Column: La Primavera

Mark Bertrand loves Italy. He loves the country, the culture, the crowds, the chaos, the hand gestures, the food and especially the wines. For him, a wine is more than the product in a bottle. For Mark, it is an experience, waiting to be opened. He goes in search of the story behind the wine and likes to take you on that journey of discovery.
Image: Unsplash

Finally! Spring is on its way. We can really leave the dark days behind us now and I love it. Granted, every season has its charms but my favourite season is about to start. Time to dust off the terrace, plant flowers, buy new sunglasses and invite friends over to drink those typical spring wines. Which ones they are, I'll come to in a moment. First some background on the word ‘Primavera’.

Botticelli

Primavera comes from the Latin ‘prīmã vēra’ meaning first spring or early spring. In both Italian and Spanish, it is fused into Primavera and there are few words that have such a positive meaning as this word.

Primarily, of course, it symbolises a period of recovery, renewal and growth when you look at nature. But in art and music, too, it is all about wellbeing. Botticelli's painting ‘Primavera’, for instance, is a tribute to nature and the cycle of life.

For his part, Vivaldi captured ‘Primavera’ as a theme in tones where the energy and awakening of nature fly around your ears. And now don't think it was all just ‘back then’. Ludovico Einaudi composed a beautiful ‘Primavera’ as a piece of music on his album ‘Essential’. In short: la Primavera is coming and it should be celebrated.

Pinot Grigio

The question of questions then is with which wines. Everyone may of course decide that for themselves but there is a kind of unwritten etiquette. Spring wines should generally be fresh and aromatic. Light wines, fresh acidity and fruity notes are then perfect for the terrace. It doesn't always have to be white or rosé, by the way. Indeed, feel free to try a young Valpolicella from Veneto, a Pinot Noir from Alto Adige or a Barbera from Piedmont. These red guys suit this time of year perfectly.

Anyway, now let's focus on the white wines since they will be the most consumed. My favourites then are a Soave, Pinot Grigio, Gavi di Gavi or a Vermentino. And no, they are definitely not the same. A Soave has a high degree of minerality and has spice, while a Pinot Grigio is more fresh and has a straightforward character.

The Gavi di Gavi can be recognised by its elegance, finesse and tight acidity immediately after the finish. Finally, the Vermentino is the southernmost wine of these four and is the most complex. Furthermore, the Vermentino has a somewhat briny aftertaste. My advice? Go out on the terrace with the four of you, order all four and explore. Pass the glasses around, experience what suits you and don't pass a wine based on sec a description.

Prosecco

Perhaps you're missing one kind: the prosecco. Doesn't that match the Primavera? Signore e signori, I'll say it one more time. Every season, every weekend, every day is suitable for a prosecco, a bubble, a Franciacorta or a spumante.

Life should be celebrated, every day. And in my humble opinion, that always includes bubbles. So go to the terrace, with friends or alone, and order those Primavera wines. But always start with a bubble. Just, to celebrate the beginning of spring. Agreed?

Salute,

Mark

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