Mother’s Day is almost here, and that means it’s time to pour, pair, and picnic with purpose. As a sommelier and olive oil expert, I live for creating experiences around food, wine, and elevated everyday items that add joy to the table—and this season is bringing all of that and more. Whether you’re planning to give your mom a day to herself full of wine, great food, or a basket full of accessories, here’s a list that she will love! Choose what you like, mix and match, and always remember to please pair responsibly!

Château de Bligny Grande Rosé– This beautiful Champagne from the Aube region of France shines with a pale salmon hue and persistent fine bubbles. The nose offers delicate notes of wild strawberries, red currants, and a touch of citrus zest. On the palate, it’s layered with brioche, raspberry cream, and subtle hints of almond, finishing dry with a refreshing minerality.

Pair it with: Grilled shrimp skewers with lemon-herb butter and a summer greens salad drizzled in Somm in the Grove Picual EVOO.

Cantina Zaccagnini Blanc de Blancs– From Abruzzo, Italy a region I have always loved and wanted to visit hails this beautiful bubbly wine made from 100% Pecorino. It’s full of apple, citrus, pears, and flowers. It’s bright and refreshing with medium structure and goes perfectly with so many of your summer favorites.

Pair it with: Sushi, Cheese, and Seafood. 

Granbazán Albariño Etiqueta Verde- From Rías Baixas, Spain, this Albariño is crisp and expressive with vibrant acidity. Aromas of white flowers, green apple, and citrus lead into a clean, refreshing palate marked by saline minerality and stone fruit. I had the pleasure of visiting the area these wines are from many, many years ago. It’s a dream to go back and visit this iconic winery who’s famed for producing some of the best albariño in the entire world!

Pair it with: Snapper ceviche with avocado and lime, served with chilled cucumber slices.

Bezel Chardonnay- A modern California Chardonnay with elegance and depth. This is a fun new winemaking project from Jane Dunkley and the winery itself is from the Cakebread Family! We know how much I love Cakebread wines, and in the past have written about them many times. I was so excited to try these now and this Chard, it opens with aromas of pear, baked apple, and a hint of lemon curd, followed by subtle notes of vanilla, toast, and a smooth creamy texture. The finish is long, with balanced oak and acidity.
Pair it with: Crab cakes topped with lemon-dill aioli and a side of roasted summer corn.

Mendes & Symington Contacto Alvarinho 2023– From Portugal’s Monção and Melgaço subregions, this Alvarinho bursts with energy. Expect floral aromatics, lime zest, white peach, and a signature Atlantic salinity. It’s bright, crisp, and exceptionally food-friendly which is why it’s one of my new favorites for summer sipping. I have become a little obsessed with trying to get some great Portuguese wines down here in Tennessee, and will be working on just that because wines from Portugal are stunning, powerful, unique, and have an old world elegance that can pair with so much. This wine is going to be one of your favorite sip-able summer whites!

Pair it with: Grilled scallops over watermelon-feta salad with mint and arugula.

Erik Martella Wines- I had the pleasure of tasting two beautiful wines from Erik Martella, a winemaker crafting small-batch, low-intervention wines in North Carolina. The Summer Kitchen White Wine is made using traditional practices similar to those for Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of overripe pear, honeydew melon, and white mushroom lead to a crisp, acid-driven finish. It’s captivating and refreshing.  The Stockinette Red is made using carbonic maceration, resulting in a juicy, vibrant wine with aromas of cherry compote, violets, and a touch of earthy spice. It’s chillable, crushable, and ideal for summer sipping.

Pair Summer Kitchen with: Burrata and grilled peaches with a balsamic glaze.

Pair Stockinette with: Charcuterie and a sunset picnic on the porch.

 

The Pale Rosé by Sacha Lichine- A quintessential Provencal rosé that is as chic as it is delicious. Pale pink in color, with notes of white peach, wild strawberry, and rose petal. The palate is dry, crisp, and whisper-light, perfect for those long, lazy summer afternoons. This wine I feature at almost all my tastings in home and at venue spaces because it’s the rosé that goes with everything and captivates you upon first look at the label. The first sip is magic, and a perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and elegance!

Pair it with: Niçoise salad or tomato tart with basil and goat cheese.

 

Gary Farrell 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir- Refined and elegant, this Gary Farrell Rochioli – Honoring a Legend Pinot Noir opens with an expressive bouquet of ripe red cherry, raspberry compote, and rose petals, followed by hints of forest floor and baking spice. It makes it a bit “zippy” in the best way. On the palate, it’s elegantly structured with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a graceful balance of fruit and savory earthiness. Layers of cranberry, pomegranate, and subtle oak give way to a long finish, paying homage to the iconic Rochioli Vineyard with both power and poise!

Pair it with: Grilled duck breast or roasted beet salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts.

Carmel Signature Mediterranean Red- The Carmel Signature Mediterranean Red is a bold yet elegant blend that showcases the sun-drenched character of Israel’s Mediterranean climate. With notes of ripe black cherry, dried herbs, warm spices, and a touch of vanilla, this wine brings richness and balance to every sip. Its medium to full body and silky tannins make it incredibly food-friendly! For Mother’s Day, this wine offers something thoughtful and elevated, ideal for a cozy dinner with mom that feels like a getaway to the coast of Tel Aviv. It’s complex enough for a wine-loving mom, yet smooth and welcoming enough to please the whole table.

Pair it with: Roasted lamb, herbed chicken, or a Mediterranean-inspired cheese board.

Dolly Wines – Chardonnay & Pinot Noir- These are your go-to fridge friends—affordable, approachable, and ready for any occasion. The Chardonnay is fruity and floral with citrus and green apple, while the Pinot Noir is light, jammy, and easy-drinking. Basically if you love Dolly the way the world does, make these a part of your summer list, they’re fun for picnics, BBQ’s, and even make great bases to sangria!

Pair them with: Your favorite takeout, grilled hot dogs, or cheese boards with friends.

Sandy Giovese Boxed Wines – Rosso & Bianco- Sandy Giovese is here to change your mind about boxed wine—elevating everyday sipping with high-quality Italian juice that’s perfect for patio pours and spontaneous moments with mom. The Rosso is a soft, fruit-forward red with notes of cherry, red plum, and subtle earthiness, while the Bianco offers bright citrus, white peach, and a clean, mineral finish. What makes these boxed wines stand out is not just the taste, but the eco-friendly packaging and the fact that they stay fresh for weeks after opening. Perfect for an outdoor Mother’s Day brunch or a relaxed evening on the porch, Sandy Giovese wines let you sip without pressure and savor every moment.

Pair them with: a springy charcuterie spread or grilled veggies in the backyard! 

LIFESTYLE ESSENTIALS

Ai Love Peace Glass Lunch Container- Ideal for summer salads, fruit, and leftovers. These chic containers keep your food safe from plastics and are perfect for wine picnics or beach days. The Glass Container with Silicone Lid is perfect for my fruit salads and lunch dumplings shown in the picture. it comes with this adorable dressing or dip container and is perfectly chill-able and microwave safe. The collapsible fork also makes it ideal for traveling, work, and summer picnics by the water!

Ramen Bowl Set (with Chopsticks + Collapsible Utensils)- For soup-lovers on the go, this bowl is genius. It keeps your meals cozy and includes tools that tuck right into your tote. I love making Asian inspired soups and meals all year long, and always need a container that’s easy, can be held, and also stylish. Look forward to lunch with this great bowl with bold colors and those “to go” chopsticks that fit under the lid… genius! Ideal for poolside ramen or even a Mediterranean pasta salad.

CURE Hydration Packets – Fruit Punch- These electrolyte packets are nostalgic in the best way. Move over all other hydration packets, I have two new favorites this year and this is one of them. This is a plant based hydration that’s female founded, no sugar added, gluten free, Vegan, and has no GMO’s. What’s the catch? I haven’t found it yet, I am so impressed with the flavor and hydration of these, especially doing what I do for a living. The fruit punch flavor brings back childhood memories of Kool-Aid, but with no added sugar and only clean ingredients… Mom would approve!

Priority Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Graters + Lids- As a chef and entertaining expert, I can confidently say these bowls are everything. You can prep, mix, grate, and store all in one stylish set. Perfect for prepping salads, citrus zest, or summer slaws. I am always hosting events and looking for storage and easy access to my salads, and thanks to Priority Chef, I have just that now! Be sure to check out my reels with these bowls, they’re essential to any home chef!

Üllo Wine Purifier– This one is so fun for those looking to lessen the added sulfites in their wines. If you don’t have access to true, old world, organic wines with natural sulfites then I’d use this to make things a bit safer to consume. Normally I am not one to talk about wine accessories like this, but working in so many states and seeing who has access to which wines, it absolutely makes sense to have these if you’re new to wine and just trying things out, or if you have a flush reaction to some wines like even I do, yes as a sommelier even some wines give me the red face and flushed feeling. Using this with some of those wines that give me “that feeling” has helped so the Wine Purifier made the list for my summer must haves!

Decorably Tropical Summer Grocery List- I didn’t know how much I truly needed this until I tried it out, and wow! The colors and design is so user friendly and helps me when I am making my weekly grocery run. I always seem to forget the staples and Decorably took care of just that! It also has magnets to attach to my fridge for easy use and to help me not forget. If you’re like me, you loose your list often or make a dozen lists just to realize when you’re at the store it’s not there. Well, honestly this product has saved me my last few trips and I will continue to praise Decorably for keeping me a bit more organized as a consultant and business owner who plans tons of events, content, and also consults. Use code  SOMM10OFF with this link HERE .

Songbird Specialties Wine Bottle Pourer– Probably the cutest way to pour wine is this pourer! I was skeptical at first but I love my birds and love to hear them and this just added an extra level to my happiness. It’s one of those wine accessories you don’t think you need until you hear the chirps and then you wonder how you have lived without it. It’s an amazing gift for Mom for Mother’s Day and you can get 15% off using the code SOMMINTHECITY15 and the link HERE!

Final Pour
Want to make something special for mom? How about a Sangria Spritz? Using Real Sangria, some good Club Soda, and Thyme Syrup you can have this easy and low ABV cocktail made for her and her brunch in bed!

3 parts Real Sangria

2 Parts Club Soda

1 Part Thyme Syrup

  1. Mix all together into a glass of her choice. Add ice, and enjoy!

Between these thoughtful wines and go-to lifestyle items, summer has never looked so bright, balanced, and delicious. Whether you’re planning a wine dinner, beachside gathering, or just savoring an evening on the porch, I hope these pairings and tips bring joy to your table all season long.

Cheers to sunshine, sipping, and savoring the season. Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!