Add some pepper and acidity, and you’ll have the perfect combination to go with a slightly peppery rosé such as the 2020 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence. This creamy wine will make you sigh with delight.
Croquettes, Charcuterie, and Sicilian Red
Who doesn’t love a Sunday Funday with finger foods and friends? Add an exquisite bottle of wine and it’s the perfect recipe for an unforgettable spring get-together. Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean you have to forgo the red wine, either. Just choose a midweight, elegant wine that has floral, herbaceous qualities like the 2017 Tornatore Etna Rosso.
Smoked Fish and Salad with French White
Fish is light, airy, and goes perfect with a salad full of fresh fruits and veggies. When your plate has notes of sage, honey, lemon, and salt, as well as sweet notes such as apples, pears, or passion fruit, you’ll want a savory wine with a honeyed profile such as the 2018 Clos Lapeyre Jurançon Sec. Wines like this should be dry and powerful with a unique aroma.
Veggie and Cheese Tart with Grüner Veltliner
Pizza doesn’t have to be heavy and meaty. Create a pizza-like tart with fresh spring veggies like asparagus and fava beans and a rich, exquisite cheese such as ricotta. A Grüner Veltliner, such as the 2018 Nikolaihof Hefeabzug, is reminiscent of the first signs of spring.
Final Thoughts
Spring is a time of new beginnings, fresh foods, and a lightness of heart. All of these can easily be combined no matter the occasion, the company, or the menu. Whether you enjoy whites, reds, or sparkling rosés, there is a perfect spring wine to uncork and enjoy. If you are in Napa Valley looking for the most beautiful wineries in Napa, you have to check out ELLMAN. ELLMAN is led by winemaker Andy Erickson as one of the premier family-owned wineries in Napa. If you are interested in seeing what makes Andy Erickson wine so special, check out an ELLMAN Napa tasting room to try the wine yourself. To learn more about ELLMAN, one of the oldest family-owned vineyards in Napa Valley, check out our website here or get in touch with us today.