The 2 T’s for Spring Wine Enjoyment

Happy Weekend,

I feel like the spring weather is finally here (hopefully, I’m not jinxing it).

But the sunshine and warmth means we’re about to take our drinking outdoors, enjoy boozy brunches, and celebrate new beginnings.

That said, there are 2 T’s that will maximize your spring wine enjoyment!

1. Timing
2. Temperature

Timing

There’s no wrong time to drink rose and champagne.
These are the two most versatile wines. Open and enjoy whenever.

Feel free to drink last year’s rose.
This is an odd time where you might not find 2022 vintage wines yet.
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So enjoy that 2021. If it’s from a higher quality producer, it will still be fairly fresh and tasty. And you can even get it at a discount while they make way for the newer stuff.

Don’t wait for night. Enjoy an expensive morning white.
​One of my favorite wine memories happened in Vegas. I landed in town before my friends and treated myself to a beautiful breakfast at Bouchon in the Venetian.

They had an absolute amazing by-the-glass program, so I had Eggs Benedict with 2015 Dampt Freres Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses and 2015 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé “Silex.”

It was a delicious splurge on the white wines whose vibrancy set the tone for the weekend.

Great champagne or a delicious white wine is the occasional breakfast of champions.

Temperature

Get your bubbles ice cold.
You can avoid that extra fizz and embarrassing explosions if you chill your sparklers down.

**NOTE** It’s always easier to warm up a wine than it is to cool it down.

Ice cubes are OK.
​White wines or rose too warm? Throw in a few ice cubes and stir. You can spoon them out if you’re really worried about dilution.

But I have to say, Vinho Verde with ice cubes was a Top 5 wine moment for me last year. Perfect for BBQ or picnic.

Chill that red. Warm that white.
​All your wines are the WRONG temperature. An overgeneralization, but it’s a helpful warning.

Use the 10-15 minute rule

>> Whites should come out of the fridge 10-15 minutes before serving.
>> Red wines should go in for 10-15 before serving.

A nicely chilled Pinot or Gamay will do wonders for brunch enjoyment. It can be as refreshing as a nice glass of orange juice or lemonade.

And…you can throw ice in your glass of red too.

Enjoy the wine and the weather.

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Your friendly wine tutor,

Brian

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P.S. – To my friends in the Southern Hemisphere, these same rules apply any time of year. 😉