With our Spring showcase in full bloom, one of the most important holidays lurks just around the corner. Mother’s Day gives us the opportunity to remember the woman that birthed us into this world. Every family pays homage to their matriarch in different ways but this year we will add some juice of the vine to put a “perma-grin” on mom’s weathered face.

Sparkling Wine

Whether you are taking mom out to brunch or dinner at the house, a sparkling always seems to liven up the mood. In the hopes of keeping things classy, we opt for a traditional method sparkling wine. This production method sees the wine’s second ferment, the one that gives us the bubbles, in the very same bottle you pour from.

Although this is the definition of Champagne, we will be drinking domestic sparkling to both avoid the tariffs and to support our local producers through this tough time. The Pacific Northwest has long been overlooked by our east coast markets as a premier sparkling wine area. 2020 Estate Cuvée Blanc de Noirs Sparkling, Chehalem Mountains AVA ($60), produced by Raptor Ridge Winery demonstrates the capability of this region.

This 100% Pinot Noir has an amazing complexity due to the base wine seeing some barrel aging and spending 4 years on the lees (expired yeast) before disgorgement. The crunchy cherry, strawberry and citrus flavors are highlighted by a pastry element and nervy acidic finish. The fine mousse (bubbles) has a silky texture on the palate elevating this wine to an ethereal experience.

Riesling

If mom prefers a still white wine for her sipping delight, allow me to suggest a domestic Riesling. When referring to this grape variety, most will think of Germany, as it has over five times the vineyard area compared to any other country in the world. Riesling has, however, seen great success in United States vineyards particularly in New York, California, and Washington State.

Eroica Riesling 2023 Columbia Valley AVA ($22) represents a great example of an affordable version offering balance, freshness while staying true to the grape variety itself. Classic orchard fruit (apple, pear), a slight citrus component and orchard blossom floral elements provide a fun and easy drinking style of Riesling that is certain to be a crowd pleaser. Although most wrongfully assume that these wines always have residual sugar, the slight perceptible sweetness on the palate comes from the ripeness of fruit rather than any unfermented sugars. A contrived selected attribute as we thought your mother was probably sweet enough.

Pinot Noir

Perhaps mom leans more toward the red side of the spectrum in her beverage preferences. If she prefers her red wines to be low on the tannin side but still complex and interesting then I recommend New Zealand Pinot Noir. There are three main Pinot Noir producing regions in New Zealand and Marlborough tends to turn out wines that are the most bright and fruity of the group.

Nautilus Pinot Noir 2019, Marlborough New Zealand ($39) showcases all that these Marlborough Pinot Noir wines bring to the table. Aromas burst from the glass with assorted fruit (plum, raspberry, mulberry), woody crushed herbal note, and a slight sweet baking spice (cinnamon). The fresh bright acidity and finely grained almost imperceptible tannins will have mom downing a glass or two in no time.

Yadkin Valley Italian

For those mothers out there, that did not get enough tannin from tannin’ your hide when you were young, we have a big bold wine to fill her glass. Again, with tariffs now in place, drinking non-European will save a bit on the wallet and show your mother that she raised you proper; since you are supporting our domestic economy. With this choice, we need look no further than the hyperlocal AVA of Yadkin Valley North Carolina.

Although there are so many talented producers, amazing wines and a surprising diversity of varieties, one particular wine came to mind, Castello Barone Bacchus 2021 ($33). This blend of predominantly Tannat with some added Petit Verdot shows a nose of savory dark fruit (blackberry, black currant, plum), baking spice (anise, cardamom), floral (violet), and a “pipe tobacco in a wooden box” nuance. That may not be the descriptors you would think of for Mother’s Day wine, but trust me, if she likes the big reds, this may become her new “local” favorite.

Whatever you have planned to show your thankfulness to the woman that put up with your childhood shenanigans, be certain to add some liquid love along with it. Although she may not be one of the motives for your imbibing, the probability exists that you are certainly one of hers.