The consistently mild weather of May means that it’s time to move the party outside, whether that’s a Hampden backyard hideaway, a Federal Hill roof deck, or a picnic at Sherwood Gardens. We’ve found three wines to help you spring outside and take full advantage of this beautiful time of year.

L’Antica Quercia Matiu Prosecco Superiore
$20, Potomac Selections

Sparkling wine is a woefully overlooked category; one needn’t spend Champagne money to access the festive atmosphere a bottle of bubbly begets. Prosecco is the national aperitif of Italy. This one delights with its elegant texture, dry character, and refreshing finish. Serve it on its own or pair with hors d’oeuvres.

Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2014
$18, Cape Starz

Sauvignon Blanc could be the official white wine grape of Spring, and this South African example highlights why—cool, clean, crisp, yet blooming with attractively light lemon and herbal notes. Grilled shrimp, chicken salad, or cheese plates are all natural companions for this one.

St. Cosme Cotes du Rhône 2013
$16, The Country Vintner

Here’s a Cotes du Rhône that swaps the heady intensity of the Grenache grape for the cool zing and peppery spice of Syrah. It’s a delicious bottle of wine, with bright, fleshy cherry tones and some grip on the finish. What to serve? Burgers, of course, or any grilled meat, but also hearty transitional dishes like lentils.

Bagrationi Extra Dry Sparkling Wine
$14, Georgian Wine House
This festive sparkler comes to us from the country of Georgia, where it is used to kick off feasts both fanciful and humble. Three native varieties—Mtsvane, Tsitska, and Chinebuli—make for the tastiest sparkling wine you’ve never heard of. It certainly pairs well with eggs and sausages, but has enough sweetness around the edges to complement pastries and even maple syrup. Best of all, it’s affordable enough for mimosa makings, too.

Montinore Estate Borealis 2012
$13, Prestige Beverage Group
Montinore Estate crafts elegant, flavorful wines from certified organically grown grapes in Oregon. Their “Borealis” white is a blend assembled from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Müller-Thurgau, and Gewürztraminer. The result is a deftly light, ever-so-slightly sweet white wine that was practically born to brunch. Serve chilled, it will easily wash down whatever you’re having.

Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône 2013
$16, The Country Vintner
Red wine can be tough to tackle for brunch. Easy options include softies like Pinot Noir or the French grape Gamay, most famously grown in Beaujolais. For something equally versatile, but with a bit more punch, consider a wine made from Grenache. With this wine, all it takes is a little tomato in that omelet to transform the experience into a Southern French affair. It also pairs well with deli meats, pâté, and cheeses.

Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2013
$18, Cape Starz
The Iona winery was founded in 1998 in the South African region of Elgin. From the beginning, it was understood that this plot in Africa had a climate similar to Sancerre, the source of great Sauvignon blanc in France. Indeed, this offering shows off lemon-driven citrus, subtle minerals, and a long, clean finish. Not only is it a classic Sauvignon blanc, it’s a testament to African wines and a fitting addition to your meal, be it in honor of Kwanzaa or any occasion.

Notte Italiana Prosecco NV
$16, Monsieur Touton
Sparkling wine is the most popular category of wine during the holidays. Whether for toasting friends or ringing in the New Year, bubbles are a mandatory part of any gathering. Prosecco, Italy’s most recognizable sparkler, boasts pear and citrus tones, is juicy and not too dry, and has appeal beyond the wine enthusiast’s palate. Notte Italiana is certified kosher as well, but ready for a party of any denomination.

Chateau Musar Jeune Rouge 2011
$23, The Country Vintner
The “Jeune Rouge” is made of Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. It is a heady red wine with deep red fruits and an earthy, sturdy backbone. If red meat plays into your Christmas feast, this is a fine companion. After all, it was during the Feast of Cana that Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, a mere 75 miles south of this Lebanese chateau!

Broadbent Vinho Verde NV
$12, The Winebow Group

Vinho Verde is that crisp, lightly effervescent white wine of Portugal, known for its faint greenish hue. It’s crafted from indigenous grape varieties, and Broadbent shipped this one in refrigerated containers to preserve its electric freshness. Hints of green apricot, melon, and fresh English peas here, along with a crisp mineral note and a fresh, spritzy finish. Chill one down and then chill out.

Lieu Dit Chenin Blanc 2012
$30, Prestige Beverage Group

It’s rare when a California white wine offers the character and dryness that the same grape displays in Europe. And yet, in the Lieu Dit Chenin Blanc, we’ve found a white wine with so much character, it deserves recognition. Made from vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, this wine is redolent with the lacy minerals and stone fruits that make Chenin Blanc so famous in places such as Savennières. 

Domaine Reine Juliette Picpoul de Pinet 2012
$12, Vignobles LVDH

If Vinho Verde is Portugal’s summer white wine of choice, then for Mediterranean French it is surely Picpoul de Pinet. Made from the Picpoul grape grown on coastal vineyards, this Languedoc gem delights the palate with light peach, citrus, and minerals, along with a faint hint of fresh seaside salinity. Delicious on its own, it also pairs well with chilled shrimp or fried chicken.

Estandon Brut Rose Méthode Traditionnelle “Fines Bulles”$35,
Constantine Wines

Like the Segura Viudas Cava, this wine is made with the same technique as Champagne, but yields a different result. Produced in Provence, it draws on the lustier red grapes of the region—Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah—for both its body and pink color. It’s full-flavored, with notes of cherry, blood orange, and thyme. Pairs well with salmon or even burgers.

Gemin Prosecco di Valdobbiadene NV
$16, Grappoli Imports

There’s no shortage of fresh and lively examples of Prosecco, Italy’s national aperitif. The Gemin is classic, with plenty of pear and white-peach notes, but it’s also creamier, drier, and more interesting than many of its peers. Not as dry as the Aria, it will do better with mildly spicy things like wings or grilled sausages. Slap a few into a cooler, and you’ll soon forget about the July heat!

Segura Viudas Cava Estate
Brut NV “Aria” $15, Reliable Churchill

This bubbly hails from the Penedès region of Spain, just outside of Barcelona. The second fermentation (the one responsible for the bubbles) takes place in the bottle, just as in Champagne. The result is a sparkling wine with a creamy texture and plenty of finesse, with pretty tropical fruit tones and a clean, dry finish. If you’re grilling chicken or fish, this is the wine for you.

Calstar Cellars Rosé of Pinot Meunier 2013

$20, RSVP Wines

Winemaker Rick Davis enjoys renown as a craftsman of fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California. When he decided to try his hand at something pink, the result was a juicy, ever-so-slightly off-dry expression, full of watermelon and raspberry tones.

Saint Roch les Vignes Côtes de Provence 2013

$15, Washburn Wine Co.

The trademark pale-salmon color of rosés from France’s Provence region could fool you into thinking that the wine lacks flavor. It doesn’t. Bright raspberry, peach, and lemony citrus burst from the wine, with a dry finish laced with savory herbs.

Castello di Ama Rosato 2013

$25, The Country Vintner

Castello di Ama is among the best wineries of Italy’s Chianti region. The estate’s Rosé is hewn from the same Sangiovese crop as the area’s red wines and echoes their earthy, red-cherry intensity. It is a broader interpretation of rosé, with a slightly creamy finish.

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Warm weather is finally in full bloom. For wine lovers, that means it’s time to drink rosé. If you associate rosé with the sickly sweet pink stuff of the past, please know that the wine has grown up. We’ve culled three delicious examples that have sprouted up this season.

Cherry Cove Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2011

$19, Potomac Selections

For finger foods and warm temperatures, this Pinot Noir fits the bill. It is light-bodied and flavorful with notes of currant and wild raspberry that are supported by a dash of Oregon earthiness. Its soft, supple finish offers just the right contrast for watching a fast-paced horse race.

Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris 2013

$16, Prestige Beverage Group

Hailing from France’s Corbiéres region and made mostly from the Grenache Gris grape, this pink number exudes ripe strawberry and summer-melon tones with a dry, slightly herbal finish. It is a surprisingly serious spring sipper.

Botani Sparkling Muscat NV 2012

$16, The Country Vintner

Moscato d’Asti is the reigning champion of sweet but sophisticated sparklers. This Spanish newcomer is a serious contender for the crown. It has the same peach-driven juicy flavors one expects from Muscat, adding mineral notes and a balanced acidity that are almost electric.

Domaine Pichot Vouvray Brut 2010

$25, Bacchus Importers

This light, lilting sparkling wine is a great way to kick off spring. Here, Chenin Blanc shows its lacy dry side, with cool mineral undertones and prim yellow-stone fruit nuances. There is also a hint of mint around the edges, all of which makes for a bright and refreshing glass of bubbly.

Charles Bove Vouvray 2012

$18, The Country Vintner

In the region of Vouvray, sweetness gets turned up ever so slightly to reveal a juicy, friendly Chenin Blanc. The trademark Loire Valley mineral streak remains, but the fruit notes are riper and a bit richer. It still finishes pretty dry and is a sublime match with any of the goat cheeses made in the Loire Valley.

Domaine Laffourcade Savennières 2010

$35, Voila! Wines

Don’t be put off by the vintage. A good Savennières often needs a couple of years to outgrow its sharp edges and searing acidity. The reward can be found in this example: rich apricot and peach flavors, heady floral aromas, talc and limestone minerals, and an electric zing of acidity on the finish.

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Once the playground of royalty, France’s Loire Valley is the home of
fine French cuisine, a breadbasket for much of the country, and the
producer of some of the region’s best wines. Chenin Blanc is one of its
iconic grapes and has a surprising diversity.

Merlot has endured a tarnished reputation for years. Many insiders
blame the movie Sideways for making fun of Merlot drinkers while
extolling the virtues of Pinot Noir; I’m not convinced an indie film, no
matter how good, was solely responsible for Merlot’s downfall. Perhaps
we were all simply yearning for lighter-bodied reds. Nonetheless, most
of the Merlot out there is well worth checking out.

Neyers Merlot Napa Valley 2010

$40, Prestige Beverage Group

Bruce
Neyers, the national sales manager for esteemed French and Italian wine
importer Kermit Lynch, could have gone in any direction when it came
time to plant his own vineyard. He went with Merlot. He farms these
vines organically, and the result is outstanding. Deeply saturated red
fruits rest on a rich bed of cocoa and plums.

Chateau de Fontenille Grand Bordeaux 2010

$13, The Country Vintner

Fontenille’s
vineyards are located on the gravelly soils of Entre-Deux-Mers. This
Merlot-dominated blend (there’s a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet
Franc in the mix) is a perky red, with the wine’s trademark
plum-and-soft-cassis tones supported by soft tannins and lively acidity.
It has a lot of verve for this price.

Bordeaux is Merlot’s ancestral home, where the wine has been an institution for hundreds of years rather than a passing fad.

Rust en Vrede Stellenbosch Merlot 2012

$20, Bacchus Importers

South
African wines tend to straddle the line between new-world opulence and
old-world style, and this one is no exception. It shows off attractive,
ripe flavors of plum, currant, and cherry, but with the sort of
smoke-and-tobacco undertones that one would be hard pressed to unearth
in a California wine.

St. Valentine is the enigmatic Italian who has evolved into a symbol
of love and affection, and what is a more romantic setting than Tuscany
in Italy? With its tidy estates of grapes and olive groves, luxurious
villas, mouthwatering cuisine, and world-class wines, this legendary
jewel draws many with its allure. We’ve gathered three wines that embody
the passion and flavor of the region, just in time for your Valentine’s
Day dinner.

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona IGT Toscana Rosso 2011

$15, The Country Vintner

Hailing
from the hill town of Montalcino and composed of 70 percent Sangiovese
and a 30-percent mix of Merlot and Syrah, this red wine is
simultaneously delicious and hugely versatile. It possesses a seamless
integration of ripe red fruits, supple texture, and a bright finish.

Fèlsina I Sistri Chardonnay 2010

$28, Bacchus Importers

This
offering from famed Chianti producer Fèlsina is a full-bodied and
creamy Chardonnay with hints of tropical fruit and nectarine, framed by
vanilla accents. Rich and luxurious cream sauces and succulent seafood
are this wine’s natural companions.

Bibbiano “Vigna del Capannino” Chianti Classico 2008

$35, Bacchus Importers

From
the bucolic estate of Tenuta di Bibbiano comes this special selection
from Capannino, its most prized vineyard. Here, the Sangiovese Grosso
grape yields ripe, deep-fruit notes supported in the cellar by just the
right dollop of oak influence.

We’ve taken stock of wines made from organic grapes and found three to suit any need.

Meinklang Pinot Noir 2011

$17, Siema Wines

Pinot Noir is a fickle grape, giving growers all manner of
problems—temperature sensitivity, molds, and predation from insects to
birds and deer. But Austria’s Meinklang cultivates robust biodiversity
in its vineyards, making it difficult for Pinot’s enemies to establish
themselves.

This wine will please fans of France’s Burgundy region with its similar highlights of currant and raspberry.

Nuevo Mundo Sauvignon Blanc 2013

$15, Organic Vintners

This Chilean offering has all the hallmarks of a classic Sauvignon
Blanc with bright, lemon-lime citrus notes and a racy acidity. It’s a
deliciously juicy and versatile wine that pairs well with mild cheese
and seafood.

Edmunds St. John Rocks and Gravel 2012

$32, Potomac Selections

This bottling—a blend of organically grown Grenache, Syrah, and
Mourvèdre—is a supple exercise in restraint with red raspberry and
cherry from the Grenache,
a hint of savory smoke from the Syrah, and
an earthy grip from the Mourvèdre. This is a medium-bodied effort that
isn’t light on flavor.