Good Drink: What wine speaks most of spring?

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Yesterday was the most lovely day of the year, and many folks around New Brunswick got together to watch the eclipse, but also to enjoy a few drinks. The weather, and also the sprouting flowers (snowdrops and the like), made me want to enjoy a nice crisp white wine. For me, the most appropriate spring wines are based on Sauvignon Blanc.

When made from ripe grapes and using good winemaking, Sauvignon Blanc has very intense aromatics and flavours, including fruity notes (from grapefruit, lemon and apple to gooseberry, peach and passion fruit), vegetal/floral (cut grass, tomato leaf, white flowers, boxwood blossoms – which have a similar aroma to cat urine), and wet stone minerality. On the palate, it is typically fruity and fresh, light to medium body, with good acidity. These things depend largely on where the grapes are grown, but also can be encouraged using smart winemaking, such as cold soaking the crushed grapes with enzymes before fermentation, and employing specific yeasts.

These crisp, unoaked whites are excellent with seafood, as well as with chevre (goat cheese – a classic Loire, France pairing), and are perfect aperitif sippers.

Some winemakers use oak on Sauvignon Blanc, or blends (like white Bordeaux), which tends to mask a lot of the aforementioned aromatics, but can result in delicious wines. They are, however, very different and deserve different food pairings than the unoaked versions. They are good for richer dishes such as halibut or chicken, including with creamy, herbed sauce.

Here are five good value Sauvignon Blancs or blends, all from different countries, available at the ANBL:

5.  Arbolencia Sauvignon Blanc-Verdejo, 2021, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Spain,  $12.29, PC: 8437008497891

Terrific value organic wine farmed in La Mancha, this 80% Sauvignon Blanc is light, fresh and dominated by typical Sauvignon Blanc fruity and floral aromas, and for a very low price. Most of the inventory is consolidated at the Salisbury Depot. Buy 12 there and get an extra 15% off.

Sommelier’s Tip:  Serve well chilled with seafood tapas.

4. Trius Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, 2021, $20.19,  PC  048162016903

Many people don’t know that Canada makes good Sauvignon Blanc. There’s not a huge amount planted, but there are some consistent producers, like this Niagara example. It is less pungent than a typical New Zealand version, and less mineral driven than a typical Loire version, but has the citrus aromatics and freshness.

Sommelier’s Tip:  Great with spring and summer salads, especially with goat cheese and fruit components.

3.  Atanga Sauvignon Blanc, 2022, Marlborough, New Zealand, $23.30, PC 057496013625

This stands out on the shelf with its pretty label, and the wine has pretty aromatics to boot, including classic leafy notes as well as gooseberry and citrus. It’s slightly cheaper than most NZ Sauvy too. It has a typical crisp, fresh finish.

Sommelier’s Tip:  Great with grilled or pan fried white fish, such as haddock or cod.

2. Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc, 2022, Mendoza, Argentina, $16.99, PC: 836950000087

It’s nice to see more Argentina SB (ANBL has had the slightly oaked Norton for quite a long time – it’s nice too) and this wine from Doña Paula hits the spot with its citrus and tropical fruit and herbal gooseberry aromas and flavours, bright acidity and crisp finish.

Sommelier’s Tip:  Great for drinking as a sipping wine outside on a warm day.

1. Famille Bougrier Sauvignon Blanc, Pure Vallée, Vin De France, $16.99 (down from $18.99),  PC 3172258008026

Excellent value for a crisp, mineral and grapefruit driven, Loire SB. Very fresh.

Sommelier’s Tip:  Serve with simple goat cheese and basil on a baguette. Yum!

Cheers!
Craig

Craig Pinhey is a Sommelier and freelance writer. Check out his FB page: www.facebook.com/craig.pinhey or follow on Twitter @frogspadca or Instagram @brufrog