Inspired Seasonal Pairings

Say what? ABC means Anything But Chardonnay! Don’t get me wrong, I love chardonnay and we drink it often. Since spring has sprung, I thought it would be fun to talk about some other wine choices to usher in the warmer weather.

What is seasonal wine? Seasonal wine drinking is all about pairing a wine with the time of year, and choosing a wine that's going to complement all of the aromas, flavors and foods that are typically associated with the particular season you're in. For most of us, seasonal changes are a big part of where we live. In Kansas the past few years we have enjoyed some pretty significant seasonal changes.

First things first, you may not be like me, but I want you to be! I have very diverse tastes in wine and like to explore the myriad of different growing regions and producers throughout the global wine world, regardless of season. That being said, I think most of us have seasonal preferences. I tend to drink a bit more red wine during the cooler months and white wine in the warmer months. 

But there is no right or wrong answer here, drink what you like any time of year and with whatever foods you enjoy. If you are a seasonal wine drinker here’s some basics to hang your hat on.

Why is it that red wine is the perfect remedy for an icy winter night? The answer is quite simple: red wine tends to have a higher alcohol content and bigger body than white wine. This creates a natural thermogenic effect, which warms the body from the inside out. It also goes great with winter foods.

In spring, as the warmth of summer evolves, look to white wines, which tend to have crisp acidity, are usually served chilled, and often have lower alcohol levels than reds. There are many light-body, easy-drinking white wines to consider. We usually reach for our favorite sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio as the flowers bloom.

There are so many other varietals to consider. While not specifically on my wine recommendations today, albariño, viognier, grüner veltliner and dry gewürztraminer are great warm-weather choices. 

The wines I chose for this article are often overlooked due to lack of familiarity with the grape variety, producer or the country of origin. Enjoy the good life, try something different and leave chardonnay — at least for the day.

Guy Bower is host of The Good Life radio show airing every Saturday, 12–1 p.m. on 98.7/1330 KNSS, featuring special guests, book reviews and a wine of the week.