WINE has always been an integral part of man’s reprieve from labour, and rightly so.
It is a versatile nectar; an enjoyment that can be convivial with each glass poured with friends, or each sip can be swirled and savoured as it inspires thought and reflection in solitude.
Whatever the party size, having a good wine around only makes the party better.
But which plonk to plonk down the coin for?
The Franz Haas Gewurztraminer 2016 from Alto Adige in Northern Italy, to me, is an example of a great wine worthy of serious contemplation.
On the first sip and swirl, with your eyes closed, images of white flowers, a whole field of them, filled my mind’s eye. That is what you would feel each time a new bottle is opened for enjoyment.
All Natural Flavours
This wine has both floral and fruity notes. Lychee specifically stands out when you take a whiff of it. Yet, on the tongue, it is not sweet like lychee. The wine has a naturally sweet smell but interestingly enough, does not have a sugary taste to it. Rather, the sweetness was all-natural and completely unassuming.
This Gewurztraminer is more rounded than a sauvignon blanc but lighter than a full-bodied chardonnay or a white Chateauneuf de Pape. It finishes warm on the throat and is a truly refreshing take on white wines.
We enjoyed this Gewurztraminer with sashimi, grilled squid and Japanese stewed pork. While it was a great complement to the seafood, it did extremely well with the pork. The flavours, depth and complexity of the wine burst forth with the sweetness of the pork belly that has been slow stewed over 24 hours.
Interestingly, Gewurztraminer wines are more commonly found in Germany and Eastern France. The grape varietal itself originates from Germany.
This bottle however, comes from Trentino-Alto Adige, a region in northern Italy which borders Switzerland and Austria. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the wine and you can bet that it will not be long before we find ourselves indulging in another bottle. Looks like the hills are definitely alive with more than just the sound of music!
Available at Angra Wine & Spirit www.angra.com.sg at $56 a bottle.
