Woodberry Wine’s own Kristen Pennington blogs on our March Featured Wines
When it comes to March in Michigan there are only two things I can predict; East Lansing will be a buzz with MSU basketball and the weather will be wildly unpredictable. You may walk outside in the snow one day only to leave your coat in the car the next because it is too warm with it on. Here at Woodberry Wine we have picked just the wines for this month of madness, wines that go with cold days, warm days, sunny days, rainy days, and those sad snowy days that happen just when you’re hoping it won’t snow again until the end of the year.
Embrace those longings for summer and warm weather with the fresh deliciously crisp and mineral driven 2014 Domaine Haut Bridau Picpoul de Pinet. Nothing quite says warm weather is coming or here like lemons, limes and, bits of grapefruit dancing on your tongue with a slight chalky salinity. If you close your eyes this wine will likely take you away to where it came from, the Mediterranean with sea views and beaches. A fantastic pairing for lighter dishes with seafood but also goes nicely with cheese and charcuterie plates.
For those rainy warm days where it feels just like the stereotype of spring, reach for a glass of 2013 Frey-Sohler Rittersberg Riesling. Fresh green apple, lemon zest, and white floral notes come together with mosaic of mineral composition. The ever so light residual sugar compliments the bright acidity perfectly. The server standing across the bar from me as I write this blog told me she didn’t like Riesling so I had her try a sip, her response “This is Riesling? I love it!” The beauty of Alsace is absolutely present in this delicate yet elaborate wine. A beautiful wine to pair your spring and summer dishes; things that come to mind for me are salads, seafood, mushrooms, and risotto.
On those colder overcast days, that happen more frequently than we’d like in March, we can curl up with our blankets and a bottle of 2013 Lago Red. An easy drinking red wine that will help you feel warm inside. Bright cherry notes intermingle with an array of sweet vanilla, clove, cinnamon and toasty notes that can only come from barrel aging in oak.
For those last few snow storms that always occur in March and make me say, “I thought it was Spring! Why?!” I reach for my coat and gloves and a glass of 2011 Siglo Rioja. Tempranillo done well, delicious berry flavors mild pepper notes with medium tannin structure and light toasty oak flavors are balanced to make a wine that helps you forget about those lousy sad days where winter is lingering. A great wine for heartier dishes like braised beef, ribs, and steaks yet still has enough finesse to pair well with duck dishes too.
Hopefully these wines will help you through the crazy Michigan weather in March and it doesn’t hurt to celebrate those Spartan basketball victories with them too.
Cheers & Go Green!
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