Spring has officially sprung us from our winter cages out into parks and gardens that are blooming with life. After having had our senses cooped up in the sterile indoors, we can now enjoy the subtle and stimulating scents of blossom and cut grass — and what better way to amplify the experience than to drink a wine that matches these sensations? With their floral aromas, crisp acidity and mineral flavors, wines from the French regions of Burgundy and the Loire Valley are the perfect companion to a spring picnic.
If you're the classy type who goes for sophisticated wicker panniers and freshly laundered napkins, then a classic Chablis might just be the ticket. The Chardonnay grape finds a unique expression from the limestone clay soils of the region, while the relatively cooler climate keeps acidity higher than in wines that are found in the southern end of Burgundy. Chablis perfectly matches oysters, but for a picnic, rich, creamy cheeses such as brie, or a piece of smoked salmon, also work well.
While you'll be hard pressed to find a good Chablis under ¥2,000, Domaine de Pisse-Loup Chablis 2007 (¥2,780) is good value for money, combining that trademark flinty aroma with warm mineral flavors. If you're up for splashing out, then you could do worse than buying a top-flight wine such as La Chablisienne 2007 1er Cru Fourchaume (¥2,980), which has a fantastic steely aroma. For those who like a sharper style, it might be worth noting that 2007 will be right up your street as wines of that vintage tend to have a stronger acidity than 2008.