Gewurztraminer: Add Some Spice To Your Wine Drinking

Spicy. Unexpected. Great partner for an Asian meal.

Gewürztraminer is all that and more.

A classic German and Alsatian wine,  Gewürztraminer (pronounced ga-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner) is a full bodied wine that can be polarizing. There are those who are unfamiliar with it or prefer a more docile style of white wine. Others prefer its racy characteristics and great ability to pair with food. The wine is also produced in Washington, California and New York. It tends to do better in cool weather growing areas that allow the flavors to concentrate.

My white wine journey took an atypical path – starting with German Riesling and not Chardonnay. As a result I experimented with German wines and regularly enjoyed Gewürztraminer before acquiring the taste for Chardonnay.  If you are looking for a new white to expand your wine horizons, go with Gewurz!

Gewurz means “spicy” in German and that is the main characteristic of this wine. Traminer identifies the wine as "coming from Tramin", a small city in south Austria where the grape originated. Gewurztraminer is the name of a grape but also the name of the wine made from the grape. In the Alsace region of France, the limestone and clay soil contribute to a full bodied and aromatic Gewürztraminer. About 29 million bottles are produced annually. Trimbach is a very good Alsatian wine.

The wine is delicious, fruity and with strong aromas, a very perfumed and flowery bouquet. Gerwurz can be sweet or dry, so you should be careful to check the label to properly match your palate. Alsatian Gewurztraminer is sweet and their Riesling is dry.

In general, Gerwurztraminer should be drunk young, although finer examples can age up to 10 years. The wine is thick and rich. It pairs exceptionally well with Munster cheese, curry seasoned dishes, Chinese and Mexican cooking and other spiced dishes. Give it a try with barbeque or chicken wings. Sweet  Gewurztraminer can even be served as a dessert wine. It should be served chilled to about 50 degrees. 

This is a wine that delights the nose. It has floral aromas (including rose) and that of grapefruit, apricot, mineral and pear.

Gewurztraminer will never be recognized as a subtle wine, which is one reason that it pairs especially well with spicy foods that overwhelm more restrained offerings. It pairs well with rich, fatty dishes like pork and goose, as well as with ripe cherries. It also works well with otherwise hard-to-pair spicy cuisines like Indian and Chinese food, thanks to its strongly aromatic flavor.

During a recent tasting at Corks, fellow tasters were purchasing a bottle of 2001 Hugel late harvest Gerwurztraminer. We hope to get a report, since this was a prize bottle. The late harvest bottlings offer great balance between sweetness and acidity.

A nice starting point is a Gerwurz from Chateau Ste. Michelle or Columbia Crest in Washington. In the Finger Lakes, Prejean makes a great Gerwurz. The previously mentioned Trimbach is also a can't miss bottle.

Photo by Adam Baker

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Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Elton Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2008 Pinot Gris

An arctic blast had stranded me in Austin, Texas, for an extra night. It was cold in Texas and even colder when I arrived back in Ohio. Returning to the office, I was swamped by a backload of work. But there was light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a special tasting of wines from Willamette Valley Vineyards.

Willamette Valley Vineyards is known for producing classic, juicy Oregon Pinot Noir. They have been named “one of America’s great Pinot Noir producers” by Wine Enthusiast.

Their commitment to sustainability is also impressive. The winery recycles cork, has committed to be carbon neutral by 2010 and employees are also offered 50 gallons of biodiesel fuel free each month.

Our tasting line-up included: 1. Quarry Hill 2007 Vidal Blanc (Lake Erie), 2. Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Pinot Gris, 3. Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir, 4. Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard, and 5. Moon Mountain 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma). Joining me on the tasting team were Pat and Stephanie Wise, Spiderman and Green Dragon.

The Pinot Gris is a clear, light wheat color with light body. It is crisp on the tongue with a steely, mineral acidity. This is a refreshing Alsatian-style wine. I especially enjoyed the creaminess. The flavor notes are citrus and pear with a clean, long finish.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel with a small portion finished in French Oak barrels.
We enjoyed some light appetizers with the Pinot Gris, including some coconut shrimp and Gruyere cheese. Pat remarked that this would be a perfect addition to a light picnic lunch to take to an outdoor concert to enjoy with some fruit and cheese. The wine would be a nice pick for a mixed group of wine drinkers.

After our two whites, we were ready for the Pinot Noir for which WVV is so well known.
The 2007 Pinot Noir has a garnet color with a not so prominent nose. The tannins are not strong. Green Dragon found a nose of tart black cherries. This is a dry wine that is not extreme. It is an easy drinking wine that is a good red for those not comfortable with red wines.

Stephanie noted that it starts slowly, then a delicate cherry flavor comes forward and dissipates into a clean dry finish. Pat thought this would be a great match with one of his favorite dishes, whitefish with mushrooms and cherries. In fact it would probably go with any dish that has a cherry sauce or cherry component.

The tasting team had quite an interest in the Elton Vineyard Pinot Noir. Only 410 cases were bottled from the vineyard, which is considered one of Oregon’s top vineyards. We decanted it for an hour and a half to allow it to open up.

The Eton Vineyard has a contrasting style to the 2007 Pinot. It has an earthy quality that Spiderman felt appeals more to the connoisseur.

The wine has a plum color and a nice bouquet that had scents of wood smoke and black fruit. The wine is fermented in 50% new French Oak and this translates into a stronger backbone and greater complexity.
This is a smoky, elegant wine that is smooth across the palate with a soft velvety feeling. It has a clean but muted, lingering finish.

This is a fuller bodied wine with a woodsy nuance. The flavors match the earthy aromas. Green Dragon found a touch of licorice. Pat noted that this fuller bodied wine had a pleasant sheeting effect, providing a nice lingering mouthfeel.

This was a delightful trio of wines from Willamette Valley Vineyards. This is a winery worth seeking out for a taste of Willamette Valley’s best.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a free sample.

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Wine Flights, Bucket List Offered by Vino 100

Image via Wikipedia

Vino 100 Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee, (419) 866-8466, is adding new menu items and some tasty wine options.

The first of their new wine flights will be offered Thursday through Saturday and includes Darby and Joan Chardonnay, Masion Nicolas Pinot Noir, Monte Oton Grenache, and Errarzuriz Reserve Merlot for $15.  Vino 100 will also offer special "bucket list" wines. These are usually either very expensive or very rare wines tol taste by the glass.  The first of these special wines is Plumpjack Merlot for $17 per glass. This will be offered Thursday through Saturday (Jan. 14-16).

Perrysburg Historic Museum Wine Fundraiser Set Jan. 16

The Perrysburg Area Historic Museum will hold a wine and cheese party and silent auction at the Carranor Hunt and Polo club on Saturday, January 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Carranor Hunt and Polo club is located at 502 E. 2nd Street in Perrysburg.

Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at Stella's (104 Louisiana Ave.) or Biaggi's in Levis Commons. The event will raise funds for the renovation of the Spafford House on West River Road near Fort Meigs Road, which will be the site of the organization's long-sought history museum.

Former Perrysburg High School music teacher Pam Williams will play oldies while guests sip wine and peruse the silent auction items. Items include a one-year membership to the Perrysburg Tennis Center, a weekend night stay with breakfast for to at the Hilton Garden inn, and a pet care ;ackage at South Suburban Animal Hospital. Many other items have been donated by local businesses.

The event will also feature Michael Gregg, wine manager at Corks Wine and Liquor, discussing what makes a good wine as well as which ones to avoid.

Photo by Aaron Domini

Toledo Museum of Art Announces Wine By The Glass Pavilion Schedule

The Toledo Museum of Art has announced its schedule for the popular Wine by the Glass Pavilion series. The events are held Fridays from 7 to 9:30 in the Glass Pavilion. During these drop-in wine tastings you can enjoy four wines, light snacks, and a view of glassmakers working in the  Hot Shop. Prices are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Winemakers Series

• January 15: Bonny Doon, Central Coast California
• January 22: Montaribodi, Piedmont, Italy
• January 29: Domaine de Piaugier, Rhone
• February 5: Adelaida, Paso Robles, California
• February 12: Second Annual Bubbles Tasting
• February 19: Raptor Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon

The museum is located at 2445 Monroe St.

Photo by Ellen Meiselman. Artwork by Harvey Littleton displayed at TMOA.

Wine Tasting & Events: Week of Jan. 11, 2010

Wednesday, January 13
Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM, $15.

Thursday, January 14
The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting.  5-7 PM. Closeouts Galore: 1. The Originals- 2006 Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley; 2. 2005 Emilio Moro- Ribera del Deuro; 3.  2003 Martin and Weyrich- Etrusco, Super Tuscan-like blend; 4. 2006 Yangarra Park – Grenache. $5.50 per flight or pay by the sample.

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting, 6-8 PM. Nominal fee.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. California wines will be featured. 6-8 PM, $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Sacrebleau! Ahhh, vive la France! Drop in and find out why this is the greatest winemaking country in the world. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Vino 100 Shop and Wine Bar, Promenade West, 3355 Briarfield Blvd, Suite D, Maumee -- (419) 866-8466. -"Vino 100 Live" Calen Savidge 7:30-10:30 PM. Acoustic Guitar.

Friday, January 15
* Special Event * Wine by the Glass Winemakers Series, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, 2445 Monroe St., 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Bonny Doon, Central Coast California. Enjoy four wines, light snacks and a view of glassmakers working in the Hot Shop. Cost is $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Fireside Merlot. 1. Santa Ema, 2. Four sisters, 3. Rancho Sisquoc, 4. Markham. $10 tasting.


Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Sacrebleau! Ahhh, vive la France! Drop in and find out why this is the greatest winemaking country in the world. Cost $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, January 16
* Special Event * Vineyard Adventure: Polar Opposites, Toledo Zoo, 2700 Broadway, Arctic Encounters Pavilion, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live music and socializing. Cost $35 per person for members, $40 for non-members. Tickets are limited. Must be 21 or over. Reservations can be made by calling (419) 385-5721.

* Special Event * Wine and Cheese Party Benefit for Perrysburg Area Historic Museum, Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, 502 E. 2nd St., Perrysburg, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at Stella's (104 Louisiana Ave.) or Biaggi's in Levis Commons. Help fund renovation of the Spafford House, which will be site of the organization's museum. Michael Gregg, wine manager at Corks Wine and Liquor, will discuss what makes a good wine as well as which ones to avoid.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Fireside Merlot. 1. Santa Ema, 2. Four sisters, 3. Rancho Sisquoc, 4. Markham. $10 tasting.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Joseph Voillot 2002. Volnays and Pommards. Premium tasting. Will be a bit more expensive than normal. Pay by the flight or the sample.

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]

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