The color green can be associated with many things: the color of certain grape skins, the beginning of spring, environmentally responsible practices, and St. Patrick’s Day. One of the best things about enjoying wine is discovering something new, made with exciting grape varieties and originating from interesting growing regions. Make it a green day, starting with the wine in your glass. Here are some options that embody “green” in several ways.
Novellum Chardonnay
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Novellum Chardonnay is a popular wine from France’s Languedoc region, specifically from vineyards in the Pays d’Oc area within Languedoc, where sustainable or green viticulture is popular. The region’s diverse terroir is very favorable for Chardonnay. Known for its crisp and refreshing taste, Novellum Chardonnay typically exhibits flavors of citrus, green apple, and subtle oak. It pairs well with a variety of dishes, including seafood, poultry, corned beef, and cabbage. With Novellum Chardonnay’s affordable price point and consistent quality, it’s a solid option for those who like Chardonnay or wine lovers who like nice spring and summer white wines in general. This wine can be found at The Wine & Cheese Place and Clayton Winehouse for around $15.
Dow’s Vale do Bomfim White
Dow’s Vale do Bomfim White Wine is a blend crafted in Portugal’s Douro Valley, which is known for port. This dry white wine, however, combines indigenous grape varieties such as Viosinho, Rabigato, and Gouveio. It’s characterized by its refreshing acidity, fruity flavors such as citrus and stone fruits, and interesting floral aromas—maybe even a hint of four-leaf clover. This white blend pairs well with seafood, salads, and light pasta dishes. This wine can be found in some Schnucks locations for about $15.
Domaine LaFage Côté Est
Domaine LaFage CÔTÉ EST comes from vineyards planted on the south-facing slopes near the Mediterranean, not far from the ancient Celtic settlements of Northern Spain. The vineyards benefit from the daily breezes that circulate every afternoon in the summer, fostering a high level of natural acidity in the grapes. The blend for this wine includes old vine Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, and Rolle (known as Vermentino in Italy). This aromatic blend is a perfect example of wines found along the French Catalan coast. This wine can be found at The Wine Barrel in Sunset Hills for about $13.
Gaia Monograph Moschofilero
Gaia Monograph Moschofilero is a Greek wine produced by Gaia Wines, a renowned winery in the Peloponnese region. This wine is made from the indigenous Moschofilero grape variety, with a pink skin that’s similar to Pinot Grigio, with similar attributes of acidity and flavor. Gaia Monograph Moschofilero can show floral aromas, such as rose petals and jasmine, with plenty of citrus and stone fruit notes. It is often described as light-bodied and refreshing, making it an excellent choice for springtime and warm weather. This wine pairs well with seafood, salads, and lighter Mediterranean and Irish dishes. This wine can be found at Friar Tuck’s for about $14.
Mike Ward is a certified sommelier, certified wine educator, certified specialist of spirits, and has successfully completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 3 Award in Wine. His current position is director of education at Breakthru Beverage Missouri. Ward also appears on Fridays at 4:15 p.m. on KTRS The Big 550 on the Heidi Glaus show with Josh Gilbert.
Need more St. Patrick’s Day ideas? Listen to the Arch Eats podcast with George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr to discover the best places for Irish food in St. Louis.
