Craft & Cork >> Wine

The month marks the official return of Spring. We flip forward into daylight savings mode and get prepped for more sunshine in our lives. Many of us also take the occasion to reset and refresh. That means a good spring cleaning, opening the house for more get-togethers and prepping the barbecue for outdoor grilling – even if we’re forced to dust off a bit of stubborn snow in the process. The arrival of spring also, we’re happy to report, marks an opportunity to freshen up our go-to wine lists to sync with the soon-to-arrive, outdoor-entertaining season.

Spring brunch: Who doesn’t love it? A table set with salads, light fare, spring blooms and a light and bright wine options. Our Australia Gewurztraminer Riesling style is a great white to suit this moment with its balance of citrus, floral and honey flavors. 

When the mood is more casual-fun versus formal, our Orchard Breezin’ wine styles like Green Apple Delight, White Sangria and Tropical Lime are spot-on. The first features crisp, tart apple flavors and is a true crowd-pleaser. For the second style, White Sangria, pour it in a pitcher with ice and fresh berries to match its juicy peach, apricot and orange essences. And if you’re wanting to channel a spring-break mood at your lunch, Tropical Lime is a style that blends coconut and citrus flavors for beach-vacation inspired enjoyment.

Brunch guests and gathering aside, if you’ve done a complete, attic-to-basement spring-cleaning day, a glass of any of the above would also hit the spot as you put up your feet and appreciate a job well done.

A lovely pink wine, like our Chilean Pinot Noir Rosé style, also suits brunch but it’s more versatile than that. If you’re celebrating the spring solstice with your favorite grilled chicken recipe, serve it alongside. Its hint of strawberry jam along with notes of fresh raspberries, rhubarb and flowers are a great match. 

If you’re more in the mood for steak and burgers, the Italy Super Tuscan and Italy Amarone styles from the En Primeur series can’t be beat. The Super Tuscan nods to the iconic reds that it’s named for with its assertive personality – imagine earthy, raspberry and vanilla aromas with intense flavours such as blackberry and black pepper, plus firm tannins. 

The Amarone style nods to another Italian classic. Our version boasts a spicy nose with black cherry, tobacco, coffee and a hint of licorice. At its heart, you’ll taste dark fruit, leather and pepper notes.

With its smooth, velvety tannins, it’s an ideal sipper to enjoy alongside smoky ribs, or simply on its own as you prep for that first spring night of barbecuing. 

Delicious grilling aside, if you’re just happy to simply enjoy a glass of wine that speaks to the mindset of spring, consider our Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling-Gewurztraminer blend styles. Sauvignon Blanc is spring in a bottle. Out version exudes the grape’s signature notes of grapefruit and green grass. Likewise the Riesling-style blends. Our style heroes the character of those classic wines with plenty of citrus, flowers and honey and a solid balance of acidity and sweetness. Both are lovely choices to welcome the fresh air and attitude of the new season.