Unfiltered, Unfined

An additional harbinger of spring is the sudden prevalence of white wines at tastings and in my sample bin. Whites often come out six-to-nine months before the same vintage’s reds, and a side benefit of this plethora is that, just as with my mountain weather gazing, I get an idea of what’s coming down the pike in the near future. So whether one favors bubbles or still whites, dry juice or sweet, now is the time to discover, learn about, and stock up on spring whites.

Could you suggest a buttery Chardonnay for before-dinner drinking? Also, could you suggest a wine for a Raclette dinner? Raclette is a type of cheese that melts in a special tray before boiled new potatoes are poured in. It’s accompanied by Cornichon pickles and a sausage grilled on top of the tray.