Going into this week, I knew it was going to be a hectic one, particularly because I not only have several work projects simmering, but also am preparing to be out of the office at the end of next week for the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference in California. Don’t get me wrong, putting in a little extra time now so that Hubby and I can head out to CA is definitely something I’m happy to do, but I just have to keep reminding myself of that fact when I come home exhausted at the end of the night. Because I knew it was going to be a week like this at work, combined with the fact that I also knew I would have a condo association board meeting, Hubby and I planned for a week of easy dinners. The problem is that sometimes wine and my normal “quick dinner” options don’t match up very well. Now, I love Indian food…I mean, I really love it. Hubby, on the other hand, is a slow convert, but he is starting to come around. So, back in June I convinced him to try the Kitchens of India chicken curry paste, and we both really enjoyed it, making it the newest addition to the “quick dinner” menu items (yes, it’s high in sodium, but, hey, it’s better than hot dogs with mac & cheese). The exciting thing about adding an Indian dish to the list is that it means even on crazy work nights there are some fun wine pairings that I can play with—like Gewürztraminer.

It’s hard to write about Gewürztraminer without mentioning that “gewürz” means “spicy,” a definition that coincidentally not only speaks to the spice flavors in the wine, but also to the types of food that pair well with it. As Gewürztraminer flourishes in Alsace and is the one of the most common Vin D’ Alsace, it seemed appropriate to pick one for make my first review of the grape.

The 2004 Jean Baptiste Adam Vin D’ Alsace Gewürztraminer (vineyard, snooth) was a medium lemon color with slow forming, but very big, drippy legs. The medium-to-pronounced aromas on the nose were very perfumey—blossoms and honeysuckle—and hinted of peaches. In the mouth, the floral flavors dominated, but were quickly followed by ginger, peach, and mango. The wine’s sweetness really emerges on the medium-length finish, along with a light mouth tingle and a slightly odd aftertaste. The body is light and the acid is low, both of which contribute to a very drinkable wine.

Is this worth a glass after work? Sure…you won’t be drinking anything out of the ordinary, but you’ll definitely have a decent, reliable glass of wine. At $15, this wine had everything I expect in a Gewürz—very aromatic, with floral and spicy characteristics that make for a wine that is enjoyable on its own, while the slight sweetness makes it a good accompaniment with a spicy dish.

Overall: 3 Corks