Wines For Mother's Day Slideshow

Attems Pinot Grigio 2011, $19

Located amongst the foothills of the Alps, the Collio region of Italy is romantic and windswept. Famous for its impressive coasts, smooth hills, blooming plains, and snowy mountains, this area is also known for producing the most complex and elegant pinot grigios in the world. The Attems Pinot Grigio 2011 is lovely, rich wine with a straw yellow color and a well-balanced fruity finish. Attems pairs well with rustic Italian seafood dishes and spring salads.

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $14

From Wine Spectator: "The spicy quince and Asian pear flavors rest on a crisp, juicy body, with plenty of lime zest and grapefruit notes, especially on the finish."

Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto 2011, $19

Surprise your mom this Mother's Day with an exquisite white wine made from a varietal she's probably never tried before. The Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto 2011(from Caprai, the 2012 European Winery of the Year named by Wine Enthusiast) is made from 100 percent grechetto grapes, an indigenous variety grown only in Umbria, Italy, and will please any mom who's typically a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc drinker. Crisp and mouthwatering, the wine bursts with complex fruit flavors and minerality, and lingers on the palate for an exceptionally long finish. 

Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2011, $12

From Wine Spectator: "Lemongrass, Meyer lemon, apple and tangy apricot flavors are aromatic, bright and very refreshing, with fresh ginger on the finish." 

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $18

From Wine Spectator: "The citrus flavors are balanced by fleshy notes of peach and nectarine, with a spicy finish and plenty of pop from the vibrant acidity."

Lambrusco Amabile Cantina Di Sorbara NV, $9

Says Jessica Certo, the sommelier at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in New York City, lambrusco is a bubbly red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region in north-central Italy. "Traditionally simplistic and fruity, it can be slightly sweet, but the best versions are dry and a bit meaty. This Amabile lambrusco is a shoe-in for cured meats and hard cheeses, but also pairs well with a wide variety of foods from risotto to pizza," she says.

Protea Chenin Blanc 2012, $19

From South Africa, this chenin blanc stays true to its roots. This light, accessible wine has notes of pear, citrus, and honeysuckle with lots of floral aromas — a perfect beginner's wine to the start of a Mother's Day meal. (Not to mention that the bottle is itself a piece of art.) 

Terrazas Reserva Torrontés 2012 and Terrezas Reserva Chardonnay, $18 and $20

The 2012 vintage, once poured, is a pale yellow wine that shines and sparkles. Tropical fruits like passion fruit, lychee, and banana are set off by floral notes of white roses. Ever so spicy with fascinating ginger notes, it's no surprise to find it lively and alluring on the palate. Striking an excellent balance between acidity and brown sugar sweetness, this wine offers a great aromatic finish and is easy to drink. The Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay is an intense, fruity, and complex wine. It boasts fruit aromas of papaya and apricot, with floral notes such as white blossom and jasmine. Hints of fresh butter and caramel add complexity and roundness to the finish. Food pairings to consider with the chardonnay? Any seafood or chicken dish with a creamy base.