Spring Drink Inspo

Spring is almost here! And with that, perhaps it’s time to change up your go-to wine/bevvie for the season? Here are a few fun wine suggestions and a mocktail recipe that you can incorporate into the upcoming longer days and into the Summer. 

Red Wine

Time to move away from those warm, hug-in-a-glass type res and try something a bit lighter and fresher. Here are 2 suggestions to liven things up. 

• Beaujolais (France) - Made from the Gamay grape and fermented in whole bunches gives these wines a fruiter, juicier flavour. Some even call Beaujolais a “chuggable” wine. Best served slightly chilled.

• Spätburgunder (Germany) - This is a German Pinot Noir. Because of the climate in Germany, this pinot noir will be lighter than most, plus it’s fun to say and it goes with a variety of foods. Pinot Noirs is one of the best reds (if you’re gonna pair a red) with seafood. 

White Wine

If you’re a white wine drinker, you may have been gravitating towards oaky chardonnays all winter. Here are 2 suggestions to add some more pep in your white wine game.

• Sauvignon Blanc (France) - Easy drinking, refreshing and not too aromatic (a la New Zealand Sauv Blancs), looks for labels that say “Sancerre” or “Touraine” at the wine shops. 

• Chablis (France) - Now this is another iteration of Chardonnay, but because of the climate in the region of Chablis, these grapes maintain their acidity and rarely get any oak treatment. These are crisp, mouth-watering white wines best paired with fatty foods (think French Fries!). 

Mocktail

If wine isn’t your jam or you’re just wanting to have an alcohol-free version, I got you covered. Step aside Shirley Temple, this is a twist of one of my favourite Summer cocktails - Cactus Club’s Brazilian. 

Muddled Kiwi Mocktail (makes 1)

• ½ Kiwi (peeled and muddled, I find the potato masher to be the easiest tool to do this)

• Juice from ½ Lemon

• Soda Water

• Sugar/Simple Syrup (to taste)

Toss some ice cubes in your highball glass. Add in the kiwi and lemon juice. Top with soda water and then sweeten to your liking. And that’s it, enjoy!