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As the chill of winter melts away and the days grow warmer, it’s the perfect time to refresh your palate with wines that evoke the blooming vibrancy of spring. With the arrival of new growth, it’s no surprise that many wines share the delicate floral and herbaceous notes of the season, offering the perfect sip to accompany longer days and sunshine-filled evenings. Whether you’re hosting a picnic, celebrating the season, or simply enjoying a glass on your porch, here are some floral and herbaceous wines to sip this spring, with a few specific recommendations to help you get started.
1. Sauvignon Blanc – The Herbaceous Favorite
If you're a fan of wines that come with a punch of herbaceousness, Sauvignon Blanc is your go-to spring wine. Known for its crisp acidity and green, grassy notes, it often carries flavors of freshly cut herbs, citrus, and sometimes a hint of bell pepper or gooseberry. This wine has a natural herbal quality that perfectly complements the freshness of the season.
Recommendation:
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – A quintessential Sauvignon Blanc, with intense citrus and herbaceous notes like lime, green apple, and hints of fresh herbs. It’s fresh, vibrant, and full of spring energy.
Price: Around $25-30.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – Another classic from New Zealand, this wine has tropical fruit notes paired with fresh green herbs, like basil and grass. It’s a lively, refreshing choice.
Price: Around $15-20.
Pairing Idea: Pair with goat cheese, a fresh cucumber salad, or a simple seafood dish to let the herbaceous flavors shine.
2. Gewürztraminer – Floral and Aromatic
Gewürztraminer is a white wine with an unmistakably fragrant, floral profile. Often described as a bouquet in a bottle, it has aromas of rose petals, orange blossom, and lychee. Though it’s typically sweet, there are dry versions that can beautifully showcase its floral notes. This wine is perfect for sipping on a warm spring afternoon or pairing with dishes that have a touch of spice.
Recommendation:
Trimbach Gewürztraminer (Alsace, France) – A dry, balanced version that combines floral aromas with notes of exotic fruit and spice. It’s an elegant wine that offers a complex yet approachable drinking experience.
Price: Around $25-30.
Château Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley, Washington) – A lighter, slightly sweeter version with notes of rose petal, lychee, and honey. It’s perfect if you prefer a hint of sweetness with your floral whites.
Price: Around $12-15.
Pairing Idea: Try pairing with Thai or Indian cuisine, especially dishes with aromatic spices like curry, or go for a creamy brie cheese to complement the floral and fruity notes.
3. Viognier – A Floral Expression with Fruit and Spice
Viognier is a beautifully aromatic wine with both floral and fruity qualities. It’s known for its rich texture, offering notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, peach, and even a touch of spice. While Viognier can range from dry to off-dry, its lush mouthfeel and fragrant qualities make it a wonderful spring wine.
Recommendation:
Yalumba Viognier (Eden Valley, Australia) – This wine is rich with floral aromas like honeysuckle and jasmine, alongside notes of apricot and spice. It’s both aromatic and refreshing, with a slightly creamy texture.
Price: Around $18-22.
Domaine de la Janasse Viognier (Côtes du Rhône, France) – Offering floral notes mixed with ripe peach, citrus zest, and a hint of spice, this wine is perfect for those who enjoy a complex yet accessible white.
Price: Around $20-25.
Pairing Idea: Pair Viognier with roasted chicken, grilled seafood, or a soft cheese like camembert or brie. The richness and floral complexity will make these dishes sing.
4. Muscat – A Floral Delight with Sweet Spice
Muscat wines are some of the most fragrant out there, with powerful floral aromas that evoke spring flowers and sweet spices. The wine can range from dry to dessert-style sweet, but all Muscats share a characteristic of strong floral aromas, particularly orange blossom and honeysuckle, with a touch of herbal freshness.
Recommendation:
Moscato d'Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – A lightly sparkling, sweet wine with rich floral aromas and a touch of citrus and peach. It’s low in alcohol, making it an easy-drinking, refreshing choice for spring.
Price: Around $12-15.
Domaine des Masques Muscat (Provence, France) – A dry Muscat with fragrant aromas of flowers and a slightly herbaceous twist. This version is perfect for those who enjoy a floral wine but don’t want it to be overly sweet.
Price: Around $18-20.
Pairing Idea: Muscat pairs beautifully with light desserts like fruit tarts, or you can serve it as an aperitif with a plate of fresh spring fruit or creamy cheeses like goat cheese.
5. Pinot Noir – Subtle Herbaceous & Earthy Notes
While typically known for its red fruit flavors, Pinot Noir often has subtle herbaceous notes that make it perfect for spring. With aromas of wild herbs, violets, and sometimes a touch of forest floor, Pinot Noir offers a complexity that pairs wonderfully with fresh, herb-filled spring dishes.
Recommendation:
La Crema Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California) – This Pinot Noir is light and delicate, with floral aromas of violets and wild herbs, followed by ripe cherry and raspberry flavors.
Price: Around $20-25.
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir (Oregon, USA) – Known for its earthy complexity, this wine combines bright fruit with floral and herbal notes like rose petal, lavender, and forest floor.
Price: Around $30-35.
Pairing Idea: Pinot Noir is fantastic with grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, or dishes seasoned with rosemary and thyme, as it highlights both the herbaceousness of the wine and the fresh flavors of spring produce.
Celebrate Spring’s Blossoms with Every Glass
As spring brings new life to the world around us, it also brings the perfect wines to sip on sunny afternoons and warm evenings. Whether you’re drawn to the floral aromas of Gewürztraminer, the herbaceous vibrancy of Sauvignon Blanc, or the elegant richness of Viognier, these wines celebrate everything that’s fresh and blooming this season. So, pour yourself a glass, sit back, and let the floral and herbal notes transport you to the heart of spring.