The right spring wine pairings provide a breath of fresh air to any meal. As the weather warms and the days grow longer, a nice meal can celebrate the season. And the best way to enjoy the flavors of spring is with the right wine. Here are some of the best pairings for spring:
Roasted Lamb & Brunello di Montalcino
Italian Easter celebrations usually include roasted lamb. This rich and earthy meat is excellent for any spring meal. Pair it with Brunello di Montalcino, a delightful red wine that pairs well with red meat. It has a complex flavor, often with notes of leather, brick, and cherry. Select a bottle with a strong cherry or blackberry flavor to accentuate the lamb.
Italian Easter celebrations usually include roasted lamb. This rich and earthy meat is excellent for any spring meal. Pair it with Brunello di Montalcino, a delightful red wine that pairs well with red meat. It has a complex flavor, often with notes of leather, brick, and cherry. Select a bottle with a strong cherry or blackberry flavor to accentuate the lamb.
Porcini Mushrooms & Chianti Classico
Porcini mushrooms are known for their intense woody taste and nutty undertones. They are particularly nice in a risotto dish. Try a porcini risotto with a Chianti Classico. Chianti accentuates the porcini's earthy and nutty undertones, while the mushrooms balance the Chianti for a smooth finish.
Porcini mushrooms are known for their intense woody taste and nutty undertones. They are particularly nice in a risotto dish. Try a porcini risotto with a Chianti Classico. Chianti accentuates the porcini's earthy and nutty undertones, while the mushrooms balance the Chianti for a smooth finish.
Asparagus & Sauvignon Blanc
Asparagus is one of the most recognizable spring vegetables. It has a bright, earthy flavor, so the best wines to accompany it are equally bright whites. Try blanched or grilled asparagus with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The citrus and green apple in Sauvignon Blanc complements asparagus perfectly.
Asparagus is one of the most recognizable spring vegetables. It has a bright, earthy flavor, so the best wines to accompany it are equally bright whites. Try blanched or grilled asparagus with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The citrus and green apple in Sauvignon Blanc complements asparagus perfectly.
Fava Beans & Pecorino Cheese & Vermentino
Fava beans are another popular early spring vegetable and mixing them with pecorino cheese creates a classic Italian dish that is fresh and flavorful. The dish pairs well with a dry Vermentino. The Vermentino’s bright acidity will bring out the flavors in the fava beans and the pecorino.
Fava beans are another popular early spring vegetable and mixing them with pecorino cheese creates a classic Italian dish that is fresh and flavorful. The dish pairs well with a dry Vermentino. The Vermentino’s bright acidity will bring out the flavors in the fava beans and the pecorino.
Black Cherry & Chocolate & Vinsanto
Black cherries are an absolute symphony of flavors--tart and sweet. That’s why they pair so well with chocolate, which is equally complex. Black cherry & chocolate pairs well with a glass of Vinsanto for this same reason. Vinsanto, a full-bodied dessert wine, accentuates the flavors in black cherry & chocolate, adding rich notes of hazelnut, caramel and honey to an already bold pairing.
Black cherries are an absolute symphony of flavors--tart and sweet. That’s why they pair so well with chocolate, which is equally complex. Black cherry & chocolate pairs well with a glass of Vinsanto for this same reason. Vinsanto, a full-bodied dessert wine, accentuates the flavors in black cherry & chocolate, adding rich notes of hazelnut, caramel and honey to an already bold pairing.
The proper wine pairings will bring out the best in both food and wine, and spring is the perfect time to experiment with fresh, new pairings.
