A Bouquet in Every Sip

Aromatic wines for spring

By Marisa Finetti

With notes of fresh and delicate petals, citrus, spice and stone, these six aromatic wines capture the essence of spring in every sip.

Braida Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG 2023 Piedmont, Italy
Anima by Edo

Translucent ruby in color with a lively froth, Brachetto always over-delivers in the sensorial department with an aromatic perfume of playfully exotic scents like ripe red fruit and just-fallen rose petals. Delicately sparkling and crush-worthy, it’s sweet but never cloying. It’s the “berry” that goes with the chocolate dessert. $16 BTG. Pair with Chocolate cremoso. animabyedo.com

Zedashe Monastery, Rkatsiteli, Republic of Georgia 2023
Ada’s Food + Wine

Rkatsiteli—an ancient grape from the Republic of Georgia—finds its voice through fermentation in a traditional clay vessel called qvevri. This wine unfolds with wild peach, apricot skin, alpine herbs and a delicate whisper of spice. The qvevri enhances aroma and texture, allowing the grape to resonate harmoniously for an authentic sensorial experience. $65. Pair with shrimp + garlic and chile. adaslv.com

Broc Cellars, Tocai Friulano “Amore Bianco” Mendocino, California 2020
Harlø

Tocai Friulano, native to northeastern Italy, finds a home among a thriving oasis of Italian grape varieties at Broc Cellars in Mendocino, California. This Friulano is delicate yet expressive, striking a perfect balance between elegance and vibrancy. Fermented on the skins and left unfiltered, it stays true to its natural roots—100% pure Tocai Friulano. Its aromatics burst with grapefruit, lemon oil, herbs and a hint of saline, leading to a juicy texture and a savory, layered body. $65. Pair with Spanish Octopus / Castelvetrano olives / “piccata” sauce. harlosteak.com

Tiare Sauvignon Collio DOC Friuli, Italy 2022
Balla Italian Soul

Sauvignon Blanc is a textbook aromatic wine, perhaps the easiest to identify by nose alone. Yet the journey of discovery continues when exploring the grape beyond its classic regions. In Northern Italy, particularly in Collio, where it is simply called Sauvignon, the wine takes on a distinctive minerality. Tiare’s expression is intensely fragrant, with notes of elderflower, yellow scotch broom, pink grapefruit and mango wrapped in a firm and structured texture. $18 BTG. Pair with Mediterranean Sea Bream. saharalasvegas.com

Donnafugata Bell’Assai Vittoria DOC, Sicily 2022
North Italia

Immerse yourself in the artistic label with which Donnafugata celebrates their love for all things beautiful. Discover a wine with the personality of the friendly girl next door thanks to Sicily’s darling grape, Frappato. Her ruby red color with violet reflections radiates intense floral hints of roses, freesia and lavender, followed by aromas of strawberry and cherry. On the palate, it is fresh and fragrant. Enjoy slightly chilled as the months get warmer. $13/17 glass; $52/bottle. Pair with Funghi Pizza.
northitalia.com

Henschke, Peggy’s Hill, Eden Valley, Australia 2022
Wineaux

Natural acidity and aromatic intensity are two hallmarks of Riesling. Riesling also reflects its growing regions, and Eden Valley is distinctive and regarded as one of Australia’s exemplary wine regions for producing highly expressive, long-lived Riesling wines. Swirl to discover white florals, lime zest, white peaches and honeydew melon. $61/bottle. Pair with Hamachi and Caviar. wineauxlv.com