Springtime

Spring is here and brings with it an element of excitement among winemakers throughout the northern hemisphere. Grapevines are perennial plants; they bloom during the spring and summer and die back during the autumn and winter, growing again from rootstock the following spring.

Bud burst is a glorious moment for winemakers everywhere. It is the time of year when grape vines awake from their winter rest. It occurs when the average daytime temperature rises above 10 degrees Celsius, the temperature below which vines are not able to grow. The buds are very delicate at this time and can easily be destroyed by localised spring frost or hailstorms. The Loire Valley and Chablis in northern France were badly affected in both 2021 and 2022 with some producers losing up to 40% of their crop due to spring frosts occurring after bud burst. The use of candles in the vineyard helps but is a labour intensive and costly practice. In 2016, some vineyards in both Beaujolais and Burgundy lost 100% of their buds, meaning some growers lost their whole annual income.

Spring is also a time when we reach for a bottle of chilled white wine to enjoy in the early evening sunshine. A glass of light, fresh white can be just the answer at the end of a long day.

We’ve picked out a selection of our Spring time favourites with their bright labels that shout ‘summer is on the way’.

Vinho Verde Leme Avesso

This Vinho Verde is produced from the indigenous Avesso grape. Avesso translates as reverse or opposite, and the wines it produces are different from most Vinho Verde as the Avesso has lower acidity and a fuller mouthfeel. This is a very refreshing style of wine with stone fruit flavours and a streak of minerality running through it.

L’Orange de l’ou

This is a very appealing orange wine produced on an organic estate in the Roussillon region of the south of France from Muscat grapes. Muscat is normally associated with sweet wines in this area but this is bone dry. The vinification is characterised by a long, skin contact maceration lasting for four months in cool temperatures of between 4 and 5°C, to extract the delicate orange colour. It is then fermented in terracotta egg shaped amphorae. The ovoid shape sets the lees into perpetual motion, naturally accentuating the varietal aromas and minerality, while requiring minimum intervention from the winemaker. It has aromas of candied orange peel, citrus and a touch of curry spice followed by delicious notes of grapefruit, peach and delicate ginger lead to a long, crisp finish. If you’ve yet to be convinced by orange wines, this will certainly do it for you!

Ailala Treixadura and Souson

This pair of wines hail from Galicia in north-west Spain, where the climate is not dissimilar to the Isle of Man! It is influenced by the Atlantic and is by far the wettest part of Spain. It is a region known more for white wines than red, but the red wines are also worth a try. Both of these are from indigenous varieties, the white Treixadura and the red from Souson. The Treixadura has vibrant aromas of white flowers, apricot and lemon peel followed by a wonderful textured palate with flavours of white peach and apricot beautifully balanced with a citrus freshness.

The Souson grapes grow in granite soils, which give a freshness to the wine. With its aromas and flavours of cherry, cinnamon, violet and wild red berries, it is also delicious when served lightly chilled.

There is no direct translation for ‘Ailala’ but it is a cry of joy, the Galician word for ‘Ole’.

So we’re going to open a bottle, raise our glasses and shout ‘Ailala’!