Springtime means that it’s, at last, time to put away not just wool sweaters but the heavy Cabernet Sauvignon, right? Lighter-bodied reds – such as select Pinot Noirs from California, those lighter in body with approachability but aren’t abandoning complexity – are the perfect transition. Here are three recommendations in perfect pitch with this week’s weather. All are Pinot Noirs costing under – $22 per bottle and from the 2010 vintage.
2010 Meiomi Wines Belle Glos Pinot Noir (California, $22) expresses cherry-pie notes with a little bit of heat before diving into velvety layers of brown sugar and dark berries, followed by silky, supple tannins. (www.meiomiwine.com)
2010 Pali Wine Co. Huntington Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County, California, $21) is deeply complex, with red currants on the finish; and black cherry, raspberry, plum and toasty vanilla notes throughout. (www.paliwineco.com)
2010 Mark West Winery Pinot Noir (California, $13) comes across, initially, as light-bodied but time in the glass reveals silkiness more common with a higher price point, as well as striking red-cherry notes accented by vanilla and cardamom. (www.markwestwines.com)
WINE EVENT OF THE WEEK
Let’s scale it back a bit. I know that some of you feel bashful about tasting wine, fearful you won’t taste the Mount Rainier cherry notes that esteemed wine critics like Robert Parker might gush about. Don’t fear. Waterford Wine Company (waterfordwine.com) has a class just for you. On May 9 at 7 p.m., “Introduction to Wine” answers all the dirty truths about the three Ss (swirl, sniff and sip). The cost is $20 and you must sign up ahead of time. And, no, you won’t taste from the bargain bin. Owner Ben Christiansen revealed what he plans to uncork for the lesson (nine of the most popular grape varietals), including 2008 Groth Vineyards & Winery (grothwines.com) Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville, Napa Valley, California, $56.99) and a $50 California Zinfandel (a real treat!).
WINE DEAL OF THE WEEK
There’s at least one Tosa spot that knows how to toast the after-work hour – Firefly Bar & Grill (firefly-grill.com). A Wednesday-night wine deal is perfect for those who shun cans of PBR for a flute of bubbly or a husky glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Grab a seat in the Skylight Lounge and order a bottle of wine for $10-off. Match a bottle of wine with starters to share, like smoked-gouda and cheddar-cheese fondue or mushroom risotto “lollipops” and bam – dinner is covered.
WINE OF THE WEEK
One of the first Sonoma tasting rooms I ever visited was Hanna Winery (hannawinery.com) in the Alexander Valley. That was six years ago, and Chris Hanna totally welcomed me into her tasting room, where the experience includes not only sipping her family’s wines but also pairing them with cheeses, at a dining-room table with an Oriental rug beneath. The vibe is so cozy that afterward you want to ask for a pillow and blanket for an impromptu siesta. So, still intoxicated from my very-first Sonoma trip, I was thrilled to hear that owner Chris Hanna – the oldest of five kids, her father started the winery during the 1970s – would be in town last week. Her wines are poured at Harbor House and sold at Metro Market, where she cheerfully signed labels next to the seafood counter. The flagship wine, 2011 Hanna Winery & Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California, $19), is a stunner. It’s zippy and crisp but not overly acidic, with tropical-fruit notes and a kiss of lemon at the end of the palate before slipping into a seamless finish. Buy this one and store it in the fridge for the next warm day, because it’s a patio sipper for sure. (www.hannawinery.com)
GIVEAWAY
On Saturday, May 19, from noon to 4 p.m., Waterford Wine Company is hosting “A Celebration in Pink: The Rosé (and Loire) Tasting.” Twenty-five or so different wines – mostly from France but there’s a Washington pick thrown in the line-up – will be opened and are yours for the sipping. Comment below for a chance to win two tickets (worth $20 each). We’ll pick the winners May 10.
