The Spicytraminer

After learning to make Thai curry, I learned I could handle a bit more heat in my curries. So the next time I had the chance to order yellow curry I did and ask them to spice it up a bit. Curries are particularly tricky when it comes to pairing a wine, the hotter the curry, the more problematic the wine pairing. Opt for flavors that counter heat like fruity, off-dry Rieslings from Germany or rich, full-bodied style Gewurztraminers from Alsace. As long as you go easy on the chili, there is no reason why wine should give way to beer as a beverage of choice.

Fortunately, I brought the perfect wine to go with a spicy curry dish, 2010 Gewurztraminer Les Folastries from Domaine Josmeyer. Asian inspired dishes typically call for more aromatic wines and Gewurztraminer works brilliantly with milder spices and Oriental and Thai dishes. This particular Gewurztraminer is a very versatile wine with hints of rose petal and tropical fruits on the nose. The palate is full with lychee and ginger spice, mild with notes of rose and minerality. The wine is a little high in alcohol, which is typical to the Alsace region and the acid is slightly low as is frequently the case with this variety, but the fine acidity gives a nice grip and a little structure which makes it a great food wine.

It’s a stunning value at only $30 a bottle. It can also compliment any tomato-based dish as well as smoked salmon…cheers!

Switching it up a bit with some Seafood Yellow Curry J

P.S.

If you are not typically a fan of dry Gewurztraminers like myself than this is the Gewurtz for you! The winemaker, Celine Meyer, says this is a Gewurztraminer for those people who don’t like Gewurztraminer…and I agree. Usually, many Gewurztraminers smell and taste like rose water to me. And rose water reminds me of my grandmother’s perfume, which is a nice memory and fragrance but not something I personally want to drink. Les Folastries has hints of rose petal, which is typical for the varietal but is subtle and well integrated with other flavors that make it very pleasant to drink.