Covey Run Gewurztraminer 2007

• Area: Washington State, Columbia Valley
• Grape: Gewurztraminer
• Alcohol: 12%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 88

Description: Honeysuckle, lychee and citrus on the nose. Nice grapefruit attack that mellows into a white fruit center. Softer than the usual gwertz, it finishes with a good lift and notes of honey drizzled white fruit. At the very end, a gwertz spicyness takes a bow. We liked this one, especially with a hot Panang shrimp.

Price: $8 an excellent deal

Note: Good with hot dishes as it cuts right through a red pepper spice.

Covey Run on the web

Valckenberg Gewurztraminer

• Area: Germany, Pfalz
• Grape: Gewurztraminer
• Rating: Black 89 Dilettante 89 Nwjr 89

Description: This very drinkable wine is fruity-sweet on the attack with flavors of dried pineapple, apricot, peach, lichee, and spicy cloves. It finishes dry. Don't over chill.

Price: $10
Food Pairing: Good with Thai Coconut Curry and Chinese

Pierre Sparr 2005 Gewurztraminer

• Area: France, Alsace
• Grape: Gewurztraminer
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black; 90 Dilettante; 90

Description: Pierre has been making wine sine 1680 and it shows. This dryer than expected gewurtz has style. The nose has wonderful aromas of roses and lychee nuts with a hint of spice. It attacks with a hint of sweetness then finishes off dry with notes of grapefruit peel and pear. On the palate it's quite lively yet soft and silky. This wine has focus. We really liked it.
Food Pairing: turkey, Asian or as an aperitif