Wine In The Glass

🍇 GRAPE TALK: EPISODE 44: Gewürztraminer. A grape you’ll never forget once you’ve tried it. Let’s get to know this bold, historic variety. ⬇️

☝️Save this post for your wine studies and the next time you spot Gewürztraminer on a shelf or wine list!

1️⃣ Gewürztraminer is an aromatic white grape with pink skins, which is why the wine often has a deeper golden colour. The name comes from “Gewürz” meaning spice, and “Traminer”, linked to the Alpine town of Tramin in Alto Adige.

2️⃣ It comes from the ancient Traminer grape family and is believed to be a mutation of Savagnin. Grapes connected to this family have been grown in Europe for centuries, giving Gewürztraminer a long and fascinating history.

3️⃣ This grape loves cooler climates, but it can be tricky to grow. It ripens early and gains sugar fast, so harvest timing matters a lot. Pick too early and it can feel simple. Pick too late and it may lose freshness.

4️⃣ Its most famous home today is Alsace, where it became one of the region’s signature grapes. Here you can find everything from dry styles to rich late-harvest sweet wines.

5️⃣ You’ll also see great examples from Alto Adige, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, the USA and Eastern Europe. Cooler vineyards and higher altitudes usually help the grape keep its balance and freshness.

👉 Pro tip: Gewürztraminer is one of the easiest grapes to recognise in a blind tasting because it has such a strong personality!

What’s your experience with Gewürztraminer — fan favourite or not your style? 🍷

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Yesterday afternoon, Vashti and I had the privilege of joining winemaker Mark Lyon and sommelier Chris Sawyer for an intimate seated tasting hosted by David Ramey, owner and winemaker of Ramey Wine Cellars. To witness the exchange between these accomplished figures, particularly given the shared history of Mr. Ramey and Mr. Lyon dating back to their time studying viticulture and enology at UC Davis, was truly special. Their stories, especially Mr. Ramey’s formative years in France refining his craft and philosophy, added a rich layer of context to an already extraordinary afternoon.

The wines themselves were nothing short of exceptional, showcasing precision, terroir expression, and age-worthy structure. Below are more detailed tasting impressions:

2023 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay – Highly aromatic and finely detailed, opening with white peach, poached apple, Meyer lemon oil, and acacia, underscored by flint and wet stone minerality. Subtle, well-integrated oak lends hints of hazelnut and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is taut yet layered, driven by vibrant acidity that carries flavors of orchard fruit, citrus curd, and crushed limestone through a long, saline-tinged finish. A wine of clarity, tension, and impressive site expression.

2023 Woolsey Road Vineyard Chardonnay – More overtly savory in profile, with a distinctive saline and iodine note interwoven with baked apple, pear skin, and graham cracker nuances from élevage. The palate is texturally rich yet impeccably balanced, with a core of ripe orchard fruit, lemon zest, and chalky minerality. A touch of beeswax and cream adds depth, while the acidity maintains lift and precision. Complex and intellectually engaging.

2023 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay – Aromatically expressive, offering layers of white flowers, apricot, white peach, and citrus blossom, framed by marine-influenced minerality and a subtle briny edge. The palate is both expansive and focused, revealing stone fruit, lemon oil, flint, and wet river rock, with finely integrated oak contributing a creamy, polished texture. A beautifully composed Chardonnay with both power and finesse.

2022 Westside Farms Estate Pinot Noir – Elegant and aromatic, with lifted notes of cranberry, wild strawberry, and pomegranate, accented by rose petal, forest floor, and a hint of orange zest. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins, the palate is vibrant and precise, showcasing red berry fruit layered with subtle spice, graphite, and earthy undertones. Bright acidity provides energy and length, making for a poised and nuanced expression of Pinot Noir.

2013 Rodgers Creek Syrah – A compelling, Northern Rhône–inspired expression, with a bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, olive tapenade, cracked black pepper, smoked meat, and dried herbs. The palate is structured and full-bodied, with firm, resolved tannins supporting dense layers of dark fruit, plum, graphite, and savory elements of cured meat and spice. Secondary notes of leather and earth emerge with air, adding further complexity to an already profound wine.

2020 Template (Merlot Blend) – Deeply aromatic and polished, revealing violet, black cherry, plum, iron, dried sage, and rose petal, with nuances of black tea and sweet oak. The palate is full-bodied with supple, well-integrated tannins, offering a harmonious interplay of dark fruit, savory herbal tones, and mineral undertones. The structure is refined, with balanced acidity providing freshness and length. A sophisticated and age-worthy blend.

2018 Annum (Cabernet Sauvignon Blend) – Rich and layered, with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, molasses, and cocoa, complemented by to***co leaf, dried herbs, and well-judged oak. Full-bodied with a broad, structured palate, the wine delivers concentrated dark fruit framed by firm yet polished tannins. Notes of graphite, espresso, and vanilla carry through a long, persistent finish. A powerful yet composed Cabernet blend.

2014 Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – A benchmark expression, offering remarkable depth and complexity. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, and black cherry are interwoven with caramelized sugar, dried sage, graphite, and cedar. The palate is full-bodied and impeccably structured, with finely resolved tannins and a seamless integration of fruit, earth, and oak. Layers of dark fruit, to***co, iron, and mineral unfold with precision, leading to an exceptionally long, elegant finish. Still youthful, with significant aging potential remaining.

This tasting was a masterclass in both winemaking and terroir, an unforgettable experience defined not only by the caliber of the wines, but by the rare opportunity to share in the knowledge and stories of true pioneers in the industry.

Vashti Crawford Roebuck
Vashti Roebuck
Ramey Wine Cellars
David Ramey
Mark Lyon
Chris Sawyer