Kaitlin’s Top 5 Spring Wine Crushes

By Jillian Owens
April 11, 2014 

Meet Kaitlin. 

Kaitlin is the General Manager of Cellar on Greene, a marvelous wine store by day/wine bar by night that I can’t believe you haven’t been to.  Besides being delightful to be around, she’s super-knowledgeable about one of my favorite things—wine.

Do you remember your last crush…that crazed magnetism that drew you in to a sea of passion and longing?  Do you recall feeling vulnerable and electric at the same time?  

Do you remember how it totally failed to work out and you ended up feeling like an idiot?

Kaitlin wants to help you find a new crush.  No no no no no…we’re not talking about some creepy speed-dating enterprise.  She wants to help you find your spring wine crush.  Wine crushes are lovely things.  I still look back fondly on my autumn of Malbecs, my winter of Oregon Pinot Noirs, and several summer flings with Chardonnays.  Ah!  Memories!

I met up with Kaitlin to taste her top five favorite spring wines that you’ll have no problem falling for. 

*Please note that all prices are retail (not restaurant) prices. 

1.     Dr. Konstantin Frank Pinot Noir Dry Rosé, 2013, New York State ($14)

 
This is a simple & fun dry rosé that is everything a rosé should be.  With hints of strawberry and watermelon, it’s a perfect thirst-quenching porch wine.

2.    Arca Nova Vinho Verde, 2013, Portugal  ($11)
  

Made with young green grapes (hence the verde), this white wine is light & effervescent.   Go ahead.  Treat yourself to a post-yard work treat with this refreshing low-alcohol favorite.

3.     Dr. Loosen Brothers Riesling, 2012, Germany ($13)

 
Do you prefer your wines to be on the sweeter side?   With hints of peach and apricot, this sweet, but not too sweet wine would pair well with Thai takeout, or just be enjoyed at your next book club meeting.

4.     Elena Walch Pinot Grigio, 2012, Italy ($15)
 

Pinot Grigio has a reputation for being flat and uninteresting.  But this one has a pretty minerality that pops!  Lightly floral, this Pinot Grigio is anything but ordinary.

5.     Left Coast Left Coast Cellars Cali’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, 2012, Oregon ($22)

 
The days are getting warmer, but the nights are still cool.  Why not warm up a bit with this delightful Pinot Noir that is warm for an Oregon Pinot, but still has a nice coolness to it as well.  If you like blueberries, you’ll love this wine.  Wine & Spirits gave this value wine a score of 92 Points, making this charmer a steal at $22.  

Would you like to learn more about these wines, as well as many others?  Just stop by Cellar on Greene.  Located at 2001-D Greene St., their Wine Shop is open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 12non-5pm and their Wine is open Mon-Thurs 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-10:30pm.  You can visit their website here.  

You should also hop over to Kaitlin’s blog, The Wine Snob for an in-depth look at this marvelous libation

Cheers!
 

Jillian Owens is a writer, designer, and eco-fashion revolutionary. A Columbia SC transplant, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BFA in Theatre and English. When she’s not gallivanting about, she’s busy refashioning ugly thrift store duds into fashionable frocks at ReFashionista.net or helping the underserved through her work in Community Impact at United Way of the Midlands.  She also reviews local theater productions for Jasper Magazine and Onstage Columbia.  Any comments, questions, or crude remarks can be directed to[email protected].