Anyone enjoy Gewürztraminer?

My wife and I love the stuff! It's perfect with all types of Asian and other spicy food, which we either cook or buy quite often. In fact, I have a bottle in the fridge right now, waiting to accompany a vegetarian dinner of Spiced Black-Eyed Peas with Yogurt and Ginger from the Williams-Sonoma Beans & Rice Cookbook (don't scoff -- it's really good!).

I buy Gewürztraminer by the case from Navarro. All of Navarro's wines are very good to excellent, with high QPRs, and their Gewürztraminers are consistently among the best domestic bottlings avaiable.

Navarro makes two versions of Gewürztraminer, an Estate ($19) and what they call a Cuvee Traditional ($14). Very reasonably priced, especially if you're a member of their Pre-Release Club (about $2 off per bottle) and buy in quantity (an additional 10% off per case, 15% off three or more). And they recently offered $0.01 shipping.

They also make two superb dessert wines from the grape, a Late Harvest with 11% residual sugar and a Cluster Select Late Harvest at 21% residual sugar, and this year they made a sparkling Gewurtz, which I haven't yet tried.

I do! I try to buy every vintage I can get my hands on of Albert Mann Gewurtztraminer Furstentum.

I do as well.

I always think Alsace when I think Gewurz, but must admit Kris Curran is making one heck of a Gewurz in my opinion.

Good examples i've had were:
Gewürtztraminer Turckheim, from Zind-Humbrecht
Gewürtztraminer Zinnkoepfle Grand Cru, Vendanges Tardives, from Léon Boesch.

I opened a Thomas Fogarty Monterey County Gewürztraminer the other day; nice stuff and good QPR too.

I like it when done right. Even when not, I usually like the nose quite a bit. Domestically, I like Fogerty, Swean and Navarro.

From Alsace, Zind Humbrecht. From Alto Adige, Laimburg.

In Oregon Sineann makes a decent one, but they really hit it right in 07 IMO.

From the US, easy to find and inexpensive... I think Washington Hills Gewurtztraminer is a nice dry, spicy expression that seems to bring good balance and complexity for the price.

quote:

Originally posted by The Economist:
Hello All -

I'm just wondering if anyone else out there likes Gewürztraminer (in dry and sweet guise)? I really love the rose, grapefruit, spicy elements of this varietal and find that it's a great wine if you're just sitting around reading or watching a movie. Really nice with spicy dishes - back at school, I used to have it with spicy instant noodle (still do today, I confess...) Good QPR suggestions are very welcome...

Best wishes in the new year,

The Economist.

My favorite QPR Gewurztraminer is the Cesconi Traminer from Alto Adige, Italy -- About $18, 91+ wine.

I really like the typical character of Gewürztraminer. Until a few years ago the basic rule for me was Gewürztraminer=Alsace.

But now my favourite area is Alto Aldige. For example the ones from St. Michael Eppan (both the regular and the St. Valentin) and Cantine Terlano (also makes one of the worlds best Sauvignon Blanc IMO).

I find the Gewürztraminer one of the few wines that pair well with Chinese (in particular Cantonese) dishes.

quote:

Originally posted by Jochems:


But now my favourite area is Alto Aldige.

Jochems, I also enjoy Alto Aldige a great deal. I do not feel their wines can stand up to the single vineyard selections of Alsace, but they also do not cost $80+ either.

For me, the best of the best is still Alsace without question, but Alto Aldige are must buy.

Pairs nicely with Indian food as well.

Another vote for the Alto Aldige versions. Alois Lageder and Elena Walch make good ones.

I used to really like Zind Humbrecht, but I find the non-Vendange Tardive bottlings have gotten too over the top (unbalanced) in the past few vintages.

Gewurz and Thai food is a classic match imho.

W+A I agree with you on the high-end side. And I must admit that my change in preference has a lot to do with the price levels. Its quite easy to find some great Gewürztraminer in the range of €10 - €20. Including some that I rate 90+.

yes - I was surprised by a Hook & Ladder Gewuerz that someone brought to my house the other day. Not a classic wine by a long shot, but miles better than my expectations (which might have been too low). Little on the sweet side, but in no ways sticky. Worked very well with spicy asian food!

G

There's lots of drinkable Gewurtz being made in different regions, but the best are always from Alsace. Z-H, Weinbach, Mann, Boxler, Trimbach, Deiss, Ostertag, and others produce some great ones. Price has slowly been creeping up for the best, though; while still great wines, they are no longer the bargains they once were. (I guess we can say that about a lot of wines.)

Z-H is king, hands down. followed closely by Weinbach and then Mann IMO.
I was also pleasantly surprised by a gewurz from Pfeffingen (Germany).

Alsacian Guewurz is the just about the only French wine I buy, although I purchase more from it's original home in Alto Adige. The Kofererhof is good but the J. Hofstatter Kolbenhof can give ZH a run for their money.

I love Gewurztraminer from Trimbach.

quote:

Originally posted by VT2IT:
Alsacian Guewurz is the just about the only French wine I buy, although I purchase more from it's original home in Alto Adige. The Kofererhof is good but the J. Hofstatter Kolbenhof can give ZH a run for their money.

I did not know that Gewurz originated in the Alto Adige region of Italy. Thanks for teaching me something VT2IT. I'll also have to try the two you mention, although neither are showing any products in the inventory of our monopoly right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Seaquam:
There's lots of drinkable Gewurtz being made in different regions, but the best are always from Alsace. Z-H, Weinbach, Mann, Boxler, Trimbach, Deiss, Ostertag, and others produce some great ones. Price has slowly been creeping up for the best, though; while still great wines, they are no longer the bargains they once were. (I guess we can say that about a lot of wines.)

I normally go for The Alsacian or german. However the price is getting up there. One US producer [Hermann Wiemer] makes a good one for about $ 18.00

2000 Trimbach Ribeaupierre Gewurztraminer at about 50 degrees F. is one of the most intensely aromatic and deliciously dry wines I have ever had the pleasure of coming in contact with. Pacific Rim's Gewurz is outstanding at about $12 and try one from California called Firehose that goes for less than $10.

Speaking of Firehose, could you turn down your signature?

It's a wine that I think shows better when vinified with some sweetness. I love Albert Mann's Grand Cru Furstentum.

I buy several bottles each year, especially Trimbach, Mann, and even Martinelli! I also prefer a touch of sweetness, rather than the dry Gewurztraminer!

latour67,
I recently got ahold of an '06 Leon Boesch Gewurtztraminer Alsace that was pretty darn tasty with the flavor profile you mentioned.

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:
latour67,
I recently got a hold of an '06 Leon Boesch Gewurtztraminer Alsace that was pretty darn tasty with the flavor profile you mentioned.

If that is the one offered by Garagiste at $13.99, I've been looking for an occasion to pop one. Now I'm even more curious.

Someone should mention that they do a good job in Oregon with a riper,richer style of Gewurtz.
Recent ones I've tried are Belle Pente and Sineann. Andrew Rich, I think, is even better.

The big volume producers in Washington put out creditable Gewürztraminer at bargain prices. That includes Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia, Covey Run, and Hogue, which are all widely distributed and commonly discounted.

If you can find it try the Lawson's Dry Hills Gewurztraminer from Marlbourough, New Zealand. Under $20, spot on varietal character, fresh and perfectly balanced.

Zind Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:
latour67,
I recently got ahold of an '06 Leon Boesch Gewurtztraminer Alsace that was pretty darn tasty with the flavor profile you mentioned.

mneeley490----Thanks, I'll check it out!

quote:

Originally posted by pape du neuf:

quote:

Originally posted by mneeley490:
latour67,
I recently got a hold of an '06 Leon Boesch Gewurtztraminer Alsace that was pretty darn tasty with the flavor profile you mentioned.

If that is the one offered by Garagiste at $13.99, I've been looking for an occasion to pop one. Now I'm even more curious.

Yes, pape du neuf, it is. I have a friend whose wife only drinks dry or slightly off dry whites, so I popped it mainly for her. She kept asking if I had any more. Unfortunately, I only bought 2 bottles and can't get any more.

You guys should check out NZ Gewurztraminer.

Considering NZ Gewurztraminer has taken out more international awards than any other region for the varietal it may be worth checking out. Even the most expensive NZ Gewurztraminer is cheaper than the top Alsace houses.

I am not sure what is available your side of the Pacific so will suggest as many as possible.

My picks
Stonecroft Old Vine (% star wine)
Vinoptima (also does a late harvest which is amazing- 5 star wine)
Dry River (5 star wine)
St Clair Godfrey's Vineyard (4 star wine)
Torlesse (for a cheaper wine- 4 star wine)
Omihi Rd ( 4 star wine)
Revington (4 star wine)
Johanneshoff (5 star wine)
Nobilo Icon (4 star wine)
Villa Maria Ihumtao Single Vineyard Reserve (5 star wine)

Because youa ll do a 100 point system below is the approx values
4 star = 88+
5 star = 94+

The star ratings are an average of Winestate , NZ Cuisine Magasine and Decanter ratings (whom use a twenty point system where only a 19 or 20 qualify for 5 stars)