With the recent sunshine, warm temperatures and blossoms, we should be in the mood for spring wines.
These are wines that are flavourful, floral, and fruity. And they should also be light and refreshing. This week, I’ve selected three affordable whites that really fit the bill.
First, let’s unscrew a wine you’ve probably never tasted or heard of: The Laurenz V. 2014 Singing Gruner Veltliner ($17.99). The name Grüner Veltliner literally means green grape from the village of Veltlin in the Tirol in Austria.
Part of the reason it’s uncommon is the problem that English speakers have with pronouncing the name. But that problem has recently been addressed. Some retailers and even producers, call it Gru-Ve. Isn’t that a groovy name?
Labels often wax poetic about the wine’s characteristics. But the Laurenz V.’s label is very accurate: “Gruner is best described as having elegance and finesse, a floral perfume with a refreshing zip, hand in hand with distinctive fruity character and a rewarding finish.”
In general Grüner Veltliner produces very refreshing, tangy wines with white pepper, dill, and fruit whether it’s melon, pear, peach or lemon. The wines are spicy and interesting and this is because of the grape’s own intrinsic qualities. Unlike Chardonnays, the great majority of Gru-ve’s see no new oak. Oak can often mask the subtleties of a grape’s character.
Why is the Laurenz V. called “singing?” I guess you’ll have to try it to find out. You might sound like Julie Andrews, out in the Austrian Alps in The Sound of Music. “The hills are alive….!” On sale at $2 off until April 30.
My second pick for spring is the Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée ($12.49). This inexpensive Aussie bubbly is light and effervescent. That’s similar to the mood you feel in spring when you get up to a sunny day with the bouquet of flowers and blossoms in the air.
I enjoyed the Jacob Creek’s apple bouquet and its lemon meringue and light cranberry flavour. Although it is brut or dry, it is not as bone dry as Champagne. Nor does it have the premium sparkler’s minerality or price! But it’s creamy texture is somewhat like a Champagne and very enjoyable. Chill for two hours before gently popping the cork. Great to toast the season and to enjoy at brunch or at a picnic lunch. “Put another shrimp on the barbie, mate!”
My final choice for spring is the Louis Latour Ardeche Chardonnay ($16.49). Latour is a famous Burgundian negociant whose white and red burgundies are world famous. Latour’s centuries of winemaking expertise filters down to this entry-level Chardonnay. The grapes are grown not in Burgundy where land is expensive but nearby in the Ardeche region, south of Burgundy, where land is cheaper.
If you like Chardonnay but have never tried a French Chardonnay made in the Burgundian style, the Latour Ardeche would be an excellent start.
Eric Hanson is a retired Richmond teacher and local wine expert
