Hogue Gewürztraminer 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Here's a white wine with a German name that makes a perfect companion to spicy bratwursts in this season of Oktoberfest.
Gewürz means "spice" in German, and traminer is a grape variety that hails from Italy. Made in the Columbia Valley of Washington, which is at the same latitude as the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions of France, the grape thrives in the warm summer days and cool nights.
The result is a semi-sweet wine with intense floral and orchard fruits that is layered with the same fruit flavors and a soft, mineral character. The wine is cold-fermented in stainless steel.
Sherry: "A spicy blend of pear and honey." 3-1/2 stars
Chris: "Floral and pineapple notes, pineapple and apricot flavors and a bit of citrus on the finish." 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Trapiche Pinot Noir