Hello friends! Mother's Day is tomorrow! I have some great wines for you to share with your moms.
Let's start the festivities off with some bubbly.
In the glass, the wine shows fine bubbles that just keep coming. On the nose, you get a pleasant, fruity aroma of fresh yellow apples, peaches, and a hint of honeycomb. The first sip of this wine reveals a sophisticated balance between the acid and fruit flavors. The fine bubbles entice you to another sip, and another, and another. Apple, peach, and honey meld together on your palate, and you soon find yourself smiling as you take in the symphony of these flavors.
Pair this delightful bubbly with any meal, from breakfast, to brunch, lunch and dinner.
Next up is a fantastic offering from the great folks at Segura Viudas. The Segura Viudas "Reserva Heredad" Cava.
Again, as with the La Marca, this bubbly presents fine, long lasting bubbles. On the nose, one can tell immediately that this wine has been Sur lie aged, or aged on the lees. (Lees are the dead yeast cells that convert the sugars in the wine into alcohol and CO2). A distinct bready note escapes the glass, followed by a full-bodied aroma of honeycomb, white flowers and dried apricots. On the palate, the fruit overtakes the bread or biscuit flavors and finishes with a touch of smoky spice.
Next up is one of the best Chardonnays the wine world has ever had the pleasure of meeting. For me, this Chardonnay expresses best what Chardonnay should be. I'm talking about the Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay.
This is a complex Chardonnay that shows a variety of fresh fruit aromas. Melon, pear, and white flowers dominate, while honeysuckle, lemon-lime and tangerine blossoms fill in the edges. I've always loved the way Chateau Montelena Chardonnay smells. Even before I got into the wine business, this was one of my top three favorites. Over the years, it has become the definition of Chardonnay for me. On the palate, a soft and pleasant minerality supports the apple, lemon, orange and vanilla flavors this wine presents. A healthy, yet nicely balanced amount of acidity makes this a great pairing wine, although I've only ever paired it with food once, and that was with a grilled Alaskan Halibut steak at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.
Since then, I've always enjoyed this wine by itself.
How about something a bit lighter, with a touch of sweetness? One of my favorite Rieslings is from A to Z Winery.
People usually notice its beautifully decorated bottle with a floral pattern and a honey bee. Part of the proceeds from this wine go towards bee research, so you can enjoy a delicious Riesling and know that you are helping out a good cause.
On the nose this wine shows off a medley of citrus fruits, lemon, lime, combined with a touch of white peach. There is a slight, barely noticeable honey note as well. The palate definitely supports the aromas, with lemon-lime leading the way, and the peach following up the finish. There is a slight taste of baking spice on the finish as well. The wine is not a "sweet" Riesling, but it is not dry either. I would describe it as more off-dry with a hint of fruit sweetness. Pair this with with brunch favorites such as crêpes and fruit or with a light afternoon snack to tide you over until dinner.
Lastly, how can we have Mother's Day without a nice Rosé?
I selected a delicious rosé from the Provence region of southeast France: Dom Ott By.Ott rosé.
It is a beautiful, clear pink color and has a bouquet to match. I love this wine because it offers something that other rosés typically do not: mango. Along with the mango, you will notice notes of apricot and peach, with just a hint of spice.
This is a light, yet flavorful rosé. On the palate, the wine has a nice acidic crispness to it that makes your mouth water. The mango, peach and apricot notes come through with a citrusy, spicy (ginger) finish. Pair this with just about any light dish from salads, pastas with cream sauce, to chicken and pork. I like to drink a flavorful rosé like this one with brunch, rather than the traditional Mimosa.
Price range: $23-$29