Mother’s Day 2020: Six Wines To Elevate the Day

Mother’s Day 2020 has new meaning with shelter in place orders; most of us cannot celebrate in the traditional ways. For some, we enjoy the day at home, and for others, it will be a virtual Mother’s Day. Here are some wine selections for either type of get together.

When I think of Mother’s Day 2020, I think of either sparkling wine, white wine, or Rosé. It is those pastel-colored wines that highlight the perfect Mother’s Day. Here are some suggestions to celebrate with mom.

Mother’s Day 2020 Sparkling Wine

Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence: This non-vintage, Mendocino County sparkling wine is created in the Methode Traditionelle process, where wines are individually bottle-fermented before riddling and disgorging. Unique to this wine is the addition of four to five percent of Pinot Noir to the blend before undergoing the second fermentation in the bottle. This extra Pinot Noir gives the wine its fruit balance and its lovely pale pink, almost coral color. The result, a wine with strawberry aromas on the nose and raspberry flavors on the palate. I found a light Brut Rose composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir displaying a fruity yet creamy consistency with some sweetness on the finish. The color speaks of mom.

Mother’s Day 2020 White Wine

When I think of white wine for Mother’s Day brunch, my thoughts go to wines that accentuate the floral aspects of these wines.

Oak Farm Vineyards 2018 Albariño: From Lodi, I found a very fruit-forward wine with flavors of pineapple. On the nose, the aromas of grapefruit, lemon, and white flower prevail. At first, the wine displayed lots of effervescence, but as it dissipates, one finds a very fresh, refreshing wine with spice on the finish. The florals in this Albariño come from Lodi’s warm days and cool nights and soils that are a bit richer than those in Spain’s Rias Baixas.

The grapes come from three different Lodi vineyards and are sustainably farmed and certified green under the Lodi Rules. This certification means that Lodi vintners and farmers are supporting a sustainable grape growing program that encompasses the concept of taking responsibility for the environment and people in the agricultural community.

Domaine Anderson Estate Chardonnay 2016: Find a Burgundian styled Chardonnay that speaks of the Anderson Valley. My first words upon tasting this Chardonnay was apples. On the nose, discover aromas of spice, lemon, apple, and honeysuckle. On the palate, Granny Smith apples, and lime accentuate the spice that comes forth on the finish. The wine ferments in both barrels and stainless steel and ages ten months in mostly used oak.

River Road Reserve Chardonnay 2018: This wine represents an excellent value for the everyday drinker. I found viscosity in the texture for this full-bodied Chardonnay that delivers pears on both the nose and palate. The wine also ferments in both oak barrels, and stainless steel with sur lie aging on the grapes that ferment in barrels.

Mother’s Day 2020 with JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery

After a virtual tasting with Allison Crawford, tasting room manager of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery with their Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé, I had to include these wines into the Mother’s Day 2020 mix. JUSTIN Winery is considered one of the oldest wineries in Paso Robles. Established in 1981, the winery has played a vital role in the establishment of Paso Robles as an AVA. Justin Baldwin, although he sold the winery in 2010, still plays an essential part in the winemaking process as he is the brand ambassador and also consults on the ultimate blend of many of the wines.

JUSTIN is primarily known for their Bordeaux blends, including their flagship wine of ISOSCELES. With such a prominent pedigree in the Paso Region, I could not leave out these wines that are my representation of Paso Robles Mother’s Day wines.

JUSTIN Sauvignon Blanc 2019: This wine combines grapes from various regions along the Central Coast. Primarily Paso Robles with Santa Barbara County. The idea is to create a food-friendly wine at a very affordable price. I found a fresh, clean, bright Sauvignon Blanc that exudes lots of acidity and minerality. The wine exhibits flavors of lemon and green apples and delivers aromas of lemon, apples, and pineapple.

JUSTIN Rosé 2019: Like the Sauvignon Blanc, the wine characterized by light, fresh and lean qualities. A very dry Rosé with lots of acidity and minerality. I found aromas of melon and flavors of strawberries accented by herbal notes. Consisting of primarily Syrah, the grapes go through whole cluster pressing followed by fermentation with some white wine. The type of white wine varies on the year, and its purpose is the give the Rosé complexity, more acidity, and an uplift. The white variety added instills the expression winemaker, Scott Shirley wants in a particular year. His ultimate goal is to bring you summer in a glass.

Have a Happy Mother’s Day 2020 whether you enjoy a Mother’s Day brunch or just a nice day outside if weather permits, but most importantly please stay safe and shelter at home.

Note: Common to the wine industry, this writer received hosted wine samples. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.