Gewürztraminer

This white wine variety is instantly recognisable for its extremely aromatic nose and palate. Known for its heavy scent of lychees and roses, it is a full-bodied wine with a pungent quality — an ideal match for chilli and the stronger, pungent spices. It is not widely grown in Australia, since warmer areas like the Hunter Valley can produce overly fat and oily wines or, if picked too early, wines which do not have the full aromatic pungency gewürztraminer should achieve. Some cooler areas of Victoria, the Clare Valley and Tasmania are now showing what can be done with this variety in Australia, with some dry styles in evidence.