Springtime Renewal in the Wine World

by Jerry Hammaker

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. It is time to shrug off the cold and dark of winter, open the windows, breathe in that fresh air, and enjoy the sun’s warmth on your face.

Simple signs of rebirth surround us. Flowers press upward through the cold ground, soon coloring our world anew in the fresh, warm breeze of the new season. Birds return to their summer homes and ready themselves for a new generation.

Spring challenges us with everything new. Time to put the heavy winter clothes away, do spring cleaning, and get the yard ready for summer activities. It’s time for a change and to renew ourselves.

In the wine world, vineyards warm and buds break, hailing the rebirth of the vine. Winery tasting rooms become busy with everyone from first-time tasters looking for a good time to wine experts hoping to find a new passion in a new find. New vintages are pulled from cellars as proof of the hope of previous seasons.

The change in seasons does have people changing their normal choices of wine. Many people drink more red wine in winter and start switching to whites and rosé as the weather warms. Change and renewal are already present in most wine drinkers’ seasonal patterns. But, as they are changing from red to white, they tend to choose the same white wines as they did the previous Spring.

Recently, a friend remarked that choosing a wine in a restaurant is hard. They usually choose the same wine as the time before because they were pleased with it. Another friend says they always grab the same bottle at the grocery store because they like it, and it’s easy to grab before heading to check out. Now, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a favorite wine. But, let’s think Spring. It’s the perfect time to renew, change, and challenge yourself with the prospect of choosing a new wine.

The simplest way to change your wine choices is to pick a wine from a different wine region. This way, you don’t necessarily have to give up your Chardonnay or your Cabernet to choose a new wine. If your choice of Riesling is usually from Washington State, go to Germany’s Mosel or France’s Alsace instead. If you typically grab a California Chardonnay, why not pick a Chablis from France or an Australian Chardonnay from

Margaret River or Adelaide Hills? Cabernet, you say. If you usually find yourself pulling a bottle from Napa or Bordeaux, why not try something new-to-you from Chile?

Are you feeling a bit friskier and riskier this season? Then, go for a totally different varietal as your change for Spring. If you like a crisp, white wine to pair with your fresh oysters and seafood, pick an Albarino from Spain or a Picpoul from the South of France. Malbec, Shiraz, or Syrah is an excellent alternative if you usually drink a Cabernet Sauvignon. You can stick with a Cabernet cousin and try a Cabernet Franc instead. Viognier or Chenin Blanc would be an excellent change from your usual Chardonnay.

Don’t forget to add some color to your springtime wine selections. Grab a rosé. The next time you walk through your favorite wine shop, look for pink in shades from pale salmon to almost red. The color most always depends on how long the skins are kept in the juice. Rosé wines can be found worldwide and are made from many different varietals. So, grab a rosé made from Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Malbec, or any other bottle that piques your interest.