Some wines are stoic, some are thought provoking, some are abrasive and rough. But sometimes a wine will seem almost happy to me. I can't quite describe why or how, but there are a few wines that simply have an inner joy to them. Who knows why, but here are a few of my favorite "Happy Wines," hopefully they'll bring you some joy too!
Pascal Pibaleau 'La Perlette' (Loire, France)
With aromas and flavors of crunchy watermelon doused with fresh tarragon, this bubbly pet nat is just plain happy. I have been pouring this by the glass for months, and I haven't seen a single person take a sip and fail to get a silly grin on their face. This is happy, happy wine.
| Clos Fantine 'Tradition' 2010 (Faugeres, France) Drinkable, earthy, and meaty-- this is the dark, contented, chocolate side of happiness... |
Tenuta San Jacopo 'Poggio ai Grilli' 2009 Chianti (Tuscany, Italy)
This is so different from the usual dusty Chianti-- this one is full of bright cherry fruit, so ripe and fresh. Not a dried out, acid-ridden sip to be found here-- nothing but smiles and ripe happiness.
Graf von Schonborn Grauerbugunder 2009 (Germany)
This tasty, compact pinot gris has a sparkle to it! It shimmers in the glass and on the palate, to the point where you get a glow from within.
Seresin (Marlborough, New Zealand)
The non-sulphured wines from Seresin are incredibly grin-worthy-- just like winemaker Clive himself. They aren't in the market yet, but if they ever make it to the US, prepare for mass smiles.
Coenobium 2009 (Lazio, Italy)
This lightly orange wine from Lazio is made by nuns, but certainly, not the ruler-wielding ones, because this wine always puts a big fat smile on my face. The probably sing in the vineyard.
Quinta do Ameal (Vinho Verde, Portugal)
This vineyard is surrounded by purple lavendar. It's a little sunny place where large, tasty, biodynamic, loureiro grapes grow-- if a wine can be as happy as its source, this is it! Loureiro is one of those kinds of wine grapes that is so delicious to eat right off the vine, and in this case all that happy vine-ripe freshness comes through even after traveling halfway around the world in a tiny bottle....
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