New World: Gewürztraminer & Torrontés
2015: Gold 1 Silver 3 Bronze 0 Commended 4
2014: Gold 3 Silver 3 Bronze 2 Commended 3
Was last year a false dawn? Three Golds and three Silvers in 2014 suggested great things for these two über-aromatic cousins. But while this year wasn’t terrible (frequently we get no Gold-Listed wines at all), our sommelier tasters weren’t entirely won over.
What’s undoubtedly true is that the medal count and the feedback were significantly better for Torrontés than they were for Gewürztraminer, with our tasters even describing the former as ‘food-friendly’, which doesn’t happen every year.
From The Tasting Teams
‘The Torrontés flight was very interesting and excellent value. Really approachable and food-friendly. You can have a really stunning surprise without spending too much money on it.’ Jeremie Guiraud, Lords of the Manor
‘Once these wines start getting expensive, you can get so much better aromatic wines with things like Riesling.’ Annette Scarfe MW, team leader
‘These overtly rich, oily, over-the-top Gewürztraminers are not really food-friendly wines, they are much more suited to people who like overtly perfumed wines as an aperitif. I don’t think these are food wines generally speaking.’ Natasha Hughes MW, team leader
‘[The Andeluna Torrontés] was the most expensive wine but it really merits a place on a wine list.’ Richard Bampfield MW, team leader
‘I struggled with the New World Gewürztraminers. They were difficult wines –some bitter finishes and some soapiness.’ Gareth Ferreira, Launceston Place
‘The Gewürztraminers lacked a little lift – there was more texture than freshness.’ Richard Bampfield MW, team leader