The ABC of Wine Grapes: E is for Edeltraube

Edeltraube is the German synonym for Gewuerztraminer. The wines possess very heady, perfumed aromas of litchi, spices and roses.

The wines’ styles reach from dry to sweet, they often are full-bodied and sometimes quite viscous, and they should be drunk relatively young. If you like the drier, lighter styles, try the 2006 Villa Wolf Gewuerztraminer from the Pfalz area in Germany for $12. It is aromatic and uplifting, with lemon and melon elements, hints of tropical fruit and some restrained spices. There is an oh-so-slight bitterness in the finish. This wine straddles the ripeness line, but it is a good break from some of the sweeter styles. This is one of the wines that go well with Asian dishes, sushi (including the ginger), spicy foods, ham, salty dishes, turkey and many types of cheeses.