Husch Vineyards

Gewurztraminer is one of the grapes that got Anderson Valley through as a wine region until the Pinot Noir kicked in and people in expensive cars started rolling through the valley looking for red wine. Before that, we drank the Riesling, the Chardonnay, and, yes oh yes, the Gewurz. Husch has vines of the variety planted as far back as 1968, which give classic Alsatian floral and spice qualities – always a good thing with otherwise lightweight white wines.

This particular bottling has very little color, so your first clue that it’s the real deal comes when you sniff the pears, white peaches and petrol notes mingled with lilies and strawflowers. In your mouth you get all these confected into the perfect late summer wine: light and refreshing, alternately gripping your palate and gliding across it, and keeping the fruit alive and cool long in the finish. All this for only fourteen bucks, friends, and summer doesn’t official end until September 22nd.

Reviewed September 15, 2006 by Thom Elkjer.