Hello, Spring! At this transition time of year, it's as useful to clean your palate as it is your closets or your yard. Bring in something fresh. There are lots of choices here at Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse. Here are some suggestions.

I truly believe bubbles make everything better, and a new Prosecco in the store will have you feeling the same way. It's the Divigna Valdobbiadene DOCG. From the Veneto region in northeastern Italy (whose capital is Venice), this sparkler made from the Glera grape received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine, whose reviewer described it this way: "Intense aromas of golden delicious apples, Anjou pear, lemon zest, white flowers, pink ginger and crushed rock. The palate has a slight lemon pith note that balances out the fruity notes of the wine with a kiss of saltiness. A very tasty Prosecco!"

I had it with friends and family for Easter, and while we didn't pick up on all of those descriptors, we all agreed it's delicious - clean, bright, some citrus and some floral - yes, a very tasty Prosecco, indeed. It's a "Sourced & Certified" selection here at the store, which means it's a great buy at $18.73, with an additional 10% off each bottle when you buy 6 or more. Seriously, stock up on this one.

Rose is a wonderful spring transition wine for those of us who lean red in cooler weather, and white when it's warm. A nice rose can bring your palate right out of hibernation. There are oodles of crisp, dry roses here, and it's almost an eeny-meeny-miny-moe thing when you get to the shelves. I actually did that the other day and landed on the La Rural Old Vines Malbec Rose from Argentina.

Malbec has a distinctive earthiness, and this rose is grounded in notes of pomegranate and rose petals buoyed by a refreshing acidity. It's a winner, and pairs perfectly with springtime brunchy foods like asparagus and salads and quiche and smoked salmon.

If you simply can't resist reds, consider a mouthwatering Pinot Noir from Oregon. Dave chose one for his class on wines from the Pacific Northwest that really won me over - the Erath Pinot Noir.

Located in Dundee, its founder, Dick Erath, was a pioneer of Pinot in the Willamette Valley, and the winery is now over 40 years old. This vintage is described as having aromas of cola, dark cherry, cassis, and a hint of mandarin orange. On the palate there's bright cherry and red plum.

At 13% ABV, it's light and lively, fruit-forward and playful, which is how I like Pinot. Not only can it be paired with grilled meats, but it's also delightful with lighter fair.

As always, there are so many wonderful wines in the store, and we're happy to help you choose ones that are just right for dinner, a gift, a special occasion, or just because.

Cheers!