Springtime is upon us. The weather is slowly getting warmer and warmer, and soon those heavy winter sweaters will be a memory of the past. And like it or not, bathing suit season is just around the corner. After many a hearty winter second helping, some Spring veggies is just what the doctor ordered! It’s time for a Spring cleansing, to get rid of those extra pounds which helped warm us up during the cold winter months. March is a month which sees the budding of wonderful Spring fruits and vegetables, as well as one of our favorite fruits – wine grapes! So enjoy the seasonal harvest and add some wine to your diet as well – in moderation, it actually can help you along your calorie counting journey! Fresh Peas - Dogajolo Toscano Bianco Igt You’ve probably eaten frozen peas from the supermarket, but have you ever tasted fresh peas? This Spring is your chance. Fresh peas give off an explosion of flavor with that fresh sensation of ripe greens. The difference between fresh and frozen will astound you. They seem like different vegetables. The best wine pairing for fresh peas is something exuberant, young and fruity – a Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano Bianco. This wine has a delicate structure which can easily pair with fresh peas eaten on their own or in pasta dishes. Asparagus - Farnito Brut o Chianti Classico There are two great pairings for fresh wild asparagus from the field. One is a spumante (sparkling wine) and another is a full-bodied red wine. Asparagus is usually a difficult food to pair with wine due to its intense flavor. Asparagus Risotto for example is a great dish to pair with a Farnito Brut, whose sapid qualities work perfectly with the sweetness of this veggie. If you are cooking asparagus in an egg based dish or with red meats, the best pairing would be a Chianti Classico, or any Sangiovese grape based wine. Fava Beans - Valcolomba Vermentino della Maremma Toscana Fresh fava beans are a favorite Spring treat, and in Italy symbolize the oncoming of the warmer season. This veggie tends to be a bit more on the sweet side and is best paired with a “Spring-like” wine. A Vermentino is a great pairing as it is balanced, fragrant, fresh and it boasts surprising notes of exotic fruits, yellow flowers. Nevertheless, it remains a dry, non-aromatic wine. If you really want to do this pairing right, add Pecorino cheese to the mix and eat your fava beans fresh, paired with a bit of cheese. The sapid taste of the cheese mixed with the sweetness of the fava bean and the aromas of the wine will make for an unforgettable Spring!