Blooming Good Wines For Spring

It’s agreed: after this infinite winter, we’re all gagging for spring to make out with us on jacaranda-blooming corners at any and every opportunity. Spring spells park life, skiving off work, and lingering lazy afternoons – best matched with fun and zesty wines. That’s right, another roundup of sacred grapes to get you in the mood for the latest seasonal change.

Laborum Single Vineyard Torrontés Oak Fermented 2015

Let’s start up north in beautiful Cafayate in Salta. We all know Cafayate means ‘water box’ in Quechua, don’t we (?), given that its underground sources is one reason this deceptively-looking dry valley can nourish Torrontés grapes that produce great quality wine. Argentina’s emblematic northern white is usually designed to be sipped young and fresh – personally I drink it within the year to get the most out of its fragrant aromas – but this guy from El Porvenir de Cafayate has more muscle and can age a little longer. Thanks to six months in new French oak, its nose adds vanilla notes to the usual floral aromas, while its texture is more voluptuous for the same reason, giving it that staying power. Impress a date by throwing out its Decanter ‘gold medal’ status. Just 7,200 bottles were made by winemaker Mariano Quiroga Adamo; given that he recently left El Porvenir for pastures new at Casarena in Mendoza, this is his penultimate Cafayate vintage. Marvellous apéretif, knock back with ceviche or southeast Asian fish dishes.

AR $276 from Lo de Musu.

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