The Wine We Can’t Pronounce

What to do at the end of the summer? Labor Day weekend is approaching, so your best bet is to socialize with friends and try to get one last shot at a tan before it’s jacket time.
If you are tired of Rieslings, Chardonnays, and all those other white wines, it’s time to try a Gewürztraminer. This delicious white wine perfectly complements the summer with its sweet taste and floral aromas.
Gewürztraminer (guh-VERTS-tra MEE-ner) has a difficult name to pronounce. Think of the “W” sound as you would the “V” in the German pronunciation of Wagner.
Like Riesling, Gewürztraminer does not undergo malolactic fermentation which contributes to its refreshing taste and wonderful aroma. This wine drinks very very differently than a Chardonnay.
While Riesling is thought of as a rather sweet wine, Gewürztraminer is usually sweeter. However, this sweetness is offset by the spicy characteristics of the wine. This makes it suitable for paring with heavier foods than you would a Riesling. In fact, it is one of the few wines that pairs well with Asian cuisine.
Grown primarily in Germany and Alsace, Gewürztraminer is also grown in California and basically all over the world but Alsace is where the finest vintages come from. Typically, the German varieties are drier and less aromatic, whereas the Alsace Gewürztraminers are usually sweeter with a bold floral bouquet.
The Gewürztraminer grape has naturally high residual sugars which offset the acidity of the wine. This allows for Gewürztraminer to be drunk quite young. Some Gewürzes are meant to be aged but these are usually higher end wines.
Gewürztraminer is Riesling’s more adventurous friend. The spicy wine ranges from quite dry to, at the most extreme end, a heavy dessert wine that resembles a late harvest Riesling but spicy and very complex.
If you like interesting wines, pick one up for the weekend. Expect a complex white wine with a myriad of flavors and aromas. Still not convinced? Imagine this scenario:
You are entertaining and offer your guests a glass of wine. You have two choices to offer: Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Which one sounds cooler?
Definitely Gewürztraminer because it sounds like a mix between some sort of fantasy character and the Autobahn. This wine is hip like Lou Reed is hip. As in, it’s very old school and taught all your favorite bands how to rock.
Also, everyone has, likes, and recommends Riesling (for good reason). But Gewürztraminer is a very different, and unique, drinking experience which is worth trying.
Anyway, serve chilled and enjoy. Gewürztraminer is available at most bottle shops in the area with Happy Harry’s having the widest selection.
On a final note, I like Gewürz and I really do not like sweet wines. I have nothing personal against sweet wines; it is just that I don’t care for them. However, the bouquet and spicy characteristics somehow make me really enjoy this complex white. So if you normally steer clear of sweet white wines, this may be the one exception to try.