Zephyr Gewurztraminer 2013
Our top wine brings together fresh fragrances such as rosehip and quince and more savoury spice notes such as nutmeg. It is fresh and lively, finishing dry with an attractive textural flourish. “It’s not a flamboyant version,” said John Belsham. “The savoury element doesn’t detract, but makes it more complete and food-friendly.” Winemaker Ben Glover says it is “stunning” with warmed De Brood Bakker’s sourdough baguette with Over the Moon’s Galactic Gold Wash Rind Cheese.
Top wine profile
Fitted like a Glover
The decision to plant gewurz at the Glover family vineyard in the Wairau Valley back in 1993 came when paterfamilias Owen Glover was given a glass of perfumed Alsatian gewurz and was won over in an instant. “Must have some of that,” he decided, so in it went. The Glover family’s own Zephyr label made its debut in 2007 and gewurz has been part of the portfolio from the beginning. “I’m not a fan of the rich talc-and-Turkish Delight style of gewurztraminer,” says winemaker Ben Glover, son of Owen and his wife Wendy. “I go for purity and vibrancy – you want lushness, but not too much.” To add interest to the 2013 wine, Ben “played around” with the popular Italian orange wine techniques, when white wine is left to get chummy with the grape skins and seeds. “It gives the wine a bit more structure and a ‘what the hell is that?’ quality.” This result wasn’t the only cause for Glover celebration. Zephyr Riesling 2012 was third in the Top 10.
- Gewurztraminer - White wine
- Marlborough - New Zealand
- NZ$20-$25
- Sweetness: Dry
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- Cellar: 4 year(s) top 5
- View the full NZ Gewurztraminer 2013 tasting results