***+ Chez Ray Gewurztraminer, Columbia Gorge, Underwood, WA, 2008

Find Columbia Gewurztraminer at WineZap. 

This Chez Ray Gewurztraminer 2008 white wine started life almost exactly one year ago as frozen grapes from Brehm Vineyards, specifically, this lot:

328-06CGGW - 2006 Columbia Gorge Gewurztraminer, Underwood WA (G8)

They were fermented with a 58w3 yeast, aged with a couple small slices of charred French oak, and bottled two weeks ago.  In the glass, this is a light yellow, with hints of green.

Poured cold and swirled vigorously, the nose is bright with sweet lemon and grass.  On the palate, the first note is almost a brisk lime spritz that hits the back of your mouth.  Robust acids draw it up and out into your cheeks.  Finish is clean and perky.  Three stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. 

This might actually want to be a lightly sweet wine, as some gewurz' tend to be.
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Testing the sweet-hypothesis, at a sweetness level of between 6-8 teaspoons sugar per 750 ml, Chez Ray Gewurztraminer earns a plus on its three stars for friendliness, without having lost its varietal tanginess.

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Updating this testing, four teaspoons sugar per 750 ml does a nice job just offsetting the acids with a light touch.

Jeremy's Berry Blend

Here's Jeremy's Berry Blend.  Homebrewed, though I don't know the ingredients.  Let's see what comes through...

In the glass: Jeremy's Berry Blend shows as very light red in the glass, with elements of pink and light brick.

On the nose: Poured without a decant and swirled vigorously, the berry wine pours out an overwhelming fruit punch aroma, sweet and friendly and lifted high with the alcohol.  

On the palate: The first element is a bright and dry berry bite at the back of your tongue.  Then a nice balance builds between the fruit, the acid and the light sweetness.  A violet/lavendar perfumed aroma comes on at the later point in each sip, racing across your mouth.


And the finish: Sweet acids wrap up the sip, with elements of that intriguing perfume lingering.

In summary: Overall, a well-balanced, light, tangy, friendly and punch-fruit driven experience.  Though red in color, the balance of sugar, acids and fruits more resembles a pleasant, off-dry white wine.  Definitely worth a return visit!