Abarbanel Gewürztraminer wine from Alsace is restrained, yet this white shows grapefruit and litchi flavors matched to a firm, lean structure, and it's balanced and harmonious. Good lingering finish. It also packs a wallop of perfume and spices, with layers of chrysanthemums and dried fig on the palate, and a mineral chalky finish. (Mevushal) Price $19.99 Gewurztraminer -- a tough word to pronounce but a very easy wine to drink. Gewurz is the German word for "Spicy" and "Traminer" is the actual grape type (like "Merlot."). Gewurztraminers are typically both spicy and sweet at the same time. The bouquet on this type of wine is like you've fallen nose first into a field of spring flowers. The home of Gewurztraminer is the Alsace region of France. Alsace shares a border with Germany along the Rhine river. The area is very similar in terrain and climate to the German wine regions and the kind of wines produced in Alsace are a fascinating blend of both French and German winemaking methods and traditions. The world's foremost Gewurztraminers come from Alsace and the only genuine Alsacian kosher and mevushal Gewurztraminer comes from Abarbanel. The 1995 vintage (still available in some stores) was a Gold Medal Winner at the International Eastern Wine Competition and is a dry style Gewurz. The 1997 vintage (more readily available) is "Vendange Tardive," or Late Harvest, meaning a sweeter style as the grapes accumulated more residual sugar from a longer stay on the vines. Both wines are powerful on the palate -- your tongue will be hit with instantaneous assaults of sugar and spice, oak and herbs. Gewurztraminers are perhaps one of the only white wines that can stand up to steak. Recommended food pairings are with Asian cuisine, especially Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean foods. We also recommend pairing this wine with hot Mexican and Spanish dishes -- a great companion to chile con carne. Great for dessert on its own. The 1997 Gewurztraminer was rated as one of America's Top Kosher Wines by Bon Appetit Magazine and is a Silver Medal Winner from the Tasters Guild. Our new 1999 vintage Gewurz made its debut last year for Rosh HaShanah 2000 and is the vintage available in most stores for the 2001 High Holiday season. Deep mineral and earth tones will make this an instant classic for friends of Haut-Rhin, high elevation Alsacian wines.