If you have never tried this wine, you will be surprised at the loud and bizarre scents and flavours found nowhere else in the world of wine. Its name can be traced to a German word "Gewurz" meaning "spiced". This grape variety traditionally was planted in the German region Alsace, that now is of course part of France. Gewurz grapes are neither green nor golden, they have a dusky pink exterior, foretelling its highly perfumed and flowery wine expression. This wine variety is never oaked although its colour may resemble a colour of oaked Chardonnay, but its colour is golden sometimes with a tint of pink due to the distinctive pigment of the grapes skin.

The region of Alsace produces the most impressive and most uninhibited aromatic splendor of this wine variety. With distinct wafts of rosewater, lychee, ginger, peach and Turkish Delight. Sometimes it may appear fat, full and rich at the same time refreshing and mineral. Other regions like Germany achieve good results however in comparison they are leaner or toned-down, some people may enjoy that better. Tyrol area of northern Italy makes less intoxicating, lighter wines. Good Gewurz is best from cooler areas to produce acidity level to match all that flavour. Try it also from Austria, or Hungary. Other regions are New Zealand, South Africa and Chile that are trying their best with good results.

When tasting, make sure the wine is chilled.

Some of the best producers from Alsace region are Hugel, Kuentz-Bas, Trimbach, Ostertag, Schlumberger, Zind-Humbrecht and Turckheim.

References: Susy Atkins. "Wine Wisdom: a complete wine-tasting course", Quadrille Publishing Limited, 2004.

Stuart Walton. "The World Encyclopedia of Wine", Lorenz Books, 1999.

TASTING NOTES
Ripe lychees, overripe peaches or nectarines, look also for ground ginger and cinnamon, occasionally scent of whole cloves and white pepper.
Flowers. Violets and rose petals, reminiscent of roses such as in Turkish Delights.