What's in My Wine Cellar

Updated 04/06/2007

"Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it."

    This is only a listing of Gewürztraminers; I have 80+ bottles of different wines, some dating back to 1972, others are 2004 vintage. My wine cellar is my basement barroom area. It is closed off from the rest of the basement, and an open-air stairway leads down to it. I regulate the heat to about 55 deg. Fahrenheit and maintain a 50+ % humidity level. The bottles are either lying in a custom-made metal wine rack holding approx. 60+ bottles, or within an antique Schlitz wooden beer case. Not a large collection of wines, but then most of them are meant to be drunk within the next year or so.

    I can't believe how many Gewürztraminers are sitting on liquor shelves of older vintages, that have either passed their maturity, or are down-right vinegary to the taste (TCA ?). Who the heck manages these store locations? Are the stores stocked with wines that have been sitting around for several years on purpose, just to get rid of old stock by distributors? Or are liquor stores that poorly managed by the owners? Maybe Wisconsin is a dumping ground for old wine? It's hard enough to find Gewürztraminers let alone find one that tastes good!

    When asked: What is the best wine? I usually answer: "Whatever it is I happen to be drinking at the moment that I enjoy"

    My palate isn't one of sophistication, I wouldn't know a lychee from a turnip, but I know what I like. I don't like all Gewürztraminers, whether it's because of style or age, just as I don't care for all Shiraz. When I find one, I'll let you know, meanwhile experiment, and find what you can, or order (and of course, afford). You'll be disappointed just as I have been, but it's part of the discovery, the hunt for the one that pleasures you the most. But remember, just because you found a certain producer/ vintage you utterly enjoy, doesn't mean you won't be disappointed with next year's vintage or the next. Whether it's because of the winemaker, the weather, distributor, or storage, wine can be fickle. Try to remain with winemakers with a proven track record, but don't forget to try other producers when found; you never know when a new love may arrive within your glass at any moment of your life.

    As I taste more and more Gewürztraminers, and compare them to the winemaker's or professional wine taster's notes, I feel that winemaker's ought to obtain tasting notes from individuals from different regions within this country and world, that is, if they intend to market their product outside of their own region, they need to know how people living there perceive the wine.. Why? Because people's palate or taste memories/recollections are attuned to the food obtained near their home. When you buy a California Gewürztraminer wine, it comes from a region of tropical-like fruit, oranges, grapefruit, lychees ( from southeast Asia to Hawaii to California - in the Midwest, Ha!). What do we have in Wisconsin - cranberries, cherries, cheese, beer, brandy and fish fries. Sure we have more available, but it's not standard food fare. Winemakers and tasters tell us what a wine is supposed to taste like, but it's based on their own food experiences, and many times it's where they live that determines this, or maybe they have a $500 aroma/taste kit they can reference. The Gewürztraminers of Alsace - how was the taste initially described as? Lychees, I don't think so. They mention spice, but what kind? I've heard that some exhibited a "peppery" taste. Aroma and taste has become that what are the popular/trendy ones (or regional). So leave your tasting expectations behind when tasting Gewürztraminers or any wines.

     Note: If you have any Gewürztraminer in your cellar, or stock that you believe is beyond its' prime, I would be happy to venture a taste try; just send it to the above address. Sorry, but I can't bear the burden of shipping costs.

    All of the wines below have been purchased in the last several months, Sept 2004. thru Jan 2005, from local supermarkets and liquor stores. I find it disturbing that stores will stock wines, especially Gewürztraminers, that are beyond their prime. Only one liquor store marked their price substantially down and offered no guarantee to the wine's acceptability (Noting I should use it for cooking if not acceptable for drinking; something I definitely don't agree with).

Alexander Valley Vineyards, New Gewurz 2003,$9.99 ($7.99) OTTOMF 111104. 

Alexander Valley Vineyards, New Gewurz 2000, GRABRO $7.99/$5.99 120704; Tasted 12/10/10, Manitowoc, Wis., After dinner with main entrée of tortilla-encrusted salmon at the Inn on Maritime Bay; off-dry, slightly aromatic, could have used more to enhance the feel, a medium body, that was tart and crisp with a very lingering mouthfeel, perhaps a little too much. MRR. Bottle #2, tasted 1/28/05 - light, crisp, citrusy with grapefruit. Beer Kaese cheese tamed the slight tartness of the wine. Wine still good enough to drink on its' own.

Anselmann Gewürztraminer Kabinett 2002, 11.5% alc., Germany; EWIPE $19.66 111704. Tasted 2/26/05 - Smelled fruity and the taste was a wonderful grapefruit flavor. Thoroughly enjoyed this off-dry to semi-sweet GW. 

Avery Lane 2003 Gewurztraminer, Washington, $7, 12.5% alc.  

Bargetto Gewürztraminer Monterey County 2004, $12; Winery Notes: The welcome return of the off-dry Gewurztraminer has been eagerly anticipated by many. This year we were able to secure several tons of grapes from the premium Monterey County grower, Schied Vineyards. The resulting wine is pure Gewurztraminer. It has a spicey nose with lemon, honeysuckle, and floral notes that are mirrored in the mouth. The 2004 vintage is slightly less sweet than previous vintages. Even so, it still has a healthy 1 gram per liter of residual sugar. MRR: Bargetto Winery sample bottle rec'd 2/4/05. MRR - Tasted 2/8/05: Aroma or nose was very peachy. Medium + body (lots of legs). Taste - initial on tongue tip reflected the nose - peachy. Nothing special with the aftertaste. I was hoping for more with the off-dry winning so many Gold medals, but these were all awarded locally, that is, in the vicinity of production. The experience was pleasant enough but there was nothing beyond the peach, that was disappointing. After sampling this wine alone, I tried it with my wife's chili; not much change in taste. Then for dessert, I had (4) pcs of Russell Stover assorted creams,  two dark chocolate and two milk chocolate - the wine didn't blend with the chocolate at all as my experience with the Robertson brand did.

Bargetto Santa Cruz Mountains Gewürztraminer Dry 2002, 13.1% alc., Bargetto Winery sample bottle rec'd 2/4/05. Tasted 2/7/05 - light in color with light to medium body. Banana on tip of tongue, finishes with slight Bing cherry taste. Little spice in flavor. Slightly tart, good finish. Waiting to see what the 2004 off-dry tastes like.

Beringer Gewürztraminer 2002, 12.5% alc. PS $4.99 111104. Tasted 2/24/05 - Little aroma, washed out flavor; very light but drinkable.

(2) Door County Peninsula Winery Gewürztraminer NV, $14.39, purchased winery Carlsville, Door County, Wisconsin 2/20/05. This is one of their newer Signature Series which I didn't see a year ago during a visit. The grape juice extract is purchased from a California vineyard and vintned by a Virginia winemaker. The gentleman in charge of the tasting room at the time, told me of a cooperative effort with the Univ. of Minn. in planting a number of hybrid varieties in the winery locale. Couldn't tell me if a GW hybrid was included in the testing program. Winery Notes: A sweet white varietal featuring a bold, forward, fruity taste with hints of guava, grapefruit, vanilla and honey. This wine has a floral nose and an earthly mineral core which gives it depth and delivers an incredibly versatile wine. More: "Door Peninsula Winery owns and operates a six-acre vineyard south of the winery along Hwy 42. The vineyard site is an attractive addition to the winery and to the town of Carlsville. Today, the main fruit crops grown in Door County are cherry and apple, but we have learned that grapes were widely planted at one time. The climate is cold, so we have planted hybrid grape vines that can tolerate winter freeze and withstand spring frosts. We planted our first set of vines during the spring of 2000, and have expanded every year. We have approximately 5500 total vines in production, most are French-American hybrid vines that are capable of producing flavorful and quality table wines. Those who are familiar with East Coast wines know some of the grapes we have planted; Fosh, St. Croix, Vignole to name a few."

Duck Pond 2001 Gewurztraminer, Duck Pond Cellars, Columbia Valley, Washington, Desert Wind Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, 16.4% alc., BREMIL $9.99 111804; Tasted 1/27/05; Pink grapefruit and pear are supposed to be the lively aromas - Cork smelled bad, my wife said moldy. Little aroma, the taste biting. Wife said sour, wouldn't buy it again. Smoked cheddar tamed the taste somewhat; a pepper jack produced a flamethrower effect with a later sip. I was disappointed thoroughly, thought this wine would stand up to the late tasting; would like to taste a younger version.

Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks Gewurztraminer 2003, Echo Ridge, California, 12% alc., PS $6.99, 110104. 

Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Gewurztraminer 2003, VRIBLU $9.99 111904 13.5% alc.

Galena Cellars Late Harvest American Gewurztraminer, no vintage, 10% alc., produced and bottles by The Lawlor Family Winery, Galena, Il., 375 ml., cobalt blue bottle, $12.95, GALTR 110604, Tasted 111304 - Found delightful to drink, sweetness as expected, but lacked the typical Gewurztraminer favors and aroma I've experienced. Disappointing for what was to be my first Late Harvest Gewurz. MRR

    On 12/04/04 I received the following from Galena Cellars: "Michael, We are not able to grow any Gewurtz. in the Midwest.  We purchase 100% of our Late Harvest Gewurtz. from Washington State.  Because of a bitter complexity connected with Gewurtz. we use winemaking techniques to downplay the characteristic of true Gewurtz.  Because of stabilization problems connected with this variety require an excess amount of Bentonite is needed to clarify this wine.  Stripping bitterness....  This wine is extremely popular in our winery and continues to win medals in local and international competitions.... especially at the price we sell it for.  Obviously you are a die hard Gewurtz lover as am I and am sorry to disappoint you. Thank you for your comments, Chris Lawlor, Winemaker"

Galena Cellars Oktoberfest Wine NV - a blend of California Johannisberg Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer. Tasted very bitter as if beer hops had been added to an extreme.

Geyser Peak Gewurztraminer California 2001, 13.5% alc., ERIMAU $6.99 120404. Tasted 1/30/05 - Very little aroma, tasted bland and watery, yet there was a bite; flavor was enhanced with a little salty taste from low fat Pringles chips..

Gustave Lorentz Gewurztraminer Réserve 2001, Bergheim, GHaut-Rhin, France, imported by NWS Inc., Chicago, IL. 60632, purchased abt March 22, 2005, Winestein, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin;  tasted April 3, 2005, little spice, but a mild drinkable wine. 12.5 % alc.

Hogue Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer Washington 2002, TLLMAN $8.79 121104, 12% alc. Tasted 2/23/05 - Winery notes on bottle back label say "Bright pear and spice flavors are tempered by a fruit toward sweetness". Spice, No. Pear? After reading the description, I did notice a slight resemblance. Very light with a after taste that disappears too quickly to remember, though there is a slight vinegar hint present. The synthetic cork had an unusual odor to it - turpentine?

Hogue Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer Washington 2003, JOS124 $9.99 111904 

Huia Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2003, New Zealand, 13.5% alc. $25.95.VRIBLU $15.99 111904

Kenwood Sonoma County Gewürztraminer 2001, 13% alc., ERIMAU $9.99 120404. Tasted 1/30/05 - smells of vinegar, tastes of vinegar; down the drain it went.

Meßmer Selection Gewürztraminer Spätlese  Pfalz 2001, 10.5% alc., Qualitätswein mit Prädikat, Weingut Herbert Meßmer,  a Terry Theise Estate Bottled Selection, Germany; imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, New York, VRIBLU $27.99 111904. Tasted 1/25/05, faint aroma of spice, a little fruit, full-bodied, and much too sweet for my palate. Lighter and crisper would have been fine.

Meridian Vineyards Gewürztraminer Santa Barbara County 2000, 13.1% alc; $7.99 DISWAU 020905; after my experience with the 1999 from PS, I told this store's manager I was wary of trying this vintage, but he said the store would happily refund/satisfy the customer if the wine was bad. $7.49 DISWAU 020905. Tasted 2/10/05 - Meridian has absolved itself of its' 1999 vintage below; though I can't agree with the producer's bottle tasting notes, "wine reveals hints of orange, lychee, and grapefruit. flavors that are followed by a spicy citrus aroma." I  (and my wife) found an unidentifiable aroma, pleasant, very little but what? Of course it's semi-sweet, with hints of what I recall of amaretto and bing cherry, with a mild slightly tart citrus finish. Kris mentioned a little berry-like finish. I liked the taste and was appreciative that it wasn't tainted or beyond its' time as the 1999 from PS. It wasn't totally what I was looking for in this wine but tasty.

Meridian Vineyards Gewürztraminer Santa Barbara County 1999, PS $7.98, 012405, tasted 1/25/05 - Well beyond its' maturity, nothing but vinegar in aroma and taste, even as it warmed, unlike the Columbia-Crest Gewürztraminer 1997. I'll be talking to the Pick 'n Save store manager about this one; plenty of newly arrived (?) bottles on the shelf. Next day: Supermarket liquor store manager explained that the store's policy was not (usually) to refund a customer's money for a defective wine, rather the customer had to contact the winery. I explained I merely wanted the wine removed from their shelves to prevent other customers from experiencing what I had. He offered me a refund (Which I used on a Penfold's Shiraz Cabernet) and took the empty bottle (I had poured out after a couple of sips) and said he would talk to the store's liquor distributor. I'll probably check back in about a week to see if the remaining bottles have been pulled.

Mill Creek Dry Creek Valley Gewürztraminer 2002, Estate Bottled, 13.5% alc., VRIBLU $10.99 111904

Marom Hungarian Nagyrede Gewurztraminer 2001, 11% alc., EWIPE $21.44 111704. Tasted 2/6/05 - This wine is probably the darkest gold I've seen without it being oxidized or vinegary. The aroma of light citrus (maybe grapefruit), with a semi-sweet taste on the tongue with a hint of what I might describe as banana. It was medium to heavily bodied, but not oily. It left the palate with a pleasant enough after-taste, not very tart at all. The last sip was a surprise - my first encounter with tartrate precipitates/crystals, which I immediately spat back into the glass. Disturbing but none the less harmless; they just caught me unaware. Pleasant enough to drink but not overly satisfying.

(2) Navarro Gewurztraminer 2002, arrived from winery 121504

Navarro Gewürztraminer Late Harvest, arrived from winery 121504

Rosemount Estate Traminer/Riesling 2003, Australia, 63% Traminer & 37% Riesling, 11% alc., PS $6.49 012405

(2) Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery American Gewurztraminer NV, $14, purchased winery Carlsville, Door County, Wisconsin 2/20/05.  The gentleman running the tasting bar was retired Coast Guard serving much of his time on the Great Lakes. The winery is growing Traminer and Gewurztraminer on their property but it may be 3-4 yrs before their endeavors may be tasted. Winery Notes: A very pleasant sweet wine produced in the image of the finest German wines. Often recommended as a dessert wine the versatile Simon Creek Gewurztraminer can be served before, during or after dinner. The wine features a pleasant balance of spice (gewurz in German) and a pleasing sweet taste. The wine leaves a velvet tang on the palate and feature a pleasant flowery bouquet. Was a Silver medal winner from American Wine Society & Tasters Guild, with a Bronze medal from the Florida International Wine Competition.

Soljans Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2004 , New Zealand, 12.5% alc, BREMIL $11.99 0111905

(1) Soljans Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2002 13.5% alc.  $18.  ---BRENGW $9.99 103904 & BREMIL $9.99 111804. Tasted 2/1/05 - Light in body, little aroma. According to bottle, this wine can cellar up to three years; it seems to have lost what it started with. Somewhat watery, with practically no aftertaste - nothing to appreciate on the palate. Drinkable but without pleasure. As the wine warmed up, a more lingering bite formed, but didn't lend much to the overall taste. Drank 4/3/05 - no change in taste.

(2) Sutter Home Gewürztraminer 2003 -13.2% alc., PS $5.99 111504 PS124 $5.99 111904

Sutter Home Gewürztraminer 2002,  Alcohol: 12.9%; PS124 $4.00 111904. Tasted 2/6/05; light in body almost bordering on watery, but has a slight citrusy aroma. The taste is a little grapefruity, with a light tartness for palate after-taste. Needs more umpf for my taste standards. Tasted 2/24/05 - much as above, a little mellower.

Sutter Home Winery Signature Gewürztraminer 2001, Trinchero Family  Estates, 13.0% alc., PSP $4.99 111704; Tasted 1/26/05 - Slight vinegary background flavor, a little traditional aroma present. Wine was definitely at it's maturity and a little beyond. Not recommended for purchase if found. Bottle #2 tasted 1/31/05 - little aroma, light gold color, light body, spicy with a hint of peach, a little tartness for aftertaste. This bottle was a good one.

Trimbach Gewürztraminer 2001, Appellation Alsace Controlee, $13% alc., DISWAU, $15.99, 113004

Twisted River Gewürztraminer Bin 106 Qualitätswein 2003, 14% alc., Leonard Kreusch: bottled, shipped, imported by, Pfalz, Trier, Germany, $9.99, Discount Liquor, Milwaukee, 1/15/05

Valckenberg Pfalz Gewurztraminer QbA 2002, $8.99; Tasted 2/21/04 - nice opening aroma, initial tip of the tongue was semi-sweet and fruity, but little finish - slight residual tartness. A light to medium bodied wine, pleasant enough to drink but with little frills. Tasted 3/7/05 - A very reserved nose, nothing I could identify. Same with the taste, semi-sweet to sweet with very subtle spice.

von Stiehl Oktoberfest, Algoma, Wisconsin; 80% Vignoles. Gewurztraminer 10%, Riesling !0%; purchased  2/20/05, this is more what I expected an Oktoberfest to taste like; the spices were light and refreshing, Tasted 3.21.05. Delightful flavor.

BRENGW - Brennan's Market, New Glarus, Wisconsin

BREMIL - Brennan's Market, Blue Mound Rd., Brookfield, Wisconsin

DISWAU - Discount Liquor, Waukesha, Wisconsin

ERIMAU - Eric's Specialty Liquors & Wines, Mauston, Wisconsin

EWIPE - Estate Wines International, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

FRINFM - Firehouse Liquor, Northfield, Minnesota

GRABRO - Grasch Foods, Brookfield, Wisconsin

JOS124 - Jewel-Osco, 124th St., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

OTTO MF - Otto's Liquor Store, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

PS - Pick 'n' Save, Sussex, Wisconsin

PSP - Pick 'n' Save, Ryan St., Pewaukee, Wisconsin

SENMF - Sentry Food Store, Menomonee Falls

SENOCO - Sentry Food Store, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

TLLMAN - Timber Lodge Liquor, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

VRIBLU - V Richard's, Blue Mound, Brookfield, Wisconsin

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