Lost in Gewürz-translation: if Scarlett Johannson were a grape...

Have you ever lost yourself in the heady aromas of an Asian food market? In one corner, it’s about cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. In another, it’s fresh lychee, peaches and candied orange peel.  You’re in a world ofexotic, rose-scented intrigue! Enter Scarlett Johansson stage right to complete the picture with her distinctive, voluptuous and sensual style. Dressed in a pink-peach dress, she walks around, taking everything in. It could have been an deleted scene from Lost in Translation!

Welcome to Gewürztraminer; aka Gewürz or Traminer. You can always tell this exotic, perfumed grape variety a mile off, no matter where it’s grown! Lychee, rose, ginger and orange peel best describe its distinctive aroma. The ripe, well-rounded body with its sumptuous, oily weight and low acidity, make it feel like a soft, peachy skinned beauty.

Gewürztraminer (Guh-verts-tra-mee-na) is the grape that sounds well ‘ard, but it’s not at all. It’s just hard to say, which is probably why it’s not nearly as popular as it should be, so give it a try!

Tasting Tour:

* Start with Alsace for classic, dry and powerful Gewürz.

* Taste these against wines from Gisbourne, New Zealand for similarly powerful styles, including some ‘off dry’ versions.

* Head to North East Italy or Central Europe for more subtle, delicate versions.

* Harder to find, but if you can, try some from Oregon too.

* Gewürztraminer can be off dry, but if it’s real sweetness you want, go for a late-harvest style!  Make sure you check the label to know which one you’re getting.

Food Match:

Strong cheese is a goer, as are rich dishes like duck, goose & fois gras. Grilled and smoked food works well as do dishes with warm spices (as in aromatic spicis, not chilli!)

Dab some behind your ears and you’re set for the night!

Enjoy,

WB

Zinfandel: The Godfather of Grapes

You know those duvet days where you want to curl up by the fire watching a Californian Blockbuster? Well, who would be your leading man?

Someone bold, brooding & beefy perhaps? Someone smouldering who simply commands attention? Someone with a penchant for alcohol and a tendency to put on weight maybe? Someone with an intriguing European heritage who has since become a Californian icon? If the answer is yes to all of the above, it has got to be Marlon Brando. If you want a wine to match, it has got to be Zinfandel: the Godfather of grapes.

Just like Marlon Brando, the Zinfandel grape variety is full-on and full-bodied. Frequently high in alcohol and with lots of tannin, Zin will often be packed full of smoky damson and brambly fruit aromas, spicy fig notes and yummy, pepper and black cherry jam flavours. It's not exactly a subtle grape variety but quite frankly, don't we all secretly like to be slapped around occasionally - just a little bit? And Marlon is the man for the job!

I digress. Ahem...

Food matches: Zin is always going to be a big, juicy boy, but some are a touch softer and lighter than others. Try these lighter styles with charcuterie, burgers and sausages. The bombastic, classic powerhouse styles of Zinfandel can handle food with strong flavours, however. Try these with hearty stews, casseroles, sticky ribs and game!

Tip: look for 'Old Vines' on the label. Old vines produce less grapes and therefore produce a more concentrated, figgy, rustic wine. Just delicious!

Tasting Tour:

Head straight to California and compare the regional styles: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma for the oldest vines and dark, peppery styles; Napa Valley for the juicy, exuberant, bright-berry styles; Sierra Foothills for inky-black, aniseed & mineral styles and Lodi or Pasa Robles for a more herbal, ripe cherry style.

The Zinfandel grape variety has its roots in Croatia and is genetically very similar to Southern Italy's Primitivo grape variety, so try Primitivo for a slightly more restrained version of Zinfandel.

Other than this, you won't really find it many other places yet, although South Africa and Western Australia have recently had a small amount of success with it if you can find them.

I need warming up. Pass me the Godfather trilogy!

WB