A Tour of Wine Grapes: Gewurztraminer

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer (guh-VURZT-tra-mee-ner) has been around for centuries in Europe and prized for its wines with intense floral aromas.

Its name is derived from the German word "Gewürz," meaning "spice" or "perfumed," reflecting its bold fragrance. And, the grape is a mutation of the ancient Traminer (Savagnin Blanc) variety.

Today, Gewürztraminer is grown throughout the world with Argentina and Moldova being the largest producers followed by Italy, U.S., Ukraine and Australia.

While Gewürztraminer grapes produce white wine, the grapes have distinctive pink to reddish skins. This often gives the wine a golden-copper color compared to other whites.

Gewürztraminer wines tend to be medium to low in body, low in acidity, but have a higher level of perceived sweetness even when all the sugar has been converted to alcohol through fermentation.

Aromas sometimes attributed to Gewürztraminer include soap, potpourri, or cheap perfume because of its bold floral aromas. But, most agree the aromas are most like lychee and rose petals.

Gewürztraminer is associated with flavors of grapefruit, apricot and tangerine and often has a oily or viscous mouthfeel.

Because of Gewürztraminer’s low acidity, it should be consumed young and typically only keeps for 2-5 years.

Serve Gewürztraminer ice cold (38-45 F) in a white wine glass. No decanting required.

Behind the Cork™ - Paso D'Oro Cabernet Sauvignon

Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon ($22)

Paso D'Oro is a winery venture by the Terlato Wine Group that focuses on producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the Paso Robles region in California. The name translates to "Way of Gold," paying tribute to the golden California sunshine and the "golden path" taken by the winemaker's family.

The wines are crafted by Laura Orozco, who was appointed as the winemaker for this venture in 2022 after her successful tenure at Napa's Chimney Rock.

The grapes for this wine are from four different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Paso Robles including the Estrella District, San Juan Creek District, Geneseo District and the Highlands District. Each block has a different elevation, soil type, row direction, clone and rootstock.

Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Alicante Bouschet. Each individual vineyard block was fermented individually using several different yeast strains. It was aged 8 months in 25% new barrels.

This wine is deep ruby in color with wonderful aromas of black fruit. On the palate, this Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon has rich dark fruit flavors as well as vanilla and caramel from the oak aging. The tannins are medium-high (decant for 30-60 minutes) and the acidity is medium. It finishes with rich dark-fruit flavors.

Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific wine that’s attainable at a really great price. That makes it a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

A Tour of Wine Grapes: Gamay

Gamay 🍷

Gamay (gam-may), commonly referred to as Gamay Beaujolais, is almost entirely grown in France and Beaujolais (in the Loire Valley) is its home.

Gamay is a natural cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc (a very obscure grape). But, a direct relationship with Pinot Noir!

Gamay has a unique past. In 1395, Duke Philippe the Bold of Burgundy actually banished the grape, calling it "vile and disloyal". He preferred the more "elegant" Pinot Noir and feared Gamay’s high productivity would dilute the region's reputation. This ban forced the grape from Burgundy to move south to Beaujolais, where it has flourished.

Gamay wines are light in body and low in tannin, alcohol and sweetness. They’re medium in acidity.

Aromas associated with Gamay include strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with floral notes.

Wines made from the Gamay grape are made using Carbonic Maceration which is a process where the grapes are fermented as whole grapes in a carbon dioxide filled tank that can result in distinct aromas and flavors of banana, bubblegum and even cotton candy!

Nouveau Beaujolais is its own unique story that is made from Gamay grapes that are harvested, fermented and bottled for immediate consumption.

Other than Nouveau Beaujolais, Gamay wines may be cellared briefly (1-5 years).

Gamay is one of the few red wines that is best served with a slight chill (around 54–55°F) to highlight its fresh fruit characters. Serve in an bowl-shaped red wine glass to capture aromas. No decanting required.

Behind the Cork™ - Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.99)

Barkan Vineyards is located a half-hour driving distance from both Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. And, yes, it’s a Kosher wine. But not just a Kosher wine, a really good Kosher wine!

Barkan Platinum is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are grown in the Upper Galilee. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is aged for 18 months in “phenomenal” French oak barrels that provided unique characteristics to the wine.

Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in color with a nice aroma of dark fruit and spices. On the palate, this wine is rich in dark fruit flavors. The oak and bottle aging has smoothed out the tannin for a soft mouthfeel. It finishes rich and soft.

If you’re looking for a really good Cab, that just happens to be Kosher, look no further. Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine at a tremendous prices. That’s a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Tour of Wine Grapes: Dolcetto

Dolcetto 🍷

Dolcetto (dol-chet-to) is a black wine grape variety almost exclusively grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. While its name translates to "little sweet one" the wines produced from this grape are anything but sweet and actually can have some tartness.

Historically, winemakers called Dolcetto their "cash flow" grape. Because it ripens so early and is meant to be drunk young, farmers could sell it to pay their bills while their Nebbiolo and Barbera wines were still aging in the cellar for years.

Surprisingly, the oldest surviving Dolcetto vines in the world aren't in Italy—they are in Australia, with some plantations dating back to the 1860s.

Dolcetto wines are usually medium to medium-full bodied, with low acidity and higher in tannin.

Aromas include red and black fruits such as black cheery, plum and blackberry. Floral notes include violets and lavender.

Flavors include black cherry, blackberry, plum and licorice.

Because Dolcetto is low in acidity, it doesn’t age well and should be consumed young (2-3 years).

Dolcetto should be served in a red wine glass at 60-68 °F after decanting for 30 minutes.