March has certainly lived up to its reputation – at least the coming-in-like-a-lion part. It remains to be seen if it will fade with a gentle baah or culminate in a mighty roar. Whatever the weather, the calendar reassures me it is indeed spring, which has me craving whatever’s fresh and new.
While the first of the season’s asparagus and strawberries are still a few weeks off, the fruits of another type of harvest are ripe for the picking. Inundated with wine samples, I’ve been busy tasting through a bevy of recently released bottles, many of which are first-time entries to BC. Now that’s the kind of downpour I like!
My forecast for spring includes lots of whites with the occasional fresh sea breeze, frothy pink bubble, and a red that references lamb over lion.
2014 Fillaboa Finca Monte Alto Rías Baixas ($37.99, BC Liquor Stores)
The fashionable Albariño grape, from Spain's verdant and cool-ish northwestern zone of Rías Baixas, perfectly captures the freshness of our nascent spring. Vibrant and scented, it offers nectarine, grapefruit and a touch of honey carried by a steely mineral backbone. And here’s that invigorating, salty sea breeze I was referring to.
2015 Fontanavecchia Taburno Falanghina del Sannio ($21.99, BC Liquor Stores)
Let me introduce you to another stunning newcomer. Falanghina hails from Italy’s beautiful and bountiful southern region of Campania. Think of a profuse southern Italian garden with fragrant flowers, apricot trees, and ripe herbs like mint and basil. Lots of fleshy, ripe fruit on the palate, balanced by juicy acidity.
2015 Blue Mountain Chardonnay ($20.90, winery direct)
Okay, so not new to the market (Blue Mountain is actually considered a veteran in BC), but I love this newly released 2015 Chardonnay. It’s what I call an all-season white. Round and textured, it would provide comfort in winter, yet it has that light-on-its-feet sensation you feel when spring arrives. Its creaminess and touch of peach beg for height-of-summer corn, while notes of apple and pear hint at autumn’s bounty.
Paltrinieri Piria Lambrusco di Sorbara ($21.90, BC Liquor Stores)
Like spring slowly blooming, this wine is just working its way into BC Liquor Stores, but I promise you’ll see it popping up on more shelves soon. Based on the charming Lambrusco di Sorbara grape, Piria is a unique sparkler, sporting an appealing deep-pink hue; gorgeous aromas of violets and lilacs; flavours of crunchy redcurrant, strawberry and raspberry; and a lively, mouth-filling mousse. Unmistakably dry, it’s palate cleansing, hunger inducing, and essential springtime sipping.
2014 Château la Besage Grande Cuvée Bergerac ($18.99, BC Liquor Stores)
And then there are some wines that simply go with lamb. Merlot based with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Château la Besage is a full-bodied red that refreshes rather than tires. Bright green herbs offset plum and tobacco, with vanilla and coffee nuances chiming in, and finishing with a firm grip. Unpretentious and great value for the money, it’s whet my appetite for BBQ season in a big way.
Prices exclusive of taxes.
