DRINK DIFFERENT: GETTING SPICY

Given our continuing love affair with spicy food, wines made from Gewurztraminer are deservedly popular.  Hugely aromatic, with notes of roses, lychees and sweet spice (‘Gewurz’ is the German for spice), these are opulent, complex wines which are the ideal foil for oriental food.

Gewurztraminer is now being grown around the world, but its spiritual home is Alsace, where the wines sometimes smell as if they will be sweet, but in actual fact have a healthy acidity to balance the mouth-filling richness.

A less well-known but great alternative is Torrontés, a grape from Argentina which delivers a similar roses and face-cream aroma (yes, really).  A slightly lighter alternative to Gewurztraminer, it is also generally easier on the wallet, and worthy alternative.