Raise a Glass to Spring: Five Wines to Welcome Barbeque Season

Spring has finally sprung, and nobody appreciates this season more than those of us in Ottawa! We’re ready to get out the barbeque and kick off the season of leisurely outdoor meals. Whether you’re grilling on your patio at home or relaxing on the cottage deck, nothing says spring is here like that first outdoor meal. Here’s a list of great wines to enjoy during leisurely evenings on the patio.

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2023
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy

A perennial favourite, this Pinot Grigio comes from Italy’s beautiful Adige River Valley region in the mountainous northeast. It’s the gold standard for Pinot Grigio and a consistent best seller at LCBO Vintages. Dry, refreshing and aromatic, it gives lifted aromas and flavours of Golden Delicious apples, quince and yellow pear. It’s a perfect match for shellfish, seafood pasta, shrimp risotto or white meats and also works well as an aperitif. It has achieved carbon-neutral certification, as indicated on the label.

Dry • 12.5% • LCBO Vintages# 106450 • $21.95

Pétalos de Aresan Tempranillo Organic Rosé 2024
La Mancha, Spain

A soft and easy-going Rosé, made from 100% Tempranillo grapes. It was aged in stainless steel to optimize the delicate fruit aromas and flavours. You’ll notice apple, pear, cherry and hints of citrus on the refreshing palate. Pair it with salads or pasta with vegetables and it also makes a great sipper.

Extra Dry • 12.5% • LCBO Vintages# 37864 • $13.95 • Vegan

Zonte’s Footstep Chocolate Factory Shiraz 2020
South Australia, Australia

This Shiraz won the Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge in Vienna in 2022 and Gold at the European Wine Challenge in 2022. It really does remind you of Black Forest Cake, with yummy dark cherry, mocha and milk chocolate aromas and flavours. There’s a touch of violets on the nose and just enough pepper on the palate to make it lively. It’s silky smooth, with a great milk chocolate touch on the finish. A definite crowd-pleaser! This is a great wine to take to a dinner party or to share with friends at a barbeque.

Dry • 14.5% • LCBO Vintages# 396481 • $21.95

Prosper Maufoux Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Nuits 2023
Domaine Vigne Au Roy
Burgundy, France

A beautiful wine to savour slowly. On the nose, you’ll find floral rose hip and violet notes, as well as mushrooms and rhubarb. The supple, medium bodied palate gives flavours of black cherry, mushroom, green peppercorn and forest floor. The tannins are smooth and the flavours linger on the finish. I enjoyed it with grilled lamb chops.

Extra dry • 13.5% • LCBO Vintages# 43436 • $31.95

Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Penedès, Spain

Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic match for beef and lamb. This elegant Cab shows delicious blackcurrant, raspberry jam and subtle spices on the nose. The smooth palate gives ripe dark berries, dark plums, cedar and spice, with a velvety mouthfeel and long finish. Enjoy with grilled steak or burgers.

Extra Dry • 14.5% • LCBO# 36483 • $19.95

For more wine and food discovery from Jane Staples, visit www.bellovinoj.com

Photo: iStock