Wine for Mothers' Day - Grilling
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who grill asparagus, and those who don't! Either way, now's a good time to start stocking up wine for spring and summer grilling, and Mother's Day is no exception.
Wine for Mothers' Day - Grilling
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who grill asparagus, and those who don't! Either way, now's a good time to start stocking up wine for spring and summer grilling, and Mother's Day is no exception.
With spring vegetables over the flames, it's important to have wines that complement their herbal, grassy, and intensely green flavors. Although grilling helps mellow out the sulfur compounds that can make those veggies bitter, you still need to take some care with the wine - some of the more obscure grapes are just perfect!
I think a soft Chenin Blanc, with notes of basil, melon, and a touch of sweetness, makes an excellent match. You can find South African Chenin Blancs in the $10-$15 range. Indaba is a good brand. The Austrian Gruner Veltliner (GROO-ner velt-LEE-ner) grape has become a popular alternative in the last few years, and has a mellow, creamy finish that's very satisfying. I just ordered a case for my cellar this morning.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the classics for this time of year, but I'd advise you to steer away from New Zealand for this meal, and stick with California, Chile, or France. The vast majority of the Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand have too much acidity and grapefruit, which will clash with the smoky, mellow grill notes. Look for wines described as 'grassy', 'herby', or 'minerally'. Fieldstone from the Alexander Valley is a great value in this style.
If you're serving something with a little more spice, then consider a Gewurztraminer (ge-WURTZ-tra-mee-ner) from France, California, or Washington. They come in a range of sweetness levels, but finish with a zippy, zesty, spicy feel. Gewurztraminers from Columbia Winery and Hogue are both widely available in the $9-$13 price range.
For the red-wine fans, this is the perfect time to crack open an old-vine Zinfandel or a dry, chilled rosé - I'll have more to say about the pink stuff next month, but it's a great choice for salmon or pork chops - and the wine stores are just now getting their selections in. There are plenty of good choices on the shelves for less than $15. Old-vine Zin is my wine of choice for barbeque sauce; it's got a medium body, plenty of peppery and smoky notes, and a long, smooth, feel in the mouth.
Whichever you choose, make sure to pour mom's glass first, and take care of the dishes afterward!
Cheers!
