There is no better way to welcome spring than to indulge in the season’s most delicious food and wine pairings.

As I am writing this, we are just one day from the official start of spring. And while I am not sure how this could have happened so quickly (again), I certainly love longer days and warmer temperatures.

It is also the time when farm stalls suddenly look different from only a few weeks ago. New potatoes, a growing abundance of spring vegetables, including the first asparagus, and yes, even strawberries are back.

With seasonal food transitioning to lighter flavours, the wines to best match the popular spring recipes also change to fresher and lighter styles.

So, today I share a list of my favourite spring recipes along with matching wine suggestions for inspiration.

Popular asparagus recipes and best wine pairings

Said to be one of the most difficult foods to be paired with wine, there is nonetheless a fairly long list of wines that pair well with the popular spring vegetable.

That said, not all asparagus is equal. While in many countries, asparagus is synonymous with the green stems, white asparagus is hugely popular in some countries.

How asparagus will be prepared will also impacts on the best wine pairing.

Asparagus crostini – Champagne, German Winzersekt

Creamy asparagus soup – Riesling, Grüner Veltliner

Asparagus frittata – Campagne, Pinot Blanc, Riesling

Green and white asparagus tart – Cabernet Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris

White asparagus with ham and hollandaise sauce – Champagne, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner

White asparagus with Frankfurter green sauce – Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling

Garlic butter shrimp and green asparagus – Grüner Veltliner

Steamed asparagus – Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc

Popular pea recipes for spring and best wine pairings

Fresh sweet peas are in season from April through July in Europe, so this is the time to make the best of them. And they are not only great as sides.  

Pea bruschetta – Franciacorta sparkling wine, Champagne

Pea soup with crayfish – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Verdicchio, Vermentino

Pea risotto – Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, Pinot Blanco, Soave, Lugana

Popular Wild garlic recipes for spring and best wine pairings

Wild garlic is another notoriously difficult food to be matched with wine. It’s distinct flavour and complex strength demands equally intense wines. Once again, how wild garlic is used very much determines the best wine pairing. It is more pungent when used raw in a salad or pesto but more toned down when cooked.

Wild garlic soup –dry Riesling, Albarino, Gewürztraminer

Wild garlic risotto – Albarino, Gewürztraminer, Barbera

Wild garlic ravioli – Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc

Popular pasta recipes for spring and best wine pairings

If you love pasta, try some of the most popular Italian spring pasta recipes. They are not only easy and quick to prepare, but they also really put spring on your table.

Lemon linguine with shrimp – Chardonnay, Rosé, a red Valpolicella,

Pasta primavera – Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rosé

Asparagus ravioli – Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Grüner Veltliner

Popular lamb recipes for spring and best wine pairings

Spring is peak season for lamb, even though it’s available year-round. In many European countries, lamb is a particularly popular dish for Easter and the extended spring season.

Lamb chops – Pinot Noir, Beaujolais

Roast leg of lamb with spring vegetables – Chianti Classico

Slow cooked lamb – Cabernet Sauvignon

Lamb curry – Riesling, Viognier

Do you have a favourite spring recipe? What wine do you usually pair with it?