germany

The first time I tried a Gewurztraminer was at an Indian restaurant several years ago.  It was also the first time I had a more extensive taste of Indian foods.  I asked the waiter what would go well with my order and he told me about this unusual white wine that could hold its’ own with all the bold spices and complexity of Indian food.  He was right on the money. To me it was a marriage made in heaven and I have loved this pairing ever since.

Last week I wrote about a less sweet alternative to Moscato in the form of the off-dry Jacob Heims Steep Slope Riesling. This week I’d like to do the same for those searching for a simple, dry, yet somewhat fruity alternative to a Pinot Grigio. I recommend giving a Mueller Thurgau a try.

In the not too distant past, this was the Rodney Dangerfield of grapes. It was initially from Switzerland, then made its way to Germany where it was widely grown after World War II to help save the vitaculturial economy. Hardy, easy to grow, the Mueller Thurgau produced easy to drink table wines. Low and behold it took off and in some ways helped the German cheap wine craze in the 1960’s that Americans embraced.

After a period of time where higher end German wines were catching on, particularly off dry and dry Rieslings, sales of Blue Nun, Black Tower and wines made from Mueller Thurgau decreased. Of course what goes around comes around, and this light, simple, crisp dry white is back in favor.

In the midst of the Moscato craze that has been dominating the sweet-white wine drinking world of late, it might be time to step back and enjoy a wine that is still fruit laden and refreshing without the excessive sweetness that some moscatos contain.