Friday Fun Pairings – Pumpkin Pie and Gewurztraminer

With pumpkins being picked and Thanksgiving being right around the corner I thought it would be a good idea to pair something with pumpkin pie. Who doesn’t love pumpkin pie? It is definitely one of my favorite treats during the holidays.

Gewurztraminer is a beautifully aromatic white grape variety that originates from northern Italy in the Alto/Adige region, specifically from the small village of Tramin. The name translates to “spiced” or “perfumed” traminer, and although it originated there, it is now grown all over the world. It can be found in dry and sweet (off-dry) versions, with some of the best examples coming from the Alsace region of France. Dominated by aromas and flavors of lychee fruit, passion fruit, rose petal and apricots, it contains a unique spiciness to it that I think pairs great with a nice homemade pumpkin pie.

My favorite Gewurztraminers are dry ones, which essentially trick you into thinking they are sweet, with all of their sweet fruit flavors and aromas.  My pick from here at the shop is the 2006 Montinore Gewurztraminer ($16.95) from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Additionally, “Gewurtz” is a great Thanksgiving dinner wine as well. Goes great with just about everything on the table, especially dry ones like the Montinore.

Cheers!