The Spring Feeling We’ve Been Waiting On
If you live on the Lakeshore, you know the waiting game. We stare at the lake like it owes us money. We track the forecast like a coach watches film—looking for any sign the opponent (winter) is finally getting tired.
Spring is when everything starts to wake up: people, patios, grills, and honestly… your palate. Heavy reds had their season. Big barrel-aged whites had their moments. But spring is when you want clean, crisp, high-acid wines that make food taste better and don’t wear you out after one glass.
Sauvignon Blanc is basically the lead-off hitter for spring drinking. It sets the pace. It wakes up your taste buds. It tells your brain, “We’re done hibernating.”
What Earthsong Is (And Why Dillons Point Matters)
Earthsong is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and Marlborough is the global benchmark for the style most people actually mean when they say “Sauv Blanc”: bright citrus, tropical lift, punchy aromatics, and that mouthwatering snap.
This bottle specifically calls out Single Vineyard – Dillons Point. That matters because Dillons Point is known for Sauvignon Blanc that leans more tropical and more coastal—often a little broader in the mid-palate, with a subtle saline/briny edge that makes it ridiculously food-friendly.
The shelf talker for Earthsong doesn’t overcomplicate it. It calls out blackcurrant and grapefruit, a rich, bright, zesty palate, and a slight briny tang with a crisp mineral finish. (Also: 2025 not yet rated, which is normal for a fresh-release vintage cycle.)
That briny note? That’s the “Lakeshore handshake.” It’s the same reason oysters, seafood, salty snacks, and spring vegetables suddenly taste more alive next to this kind of wine.
Tasting Breakdown: What It Actually Drinks Like
Let’s keep this in real language:
- Nose: grapefruit zest, passionfruit/tropical lift, a little blackcurrant-leaf edge (that green-black “snap” that good Marlborough does well).
- Palate: bright and zesty up front, then it fills out—more fruit intensity than bargain-bin Sauvignon Blanc.
- Finish: crisp, clean, lightly mineral, and that subtle briny tang that makes you want another sip.
If you’re someone who says, “I don’t like Sauvignon Blanc because it’s too sharp,” Earthsong is a good bridge—still lively, but with enough mid-palate fruit to keep it from feeling like lemon water with an attitude.
If you’re someone who loves that Marlborough intensity, Earthsong plays in the zone you want—without requiring a $25–$30 commitment.
The Price Reality Check: $16.99 Is a Sweet Spot
Alright—money talk.
You’ve got Earthsong sitting at $16.99 on the shelf (in your photo). Now compare that to what this same bottle often sells for elsewhere:
- I’m seeing Earthsong listed at $19.99 at multiple retailers online.
- I’m also seeing it listed higher—$24.99 in at least one online listing.
So $16.99 is not “fine.” It’s good. It’s the kind of price that lets you buy two bottles—one for the first warm Saturday, and one for the inevitable “fake spring” that drops back into the 30s.
And to give you aisle-level context at big West Michigan-style retailers: Meijer often runs Sauvignon Blanc deals where solid options can land around $10–$12 on sale (example: Starborough at $11.99 sale, $16.99 regular). You can definitely drink cheaper Sauvignon Blanc. But Earthsong is playing a different game: single-vineyard, higher intensity, and more texture.
This is where I put my old hedge-fund hat on: value isn’t “lowest price.” Value is what you get for what you spend. Earthsong at $16.99 is like grabbing a reliable veteran player on a fair contract. You’re not paying for hype. You’re paying for performance.
“Okay Jeff—So What Do I Eat With It?”
This is the fun part, because this wine screams spring food.
West Michigan spring wins:
- Walleye or perch, pan-fried or lightly battered (the citrus + brine combo is money)
- Asparagus (yes, asparagus—Sauvignon Blanc is one of the few wines that doesn’t get weird with it)
- Goat cheese salads, lemon vinaigrette, herbs
- Sushi or poke bowls
- Tacos—especially fish tacos, shrimp tacos, or anything with lime + cilantro
- Grilled chicken with chimichurri or a citrusy marinade
And here’s a Lakeshore-specific pairing that just works:
Smoked fish dip + crackers after a cold day on the water. The wine’s acidity cleans up the richness, and that little coastal note feels like it belongs.
Who Should Buy This (And Who Should Skip It)
Buy this if you:
- Want a spring-ready white that’s crisp but not thin
- Like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc but don’t want to pay premium brand pricing
- Want a food wine, not just a “sip and scroll” wine
- Love citrus, tropical fruit, and that clean mineral finish
Maybe skip it if you:
- Only like oaky Chardonnay
- Hate any “green” or herbal edge in whites
- Prefer softer, low-acid wines (try Pinot Gris or an off-dry Riesling instead)
Where It Lands in the Spring Lineup
I look at spring wines like a coach building a lineup:
- Lead-off hitter: Sauvignon Blanc (wakes up the palate)
- Cleanup hitter: Rosé (more body, still fresh)
- Utility player: Riesling (handles spice, handles sweetness, handles weird pairings)
- Closer: Sparkling (finishes strong, always a crowd-pleaser)
Earthsong is a strong lead-off option. It gets the season moving.
And honestly? After the long West Michigan wait for spring—after the gray skies and the salt and the “is it snowing again?”—a wine like this is a small celebration that doesn’t require a special occasion.
