Top [IOWA] Wine Picks Perfect for Spring!

Iowa wines are perfect for any season! With nearly 100 wineries across the state crafting quality wines in every style, here are our top wines to try out as we transition from winter to spring.

Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, Nine Sixty-Five 13.5% ABV ($16.99, https://crwine.com/product/nine-sixty-five/). Nine Sixty-Five is our finest blend of Petite Pearl, Marechal Foch, Frontenac, Marquette and Merlot grapes; each contributing unique characteristics to this medium-bodied dry red wine. Aging for 10 months in American, French and Hungarian Oak barrels creates depth and complexity, but with bright notes of black cherry, plum and violet, this wine is perfect for those chilly spring evenings. Pinot Noir fans, Nine Sixty-Five will be your new favorite. From Kent Foulker, Winemaker at Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery, “Our Nine Sixty-Five is an all year round red. Bright fruit, great use of Midwest varietals and beautiful packaging."

Summerset Winery, 2019 Iowa Frontenac 11.7% ABV ($17, https://summersetwine.com/wines). Grown from the highest quality grapes near Des Moines, our 2019 Iowa Frontenac is a great representation of an Iowa red wine. Aged in French Oak with aromas of black berries and subtle hints of vanilla and black pepper, along with a slight acidity that occurs naturally with the Frontenac grape, this wine pairs perfectly with prosciutto or a buttery Ribeye steak.

Covered Bridges Winery, Roseman Bridge ($15, https://coveredbridgeswinery.com/shop/). When we think of Spring we think light, fruity wines. Roseman Bridge, a gold medal winner at the 2019 Mid-American Wine Competition, is a light, fruity blush perfect for a spring picnic or Easter dinner. A hint of sweetness offsets subtle acidity for a refreshing zip while the finish lingers delicately. Pear and cranberry flavors dominate the palate making this wine an outstanding complement to herb roasted chicken, turkey, or while sharing a charcuterie plate on a balmy spring day.

Walker Homestead Farm & Winery, Gratitude 12.5% ABV ($25, https://www.walker-homestead.com/wine-1/gratitude). Midwest cold hardy grapes make amazing sparkling wines! The La Crescent grape is particularly well suited for bubbles; bright , crisp and aromatic with floral notes and hints of citrus. Walker Homestead Farm & Winery’s “Gratitude” is a methóde champenoise sparkling brut, blanc de blanc wine. From Chef Chris Grebner, “I love this paired with some buttery popcorn, a few pieces of dark chocolate, or if you’re feeling adventurous, smoky barbecue.” From Winemaker Jenny Lovetinsky, “I love the La Crescent grape. I think it works really well as a sparkling wine because of its high acidity, tropical and floral notes. Our Gratitude is a great example of this.”

Soldier Creek Winery, 2019 Rosa 12.6% ABV ($16.82, https://soldiercreekwinery.com/out-of-state-shipping/). This bubbly Iowa rosé is a refreshing addition to any meal, or to enjoy with the first chance to sit outside in the warm sunshine. The aromas are reminiscent of maraschino cherries and cinnamon and with a perfectly-browned pie crust. The round, fruit-forward flavors of St. Croix grapes in Rosa are a perfect match for bold barbecue or a fresh strawberry and feta salad.

Ardon Creek Vineyard & Winery, Rosemary's Rosé 10% ABV ($13.99, https://www.ardoncreek.com/purchase-online/). A vibrant "pink wine" crafted from Catawba grapes. Aromas of juicy fruit, honey and bubble gum, complimented with candy-like sweetness and a lingering tart finish. A medium-bodied, easy drinking wine, Rosemary's Rosé is perfect paired with sharp cheddar cheese or a spring picnic with barbeque or fried chicken.

Fireside Winery, 2019 Frontenac Rosé 12% ABV ($26, https://vinoshipper.com/w/apps/product/41078). Made the traditional method with free-run estate Marquette from their Brickyard Hill vineyard, this is our most social sparkler for spring! From winemaker Zach Bott, "The best fruit was lightly pressed immediately after our 2017 harvest and fermented in stainless to create the base wine that is low in alcohol (around 10%). In 2018, it was capped in sparkling bottles with sugar and yeast for the secondary fermentation. The wine was laid down to age, and a tasting was done in the summer of 2019 to determine the dosage required. After some trial and error, the wine was disgorged and bottled in October of 2019."

Jasper Winery, SOMO Spritz 7% ABV ($20 for 4 375ml cans, www.somospritz.com/shop). SOMO Spritz is Jasper Winery's new line of canned wine spritzers, perfect for spring! Made with real fruit, these spritzers are vegan, gluten-free, low sugar, and contain no chemical additives. With not-too-sweet, perfectly fizzy bubbles, and four flavors to choose from (Pineapple Mango, Raspberry Lime, Blackberry Acai and Blood Orange), you can't go wrong with these Iowa spritzers. Plus, a portion of each purchase is donated to local nonprofits promoting sustainable food sources, so you're drinking good AND doing good!

For those not yet familiar with the grape varietals grown throughout the Midwest or for those new to wine in general, this rosé blend is a perfect introduction!

Airport Road Vineyard & Winery, Flight Path Rosé 12.3% ABV ($12.99, https://vinoshipper.com/catalog/Iowa-Wines/airport_road_vineyard_winery). A guest favorite among our sweet wine drinkers, this rosé is carefully crafted by delicately blending Chenin Blanc with Frontenac, Marquette and Syrah to create an easily drinkable wine that transitions from your holiday table to your spring garden party.