Pairing wines with a season is a fulfilling experience for many. After the heavy reds of winter, lighten up your glass with these gorgeous white wines that feature floral aromas such as citrus blossom, white flowers, honeysuckle and jasmine. I took a stroll through Seaside on the lookout for early signs of spring and was delighted with the variety of flowery wines from around the globe available in our fair town.
Floral notes tend to be secondary aromas (primary being stone fruit, citrus fruit and orchard fruit). So I find that wines with these floral characteristics are more complex and enjoyable. ‘Floral’ should not be confused with ‘sweet’ (containing residual sugar), as many of the wines listed below contain very little residual sugar and are therefore considered dry. These intensely aromatic wines can overpower more delicate cuisines, so you’ll want to select a more highly flavored dish to accompany your floral wine for maximum enjoyment.
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The bouquet from Bud & Alley’s
Marc Brendiff, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France- A classic and lush chenin blanc that is pale gold in color with a nose full of white flowers, pear and grapefruit.
Yalumba Y Series, Viognier, South Australia- This silky wine features aromas of honeysuckle, ginger, jasmine and mandarin orange.
Alamos, Torrontes, Salta, Argentina- Bright floral aromas jump out of the glass with orange blossom and jasmine along with citrus and peach in this crisp white.
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The flowers of The Great Southern Café
Alois Lageder, Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy- From one of the most prominent names in pinot grigio this wine is a brilliant straw yellow and has expressive aromas with flowery and spicy notes.
The Curator, Swartland, South Africa- This fruity and silky wine is a blend of chenin blanc, chardonnay and semillon featuring aromas of stone fruits, lemon candy and flowers.
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Florals to buy at Modica Market
Conundrum, Proprietary Blend, California- A California beauty with an intriguing nose of green apples, tangerine and honeysuckle, this wine has an exotic pallet and a round mouthfeel.
Baladina, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain- This Spanish classic is zesty, elegant, crisp and dry with earth notes and pleasant floral aromas.
There are many beautiful floral wines to choose from here in Seaside. Celebrate the spring season and taste the bouquet. Cheers!
Karen Granger is passionate about wine and food. As a sommelier she researches wines available in northwest Florida, and encourages people to expand their knowledge of wines and find their next favorite.