SPRING GREENS
All eyes are on asparagus right now but my favorite is as straightforward as it is delicious. Sometimes, on spring nights when I’m on my own for dinner, I’ll wrap asparagus spears in slices of prosciutto, drizzle them with a little olive oil and cracked pepper and throw them in the toaster oven. Eight or so minutes later, you can find me eating them standing at the counter—they’re that good. Most nights however, the house is brimming with people and when I need to whip up an appetizer, passed hors d'oeuvres, or a charcuterie board, I’ll make those same prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears and (reluctantly) share.
Angela Beck
And what to pour with it? I’m so glad you asked. I’ve discovered the perfect balance to the saltiness of the prosciutto and vibrancy of asparagus is a crisp, slightly citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. For a few years now, wine people have been telling us to pay attention to sauv blancs from Chile, which are giving those from places like New Zealand a run for their money—Chile’s wines are also quite a lot less money!
Here are three good pours:
La Playa Estate’s 2020 Sauvignon Blanc ($10.99)
- From the Colchagua Valley, slightly southwest of Santiago and where a lot of Chile’s wine is produced. It’s a gorgeously lush region famous for having a microclimate ideal for vineyards and growing fruits and vegetables.
- Winery is a family affair founded by a Danish man and run by his two sons and their sauv blanc is delish.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2019 ($17.99)
- Legacy brand Baron Philippe de Rothschild is synonymous with world-class wines.
- The company’s presence in Chile is its vineyard, winery and tasting rooms in Maipo Valley, another region just outside of Santiago.
- Fans of Bordeaux wines will appreciate the connection to the illustrious (and seriously fancy) Château Mouton Rothschild.
