In many areas, the spring season has begun to show its colors. In my backyard, the grass is green and flowers are starting to bloom – there are even tiny blossoms on our peach tree. There have been days when I’ve been able to sit outside for a few hours reading, having wine and a good conversation with friends, or enjoying a bit of happy hour with appetizers and drinks before dinner. Sunshine, warmth, good friends, food and wine? I’m ready for more of all of this!
A week or so ago, I was inspired by a friend to put together Grape Experiences |Spring Happy Hour playlist on Spotify. Yes, we all know that music pairs with wine and food, too! The link to my playlist follows – save it to Spotify and enjoy listening while you’re sipping a few exceptional wines (sent as samples) profiled below. Each exudes the vibe of a promising new season.
Grape Experiences |Spring Happy Hour Playlist on Spotify
Spring Wines for Happy Hour (and Beyond)
Straight from Prosecco DOC in northeast Italy is Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Prosecco ($19). Lovely aromas and flavors of white peaches, snappy citrus, lush fruit, and green apples were such a delight to experience one warm spring afternoon. The bubbly is an easy sipper by itself or with light appetizers. At a mere $19, this is a sparkling wine that should always be chilled and at the ready!
Wines from Smith-Madrone in St. Helena never cease to amaze – if you haven’t had the chance to try them, do so now! How about happy hour sips of Smith-Madrone 2021 Estate Chardonnay ($45) for starters? Of 100% Chardonnay cultivated on dry farm parcels atop Spring Mountain at 1900 foot elevation on slopes at 30%, the wine fully expresses the terroir and the skill of Stu & Charlie Smith, owners and winemakers. Intense aromas of orange blossoms, white pepper and ginger led to a palate rife with mouthwatering acidity and plenty of structure. Notes of fleshy white stone fruit, more subtle ginger and juicy citrus were lush and satisfying. The wine’s lingering finish was just what I needed on a sun-filled, breezy spring afternoon.
It was a toss up to decide which was more striking – the hexagonal bottle shape of Gassier Le Pas du Moine-350 ($35) or the fragrant lavender beginning to bloom in our garden. We chose the bottle design that is inspired by the Sainte-Victoire Mountain in Provence and the six generations of Gassier winemakers. By all accounts, the bottle’s edges reflect the mountain’s silhouette and the engraving “1982” indicates the founding year of Maison Gassier.
Now the rosé… A refreshing blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Vermentino offered mesmerizing aromas of citrus, papaya, passionfruit and bright red berries. On the palate, I found lemon, juicy fruit, and lip-smacking acidity. The wine was matured in concrete vats for 2-4 months before bottling. We sipped the rosé with a plate of melon, cured meats, and goat cheese with fig jam. I’m ready to pour another glass!
When I look for a high quality Pinot Noir, I always pull a bottle of Merry Edwards wine – each reflects the terroir of various parcels in Sonoma County and never disappoints. Merry Edwards 2022 Richaven Pinot Noir ($80) had exactly what it took to please fellow Pinot lovers one late afternoon. The wine was aged for 9 months in 56% new French oak barrels before bottling. What a beautiful wine… Aromas of subtle perfume, floral aromas of roses, and oak, vanilla, and sweet tobacco wafted from the glass. Balanced from the first sip to the last, flavors of oak, bright red fruit, cocoa, and savory spice were framed with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. This Pinot was mouthwatering with our happy hour treats of gougeres and mini-quiche bites.
Add the Grape Experiences | Spring Happy Hour playlist to your Spotify collection and open a bottle or two of these wines. Happy Spring indeed!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Note: Follow my friend Genevieve at The Château House – she inspired me to put together the playlist mentioned above. Her own Château House|Cocktail Hour collection is a delight! Check out her French inspired site HERE.
