Last Week's Tasting Notes

Owen Roe Mirth Chardonnay ($13.99)
Washington
From the producer:
"The Mirth is quintessential Chardonnay exhibiting bright tropical notes and excellent purity of flavor and balance unencumbered by oak flavor. The wine is fermented and cellared in stainless steel to preserve its freshness and varietal character."

From me:
This unoaked Chardonnay is a good crossover white: while it can be nice in summer because of its fruitiness, its creaminess on the palate makes it a good fall wine, too. The notes of buttery Meyer lemon complement roasted fowl or a meatier fish.

Michel Gassier Nostre Païs Blanc Costières de Nîmes ($19.99)
France
From the producer:
"Appearance: the pale yellow color tinted in green announces a wine with a great deal of freshness and purity
Nose: the complex nose reveals floral and mineral notes with accents of fresh citrus fruits
Taste: lively and fresh, the aromas of flowers and white fruits, blends with flint. The very soft finish evinces a great deal of minerality."

From me:
52% Grenache blanc, 22% Roussanne, 17% Viognier, 7% Clairette & 2% Bourboulenc
Gassier makes outstanding wines with organically farmed grapes, and the Nostre Païs line (white and red) is no exception. This white has body and depth of flavor balanced by mineral undertones. It is soft and smooth on the palate, but has complexity and character. This can be enjoyed now or aged for up to three years. It pairs well with chicken, game fowl, rabbit, strong cheeses, pumpkin, and leeks.

Trimbach Gewurztraminer ($24.99)
France
From the producer:
"The fruitiest and the spiciest of the varietals – a unique wine. It is in Alsace that this grape variety reaches the height of perfection. Its dry personality makes it ideal as an aperitif and it pairs extremely well with specialty cuisine with pronounced flavors.
Pair with : Gewurztraminer is a fine accompaniment for fish or seasoned meats, spicy and exotic dishes, soft cheeses (such as the famous Munster), and a plethora of desserts.
Ageing Potential :  Minimum 5 years

From me:
I asked my distribution rep to bring me a traditional Alsatian Gewurztraminer, and he delivered big time. Gewurz can be a polarizing wine--some love it, some hate it--but I've had ones that are great and ones that are undrinkable. Like any varietal, there's a spectrum of quality. What distinguishes Gewurztraminer, I think, is that it has a unique aroma and flavor, and that unfamiliarity can color our reactions to it. The first Gewurztraminer I had was awful, but since then I have had many that are delicious, and of course wines from Alsace, the Finger Lakes, and Oregon will have very different characteristics. 
I prefer Gewurztraminer from Alsace, and Trimbach makes me a little weak in the knees, to be honest--it's a great example of the Alsatian style and a clean expression of terroir. This is the wine to consider pairing with your Thanksgiving meal.