Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer

This is a Gewurztraminer from Massachusetts, a good choice if you want an aromatic white that doesn't taste like the usual Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Gewurztraminer is one of the most recognizable grapes to smell blind. Expect lychee, rose petal, and orange blossom on the nose, often with a note of ginger or baking spice. Wines of this style usually have a rounded, slightly oily texture and modest acidity. Because there are no tannins to speak of in a white like this, the weight comes from the fruit and the texture rather than from structure. Sweetness varies by producer, from bone dry to off-dry. Check the label or ask in store if the exact level matters to you, since it affects both pairing and serving. Cool-climate New England fruit tends to hold onto more freshness than the warmer regions where this grape can turn heavy, so a crisper, more focused version is a reasonable expectation. Oak is rarely used for Gewurztraminer, and a clean, aromatic finish that lingers on spice and stone fruit is typical of the grape. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Too cold and the perfume disappears, while too warm makes the wine feel flabby and exaggerates any sweetness. A few hours in the refrigerator, then ten minutes on the counter, gets you close. It doesn't need decanting. A standard white wine glass or a slightly tapered aromatic-white glass is ideal, because the narrower rim concentrates the floral aromatics. At the table, this grape is known for handling foods that overwhelm most wines. Thai green curry, Indian dishes with moderate heat, Moroccan tagines with apricot or preserved lemon, and Szechuan-style stir-fries all suit it well. The fruit and a touch of sweetness soften chili heat. It also works with washed-rind cheeses like Muenster or Alsatian-style Munster, with roast pork and apples, and with smoked trout or sausages. Salty, rich, or lightly sweet-and-savory dishes are where it does its best work. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Aromatic whites like this are at their best in the first few years after release, when the floral and fruit character is brightest. Once opened, it keeps for a few days in the refrigerator with the cork or stopper back in.