April Holy Communion Picks
If you’re anything like us, then you’re rejoicing for this time of year. Yes it’s warmer out, but what impresses us most is the abundance of vegetables cropping up at the market, and the cheery moods that accompany the sunshine. The parade of holidays has started its slow march, as well: Purim, holi, Ramadan, Passover, Easter, Mother’s Day…
There are so many reasons to call your closest friends and loved ones, and gather around the table with a meal and a bottle of wine. Here are our picks for the perfect duos for Springtime celebrations:
Mongarda Prosecco di Valdobbiadene 2021
Just south of the Dolomites is an area of Italy that’s filled with rolling hills and lush greenery. Good new for us - they also make wine here in Vadobbiadene. This is perhaps one of the most-well known homes of Prosecco, but we’ve found that the smaller producers are just as worthy of exploring.
Mongarda, which is run by Bruno Tormena and family, produces this Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, which is savory and full of wildflowers. It has a hint of green apple and orchard pear and we love it during a spring time brunch.
Early Mountain Young White Wine, Vidal Blanc 2021
The state of Virginia wants you to know that it’s home to a lively winemaking culture. That’s clear, with just one sip of this Early Mountain Young White Wine made of Vidal Blanc.
If you decide to up your dinner party game and opt for a brown sugar and mustard glazed ham, look no further for the perfect wine to accompany it. With its vibrant acidity and rounder texture from malolactic fermentation, it will make you and your guests swoon.
Standing Stone Teinturier Dry Rosé 2021
Standing Stone, a Finger Lakes winery, uses the saperavi grape, which originally hails from the Republic of Georgia for its dry rosé. The grapes are handpicked and then direct pressed to extract the juice and because Saperavi is a Teinturier grape, it has red flesh, which gives the wine vibrant pink hue. Standing Stone Teinturier Dry Rosé is full of lime zest and crunchy cranberry notes, and we suggest drinking it with something just as lively, like a spring pea risotto.
Niepoort, Douro Primata Nat'Cool 2020
It is completely acceptable to have a meat and cheese platter for dinner. And when the wine is as exciting as this Niepoort Douro Primata Nat’Cool, it’s understandable that it should be the primary focus! This wine was foot trodden, before it was left spontaneously ferment, followed by a period of maceration and then 6 months of aging.
Niepoort is well-known for its ports, but we love to see the the producer Dirk Niepoort using his own innovative “Nat Cool” concept to bring together various producers. This collaboration results in a wine that is cherry forward with a waves of floral aromas. It is somehow both tannic and delicate.
