Spring is here and by “here,” I mean that the calendar has declared Winter to be over. While we know that God and Al Gore laugh at our light jacket-wearing plans, it’s still a good time to switch up your wine rotation and please your palate with a few new grape goodies. Check out 5 of our current office faves and pray for the opportunity to bring one to a picnic before August!

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1) 2013 SIMI Sonoma Country Rosé  ($27; at select on-premise locations nationwide)

Perfect for a brunch of shrimp and grits, or as a pre-dinner aperitif, this is a bright, fresh rosé with notes of berries, cherries and just a hint of spice. Fun fact: SIMI employs women in the important roles of Director of Winemaking and Winemaker—and this Rosé was inspired by the winery’s matriarch, Isabelle Simi. Girl power? We’ll drink to that.

2) 2011 Jam Jar Moscato ($12)

Moscato is such a polarizing wine; either you love it, hate it—or pretend to love or hate it. What we like about this South African variety is that it packs those strong peach and apricot flavors that muscat grape-worshippers crave, but without the cloying sweetness that turns off fans of dry wines.

3) 2012 Thorny Rose Riesling ($10)

This value-priced Columbia Valley vino doesn’t skimp on quality, with crisp notes of lime and tangerine. Someone in the office who’s name rhymes with “Wameelah” enjoyed it a bit too much, but ensured everyone else that it was fantastic.

4) Banfi’s Rosa Regale ($20)

One of our favorite sparkling reds, you may be surprised how sweet Rosa Regale is…in a good way. The strawberry and raspberry notes are perfect for paring with a dark chocolate mouse or rich crème brulee.

5) Voga Quattro ($11)

Might be the most ‘do it for the ‘Gram’ friendly bottle we’ve seen in ages, but the sexy packaging isn’t the only reason to check out the full-bodied, fruity merlot-cabernet-shiraz-pinot noir varietal.

 

Jamilah Lemieux is EBONY.com's Senior Editor and Senior Closet Moscato Drinker. Tweet her: @jamilahlemieux