Wine for Mother’s Day & Spring

By Clint Mitchell, Oryana Wine & Beer Buyer

What goes better with Sundays in spring and celebrating mom than sparkling wine and rosé? 

Now, rest assured, we are stocked and ready to meet your sparkling needs this week, but May is all about the new releases of rosé.

The 2018 vintage is out, and the wines are tasty. Whether your preference is sweet, dry or somewhere in between, we have the wine for you. As a general rule of thumb, French rosés tend to be on the dry side, as are most cool climate roses, including here in Michigan. These make for more food friendly wines.

Warmer climates, on the other hand, produce riper the fruit, which means higher sugar content. So look to parts of California, South America, and other warm-weather regions for a touch of sweet.

As for when to drink rosé — an aperitif, cocktail, with dinner? — the answer’s always yes. Rosé goes with just about anything from a warm day to grilled salmon, or just because.

So, check out our end cap in the wine and beer selection, where we have a dozen new-release rosés, along with several more in our general selection. And this weekend, have a toast to mom, and enjoy. Cheers!

2018 Sentio. Italy; $13.99. Full-bodied and bubbly, this sparkling rosé is ideal for a toast, aperitif or served with a light salad. Ripe fruit and floral flavors lead the way, while a touch of acidity punctuates the finish.

2018 Fleurs de Prairie. Provence, France; $18.99. Provence has long been known for its rosé, and this is why. Pale in color, with loads of strawberry and floral flavors. Absolutely delicious. Enjoy with grilled salmon or a hearty salad.

2018 Lago. Portugal; $9.99. Made from Vino Verhde, which means plenty of fruit, and a touch of effervescence. Strawberry and melon flavors take center stage. Drink as an aperitif, or with a light salad or whitefish.

2018 Martin Ray. Sonoma, California; $14.99. Made from Pinot Noir, this rosé is full of flavor with bright, fresh acidity. Notes of strawberry lead the way, but melon and pear follow close behind. Enjoy with pasta salad or shellfish.

2018 Mourgues du Gres “Galets.” Rhone Valley, France; $13.99. Made with the traditional Rhone blend of Grenache and Syrah, this rosé is full of raspberry flavors, and a nice dose of minerality on the finish. Plenty of spice and structure makes this an ideal food wine. Try with tuna, grilled chicken or spicy dishes.