10 Wines to Celebrate Daylight Savings

This weekend we move the clock back to celebrate a new season, sunshine and sunsets.  Daylight savings takes place in 2022 on Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 AM.  With the new season comes lighter foods, backyard BBQ's, outdoor gatherings with friends and a need for different varietals of wine than what we enjoy in the fall and winter. Here is a list of wines from Merchant of Wine buyer Ian Blackburn to enjoy during all of those special spring moments and with the changes in cuisine.

1.  ALLAN SCOTT, SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND, 2021

This wine is perfectly paired with fish, vegetables and lighter sauces.  It was selected as the #1 top value (top 100) in the Wine Spectator.  This effort takes me back to yesteryear when New Zealand wines were being discovered.  The smell of bright grapefruit and a visit from a cat in the glass (cats pee is the nose reference but that is very unhygienic - so I say a visit from a cat).  This classic reference is seen as complimentary and part of this wines charm and complexity. 

2.  ALPHONSE MELLOT, LA MOUSSIÈRE SANCERRE BLANC, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE, 2020

Crisp and fresh Sauvignon Blanc is pleasurable to sip as the weather warms!  La Moussiere from Alphonse Mellot is a winner.  This modern producer shows off great fruit quality and absolute elevation in winemaking.  My top pick for wine of the season.

3.  KRUTZ FAMILY, SAUVIGNON BLANC, BECKSTOFFER-MELROSE VINEYARD, NAPA VALLEY, 2020

This wine is bolder and richer than the prior 2 Sauvignon Blancs. Absolutely stunning wine from KRUTZ Family;  Beckstoffer’s Melrose Vineyard delivers a beautiful wine that would be OPTIMAL with a fish or chicken with capers or olives.  Only 200 cases of this wine were produced - do not miss this wine.

4.  STARS & DUST, ROSÉ OF MOURVÈDRE, SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, 2020

You can't have a warm weather wine list without a rosé. There is such an array of styles that Rosé truly is a year round option, butnothing goes better with this spring moment than an optimal Rosé.  I only get one case of this tiny micro producer but once it is gone we will find another. Don’t be left without your share of STARS and DUST - from one of the co-founders of Liquid Farm - this gorgeous bottling is my pick and discovery.  

5. BODEGAS CAPITA VIDAL, BRUT NATURE CAVA, PENEDES, SPAIN, NV

I LOVE this wine - dollar for dollar - this is so much fun!  Sadly we may run out of stock as this tiny producer comes and goes in supply. This is a top producer and this bottling is a step up!

6. J. LASALLE, CACHET D'OR, 1ER CRU BRUT, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE, NV

It is cliche perhaps but what time of year isn’t optimal for Champagne?  Here is my top pick for the moment… daft, energetic, great quality and value in the category.  YES - the world may run out of Champagne… so grab a few bottles of this wine while it is still below $40. I think this wine is $50 in 2 years.

7. DOMAINE SEGUINOT-BORDET, CHABLIS, VIEILLES VIGNES, BURGUNDY, FRANCE, 2019

This crisp wine has so many applications - but the seasons foods that come to mind SCREAM Chablis. Here is my top value from a producer that goes back to the history of the category. This is the OLD VINE BOTTLING that is typically $35 - our price is lowest in the country. 

8. BOHÈME, PINOT NOIR, OCCIDENTAL HILLS, SONOMA COAST, 2017

There are different ways to present the Pinot Noir grape.  Bolder and richer vs crisp and bright… this flexible varietal can go from Red Flesh Fish to Lamb to Casseroles, Soups, Stews and Pork Chops.  The new wine from Bohème captures the moment. This top quality grower producer is on point with this beautiful bottling.  This wine is so popular in Sonoma we will only see it here for a short while. This is cutting edge wine!

9. BODEGAS OLIVARES, ALTOS DE LA HOYA, UNGRAFTED, MURCIA, SPAIN, 2020

Among the great wine values in the world no wine is more dependable for the buck than this old vine Monastral. For less than $15, this is amazing stuff.  Get the grill going and enjoy this wine with a little chill… success is nearby. 

10.  MICHELE CHIARLO, CIPRESSI BARBERA D'ASTI SUPERIORE NIZZA DOCG, PIEDMONT, ITALY, 2018

Barbera is so much fun - we grabbed a bunch of this elevated bottling from Michele  Chiarlo.  This is NIZZA - a newer bottling of a special DOCG designation.  It scored 90 points from Wine Spectator and is a great wine for summer BBQ's and time outside.