Spring is perhaps our favorite season for wine pairings. As we are anxiously awaiting the end of Winter, we welcome the much needed lightening up of both the wines we drink and the foods we crave. Much to the dismay of my kids, Igor Stravinsky's 'Rites of Spring' gets a lot of play around the house this time of year. Stravinsky himself once described this ballet as an exploration into "the mystery and great surge of the creative power of Spring". We feel the same way about this time of year, and hope that this month's pack will get your creativity swirling. Our 6 pack includes:
NV Maison Crochet, 'Les Blaissieres' Blanc de Blancs - Lorraine, France
Impressions: This Blanc de Blancs is a vibrant, Auxerrois-dominant cuvée that opens with refreshing aromas of crisp green apple, ripe pear, and white flowers. On the palate, it delivers a lean and bright profile of citrus zest and white peach, underpinned by a distinct limestone minerality and a creamy finish with subtle notes of warm brioche.
2024 Hasen Sprung, Gruner Veltliner 1L - Niederosterreich, Austria
Impressions: On the nose, it offers bright aromas of green apple, lime zest, and delicate white flowers. The palate is light-bodied and clean, featuring the variety’s signature savory touch of white pepper and a citrusy finish. It is an approachable, easy-drinking wine that pairs exceptionally well with seafood, shellfish, or spicy Asian cuisine. Plus, there's a liter of it!
2023 Timothy Malone, Willamette Valley Chardonnay - Oregon, United States
Impressions: Bright and high-toned, leading with punchy aromas of lemon peel, green apple, and white peach. On the palate, it displays an electric acidity balanced by a subtle, creamy texture from extended lees aging in mostly neutral oak. The finish is clean and persistent, defined by a distinct saline minerality and a flinty, wet-stone character.
2024 Chateau Haut-Rian, 'A La Fraiche' Clairet - Bordeaux, France
Impressions: Bordeaux may not be the first region that comes to mind when we think of chilled reds, but they've been producing these wines for centuries. This Clairet style offers the juicy intensity of a light red with the crisp, refreshing finish of a rosé. On the palate, expect vibrant bursts of fresh strawberry and tart red currant underpinned by a smooth, easy-drinking texture.
2024 Le Marie, Pinerolese Dolcetto - Piemonte, Italy
Impressions: This Dolcetto offers a burst of morello cherry, blueberries and blackberry, grounded by dried herbs, violets, and a refreshing acidity. It hails from the Pinerolese DOC, a tiny and often overlooked pocket of Piedmont where vines cling to steep, schist-covered slopes at the foot of the Cottian Alps. Finding a bottle from this specific region is a rare treat, as the area’s rugged terrain and limited production make it one of Italy’s most elusive and authentic viticultural secrets.
2023 Altolandon, 'Mil Historias' Bobal - Manchuela, Spain
Impressions: We are big fans of this estate and this is a rare terroir-driven example of the rare Bobal grape. Opens with aromas of bright, crunchy red fruit, balanced by savory notes of rosemary and cracked black pepper. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and energetic, offering smooth tannins and a clean, juicy finish that reflects its high-altitude origins. It skips the heavy oak to let the pure, floral character of the Bobal grape shine through.