by Anita Skogland

It is always so much fun to prepare Mother’s Day wine suggestions. The air is getting warmer, the pollen is receding, Charlotte is in its floral splendor, and plans to celebrate mom are underway.

Charlotte-area wine shops are great places to meet some of the city’s top oenophiles who are always happy to discuss new products. Mother’s Day celebrations now begin on Friday and go through Sunday, so for families who cook for mom at home, wine and food pairings are special, just as they should be. My mom is no longer present, but I will tip a glass of Champagne to her lovely memory, just like when she was here.

Raise a glass to your mom with these very special wines. Prices are as of time of publication and are subject to change.

Sparkling Wine and Champagne

Sparkling wines look so beautiful in the glass, with the creamy color and the fine bubbles. They are great wines with food of all styles, even grilled meats!

Raventos i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia de Nit 2020 – Barcelona, Spain
Bar A Vins, NoDa – $23
A typical blend of Cava grapes but with a bit of Monastrell added for the onion skin color. Good balance, fresh acidity, and more character than most Cava on the market.

Clotilde Davenne Cremant de Bourgogne – France
Foxcroft, Dilworth / SouthPark / Waverly – $34.99
A female winemaker from the Chablis wine region, Clotilde uses organic practices and hand harvests her grapes. The blend is 40% chardonnay, 60% pinot noir and mirrors a Champagne blend. Lemon and apple on the palate.

Pommery NV – Champagne, France
winestore – $42.99
Bright acidity, toast and orange zest. Enjoy with fried chicken, or brunch, or sashimi, or just about any good food! A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.

Rosé Wines

You can never get enough rosé. When shipments arrive every spring, it’s time to dig in and find your summer favorites, starting with these.

Vallevo Costa dei Trabocchi Rosato 2021 – Terre di Chieti, Italy
Foxcroft, Dilworth / SouthPark / Waverly – $10.99
A delicate strawberry nose, beautiful pink color, crisp and dry on the palate, this is an excellent value wine – get a case! A blend of Montepulciano and Merlot.

Twice Removed Kivelstadt Cellars, 2020 – Anderson Valley, California
The Culture Shop, Belmont-Plaza Midwood – $23
A note of white flowers and fresh cut peach on the nose, and a light body with grapefruit and strawberry on the palate.  This Grenache based wine works well with appetizers or grilled meats.

Lioco Rosé of Carignan 2020 – Mendocino County, California
Petit Philippe, Myers Park / South End – $27
Aromas of watermelon and fresh cut tarragon and basil. Hint of citrus and red berries on the palate. Enjoy with salmon or scallops, charcuterie.

White Wines

This is a tough category to narrow down. In addition to the specific white wines below, consider a dry Riesling (Trocken), a Pinot Blanc from Alsace, or an unoaked California Chardonnay – all would be complementary to a Mother’s Day brunch.

Cave de Lugny La Cote Blanche Macon-Villages White – Burgundy, France
Arthur’s Wine Shop, SouthPark – $19.95
Elegant finish, citrus notes, mineral notes, and balanced acidity. Enjoy with shellfish, hearty salads, charcuterie, roast fowl.

Laurenz V. Singing Gruner Veltliner 2021 – Kamptal, Austria
Assorted Table Wine & Shop, Uptown – $18.99
Clean, fresh acidity with stone fruit and apple flavors. 2021 was a very good growing year in the Kamptal. Enjoy with fish, roast chicken, brunch or seared pork chops.

Willamette Vineyards Pinot Gris 2022 – Willamette Valley, Oregon
The Loyalist, Matthews – $21.99
Tropical fruit notes and minerality on the nose, pear, honey, and sweet apple on the palate. Lingering finish, pair with crab cakes, grilled shrimp, or fettuccini Alfredo.

Domaine du Colombier Chablies 2021 Premier Cru – Fourchaume, France
Arthur’s Wine Shop, SouthPark – $45.99
This is a bit pricey but it is for mom – and it is worth every penny. She can cellar this or open on her special day. Rich body with a long finish, medium mineralality, citrus, apple, and green notes. Enjoy with salmon, duck, baked tofu, egg soufflé, asparagus.

Red Wines

The foods of spring tend to pair well with medium-bodied reds, which is why there are no Bordeaux or California Cabernet Sauvignons on the list.

Chateau de Pizay Beaujolais 2021 – France
Foxcroft, Dilworth / SouthPark / Waverly – $19.99
This estate has been making wine for over 1,000 years. The wine is well balanced with cherry and violets on the nose, a juicy palate, and a typical Beaujolais finish.

Lang and Reed Cabernet Franc 2021 – Napa, California
The Wine Vault, Elizabeth / University City – $33.99
Blackberry and plum on the nose, ripe dark fruit, tobacco, sage, and integrated tannins on the palate. Pairs well with game, beef, roast cabbage, burgers.

Gundlach Bundschu 2021 Pinot Noir – Petaluma, Sonoma Coast, California
winestore – $24.99
Ripe fruit with a medium plus body, which is not common for pinot noir. This small, family-owned winery follows organic winemaking practices. Pair with veal, lasagna, and grilled beef.

Emilio Moro 2019 Tempranillo – Ribera del Duero, Spain
Arthur’s Wine Shop, SouthPark – $25.99
A family-operated winery since 1938, this wine is made from vines that are 15-25 years old. Bold flavors of plum and dark cherry, long finish, integrated tannins, with chocolate and tobacco notes. Enjoy with lamb, roasted pork loin, duck or hearty casseroles.

Cheers, mom!

Unpretentious People Say...

Other Articles You Might Enjoy