My first epiphany wine was a California Gewürztraminer in my early 20’s (back in 1992)!!  At that time, I had no clue that Gewürzt had so many styles and came from so many regions.  There’s a wide belief that Gewürztraminer are insipid and sweet; but to me, it’s pure heaven!  Other whites will compare as “shy little flowers.”  This month, I’ve been experimenting with Alsatian wines; the most northern wine region in France.  Alsace is located 300 miles east of Paris and considered the driest yet most beautiful region of France! Tonight we tried the Michel Leon Gewurztraminer 2011 – a wine with nice range of gripping flavors, finesse and complexity! The flavors do not simply sit in the glass… it’s literally raging in it!  Drink me now!  Our neighbor and good friend, Duncan, thought that the wine was too sweet but in reality, the massive fruitiness was mistaken for sweetness.  Typically Alsatian style wines are more-less dry, then sweet.  It carries a nice flavor of gingerbread, fruit-cocktail syrup, smoke, stones, minerals, and honeysuckle.  Enormous body and low natural acidity with massively concentration and ravishingly elegant.  The flavor is so heady; you’d swear you’re lying in a bed of acacia and honeysuckled blossoms. I can’t wait to try the Alsatian Pinot Blanc next…..!