THINKING SPRING WITH GREAT LOCAL RIESLING
It was a Sunday after the party. Feeling happy but hazy. What drink would feel good ““ and kick start my fondness of good old alcohol? Not a time to look-up one of those fancy-dancy Wine & Food guides ““ they don’t have a category called hazy afternoons. And a spring one in particular. So I do what I’ve always preached. Think it through. What wine would be soothing, low-keyed, maybe low-alcohol ““ with a kiss of spring? An off-dry Ontario Riesling OF COURSE! Everyone knows that. Or at least they should.
One of my faves in this category is Cave Spring Cellars, which just happens to be the wine that put local Riesling on the map, many moons ago. Cave produce a big range of Rieslings ““ some seriously good, but for this afternoon I’m not into greatness, I want simplicity. Beautiful simplicity. Which is what is coming out of my glass right now. Other situations for this gently refreshing, delicately flavoured, fun-to-sip wine are alfresco lunches, and summer daytime drinking in general. Fridge door wine for the season ahead.
Here’s the thing with Riesling ““ when it’s right for the mood it’s perfect. When it’s not, it’s just a terrible choice. Riesling may be the most mood-specific wine of all. Somewhat like a convertible, two-seater sports car. Cave also produces a sister Dry Riesling, but the 2011 vintage is a bit simple.
CAVE SPRING 11 Riesling, VQA Niagara 234583 $14.95
P.S. Would be great with Easter dinner too.
I voted Sauvignon Blanc but only because we drink enough bubbly year round that it’s not possible to associate it with one season anymore!