Total Newbie Asking About Gewürztraminer.

[Mycah Leonhart]

Gewürztraminer, a lady friend of mine is asking me over to have some and I've never heard of it till she asked me to have some, (she's from a rich family, I'm from a poorer one) and well is it any good?, what other wines are good, I read another newbie post on here and I've had LOTS of White Zin before, what else can I try out?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Mycah, and welcome to the Wine Board. Gewurztraminer is not necessarily a rich man's wine. When bright and fresh they are frequently described as spicy, and go with spicy food. They are usually off dry (slightly sweet) if American, e.g. Chateau Ste Michelle, Navarro. The best ones come from Alsace and are bone dry; unless they are one of the much rarer and very expensive late harvest versions. These latter are best used as dessert wines.

You might also try riesling. It comes in all sorts of versions from dry to cloyingly sweet. A very versitile wine matching with a wide range of foods.

[wondersofwine]

You may also want to try some red zinfandels. One that is reasonably priced (about $13 at my grocerty store)is the Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Vines Zinfandel. If you find you like red wines you may want to try a Beaujolais, the Bogle Merlot (under $10 usually) and other reds.