Top Wines to Sip this Spring

Hattiesburg, MS

As the seasons change, so should your wine selections. When the warmer springtime weather arrives, your taste buds begin to crave wines that are fresh and clean. Therefore, start choosing wine for its simplicity, lightness, and crisp flavor. Our Lincoln Road Package Store staff shares the best seasonal rose, whites, reds, and sparkling wines on the blog today. Please choose your favorite from the list below, and visit our location at 2800 Lincoln Road, Suite A, in Hattiesburg, MS, so that you can enjoy your springtime selection with the first seasonal meal off the grill.

White Wine

White wines’ acidic properties lend to a crisp, refreshing quality that makes it a go-to selection during warmer seasons and best-consumed young to enjoy the freshness and fruitiness. Instead, opt for a dry white wine with a light to medium body and high acidity because they’re more crisp and refreshing. The best options with a fresher, lighter taste to pair with springtime foods, such as poultry and seafood, are unoaked wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, or Pinot Gris.

Rose wine

Rose pairs perfectly with a romantic picnic in the park or shared with friends at a luncheon. With combined characteristics from red and white wine, rose is a versatile wine not meant exclusively for the summer. As a refreshing choice that pairs well with springtime vegetables, fish, or lighter meat proteins, rose wine brings notes of flowers, citrus, and red berries. Since rose is from a vast region with various grape varieties, options are available no matter the outside weather. Light-colored roses with a 12.5% ABV or higher are likely to be dry and refreshing. On the other hand, dark-colored roses have more body and are best for chilly spring days.

Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wine is an excellent springtime variety with clean flavors and fresh acidity not meant to be part of celebrations only. Perfectly paired with light warm-weather ingredients like fresh greens and fruit, sparkling wine’s soft effervescence of the bubbles creates a palate-cleansing and refreshing experience. When looking for a sparkling wine variety for everyday use, one made in the champagne region of France can be an excellent choice. For example, Italian Franciacorta and Spanish calva are affordable, delicious alternatives to champagne.

Red Wines

Although red wine is usually a winter-time selection, warmer weather should not encourage you to remove it from the table. Instead, choosing a medium to light-bodied red with lower tannins and higher acidity can be perfect for a brisk spring day. Unfortunately, higher tannin levels in cabernets give it a heavier taste and a heartier drying effect, making it less refreshing for the spring. However, selections such as grenache, pinot noir, or tempranillo are lovely for light spring fare. On days with warmer weather, enhance lighter reds by serving it chilled slightly to bring out more subtle floral notes.

Springtime Serving Tips

Serving the perfect wine at the ideal temperature is crucial to the flavor experience. For example, you may often serve rose and white wine too cold and red wine too warm. Therefore, remove white wines and rose from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving to enhance the flavor and maintain a crisp mouthfeel. On the other hand, place red wine in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving to enhance floral flavors. Remember that over-chilled wine, no matter the color, will lose its delicate flavor notes.lin

Pairing wine with food doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Delicate, nuanced dishes, such as whitefish, match a subtle, light wine like Vinho Verde. On the other hand, heavy or complex dishes, such as lamb, bring bold wines like Bordeaux to life. No matter if you choose white, rose, red, or sparkling wine this spring, we have what you need. If you have questions, please call Lincoln Road Package Store at (601) 268-3677 or email jamiefarris@gmail.com.