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Springtime wines are light and sexy

Posted on Mar 01, 2014 in Wine , Jim Shirley , March-April 2014

At the first sign of spring it’s time to shift out of heavy winter clothes and heavy foods, and into some lighter wear and fare. To accompany this, I would like to recommend some light white wines. Many great choices are now available — wines we never heard of a few years ago are now part of our daily wine vocabulary. Torrontes, Albariño, Verdejo and Moscatel — all sound sexy. They drink light and are ready to drink from Spain and Argentina.

Torrontés — Argentina’s top white wine.

Fragrant — aromatics rather like Viognier. I’ve found that flavors of lychee nut and citrus abound in this wine.

Verdejo — Similar to the ubiquitous Pinot Grigio, although this Spanish wine usually has bit more citrus and acid, which makes it a great food wine.

Albarino — Peach and apricot flavors can be expected of this mildly acidic light white wine. This Spanish wine makes a perfect complement to seafood.

Moscatel — Never heard of it? Well, it’s the number three white wine sold in the USA, mostly as a sparkling wine, as in Asti Spumante. I like the Spanish rendition without bubbles and just a trace of sweetness.

Springtime wines are light and sexy

Below are a few selections

from these grapes:

Torrontés — Crios from Argentina

Albarino — La Cana from the Rias Baixas area of Spain

Moscatel — Botani from Spain

Verdejo — Agricola Castellana from Spain

Some standard bearers (whites):

Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc — from New Zealand

Inama Soave Classico — from Italy

Russiz Superiore Pinot Grigio — from Italy

Kung Fu Girl Riesling — from Washington, USA