Seven wines to help you welcome springtime

With spring break around the corner, it’s only natural that our minds and palates drift toward warmer, sunnier climates and lighter-bodied wines. No matter where you find yourself traveling — the beach, the lake, the river … the deer camp, even — here are seven bottles to usher in spring.

Mercat Brut Cava, $17

Spanish sparkling wine continues to deliver incredible values, and this is among the best. Bright, fresh, lemony, with the tiniest little bubbles. Enjoy it on its own or use it for your favorite cocktail or spritz. (Has society moved on from the Aperol spritz yet?) Either way, it’s delicious.

Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Cistercien Rosé, $18

Don’t let the name scare you away. This Austrian rosé is like drinking cool, rose-scented Alpine air. Made from pinot noir and a handful of native Austrian grapes, including Zweigelt and St. Laurent, this is everything you can ask for from a summer staple: chuggable, gluggable and delicious.

Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris, $21

I’m almost afraid to think about how many bottles I’ve drunk of this over the past five years. Delicate raspberries, freshly picked strawberries, tropical citrus fruits — they’re all here and then some. In my retail days, this was the bottle I would use to convert customers to rosé. If you’ve never had a classic French rosé, start here.

Teutonic Wine Co. Pinot Gris, $23

Is there a better $23 bottle of wine in all of Arkansas? If so, I haven’t found it. I love pinot gris and there are a handful of amazing Oregon producers doing fantastic things with this grape variety. If you’re used to watery, brand bottles of pinot grigio, prepare to have your mind blown.

Left Coast Estate White Pinot Noir, $27

A white wine made from red grapes. Just before crushing, these grapes were subjected to extreme cold so no color from the grapes’ skins would stain the juice. The result is a wine with the weight and nose of red wine with the attitude and zip of your favorite white.

Domaine Chignard Fleurie “Les Moriers,” $28

Out of all of Beaujolais’ Crus, the wines of Fleurie are the most overtly perfumed and seductive. Imagine lying in a field of violets snacking on black cherries and raspberries. This is the perfect gateway drug for those unfamiliar with the French region of Beaujolais and its native gamay grape.

Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Rosé, $28

Cabernet franc makes some of my favorite red wines so it only makes sense that it would also produces some of my favorite rosés. Grown in France’s Loire River Valley, this is the ultimate summer thirst quencher. Look for notes of watermelon and cotton candy alongside cabernet franc’s signature subtle spiciness and a full, round body. If you’ve been drinking rosé for a while and are ready to see what the premium price point is all about, you can’t go wrong here.

As always, you can see what I’m drinking on Instagram @sethebarlow and send your wine questions and quibbles to