Back in my rebel rebel period my pal would come over for a couple of glasses of wine before we headed out to our hangout in Montreal “The Rainbow Bar and Grill” on Stanley Street where my friend used to drink Tequila Sunrises like they were water and pine over a beautiful waitress Liz who, despite enormous tips he left her, paid no attention to him. Back to the wine. He smuggled Gewurztraminer for our pre downtown Montreal visit which he pilfered from his father’s wine cellar. It was rebel rebel behavior because so few people our age consumed wine. And it was good Alsatian Gewurtz so I have a soft spot in my heart for Gewurtz. Problem these days is that so few dare to drink this strange sounding wine. Alsace makes great Gewurtz but Ontario can match Alsace e.g. Cave Spring or Colchester Ridge Estate Winery and British Columbia too e.g. Mayhem Wines and Meyer Family Vineyards. Gewurtz has a definite taste profile that doesn’t beat around the bush with notes of apricot, peach, rose petal Turkish Delight and mango and it flirts between dry and off dry. It suits Asian food well particularly curries.
Going back to my roots mon we try an old reliable Alsatian Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer. Aromas of freshly cut peach, apricot, mango, guava and Turkish delight. As far the palate this is a full-bodied white that hides its acidity so very well and it borders up to the off dry frontier. The finish is medium length which then takes a controlled skid into a bit of spicy brackishness. Lots of mango and pineapple swilling about. And yes curry is calling or Pad Thai with shrimp or tofu. An excellent sipping wine. If your mind is thinking barbeque halibut skewers marinated in a peanut sauce.
I don’t want to eat my shirt but if you don’t like this Gewurtz but I am tempted.
Fondest Gewurtz experience post rebel rebel was pre COVID on the patio of Cave Spring Vineyard in Niagara, Ontario having some cheese and superb herbed fries and Cave Spring Gewurtz on a patio on a glorious fall afternoon.
(Pierre Sparr Grand Réserve 2020 Gewurztraminer, AC Alsace, Pierre Sparr Bebleheim, France, $19.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 747600, 750 mL, 14%, RKS Wine Rating 92/100).
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