Not many people know a lot about Gewurztraminer. It’s one of those varietals that everyone knows of but has maybe written off as ‘too sweet’ or ‘too floral.’ Ha – bet you’ve said that before!
Chateau Ste. Michelle, aka Washington’s oldest winery, is located in Woodinville. The grapes for this 2011 Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer come from the Columbia Valley in Central WA. Side note – if you’re near Seattle and want to taste some wine, Woodinville is definitely worth a visit. It’s very small but I loved it, and I need to go back and hit up this winery because it’s pretty much the main draw of Woodinville.
Gewurz tends to be really aromatic regardless of its origins, which is good for wine novices who want to test out their scent skills. This wine has great floral aromas with pear and clove. The citrusy, spicy flavors, balanced minerality and crisp finish help offset some of that sweetness, making it a pretty refreshing wine.
I did the friend and boyfriend test on this wine and I can assure you, everyone liked it. So even if you’re not a fan of wines with a hint of sweetness, I’d recommend trying this wine with Thai food or something with an Asian flair… it’ll be a great match. Chok dee! (That means “Cheers!” in Thai… yes, I looked that up).
**Wine Notes**
Producer: Cheateau Ste. Michelle
Region: Columbia Valley
Varietal: Gewurztraminer
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 11.5%
Price Point: $10-12
1 comment
yes please!