Fans of the riesling know that it does best in cooler climates, and fans of dry gewurztraminer know that it tends to have similar tastes in growing environments.  Riesling of course features delightful pome fruits, honey, and minerality in a bright package.  Gewurztraminer by contrast tends to feature flavors of flowers, tropical fruits, and a certain spiciness.  So what might happen if you take an area that’s notable for riesling and gewurztraminer, and blend them together?  Well Pillitteri Estates Gewurztraminer Riesling Fusion seeks to find that out.

Sight:  Pale straw in color, very light.

Smell:  A light spice eminates to lead off, and it is metered by some floral notes throughout.  Notes of ripe pears, honey, and white peach all add a pleasant fruitiness to it.  A touch of minerality and citrus round things out.

Sip:  The start is bright, and loaded with a mix of flowers and bright citrus.  Notes of white peaches and pears creep in with hints of spice.  The body is relatively light, and the flowers subdue the touches of sweetness that are present.

Savor:  The ending is again floral with spice and pear skins rounding things out.

Pillitteri Estates Gewurztraminer Riesling Fusion creates a best of both worlds situation, with the brightness and body of riesling mixed with the floral spiciness of a gewurz.  While there are some elements of the cool climate coming into play, keeping the stone fruit more subdued, there’s still plenty of good fruit from the pears.  If you like either of these two varietals, then Pillitteri Estates Gewurztraminer Riesling Fusion is definitely worth a try.

Verdict: Spicy, Floral, Pear, Light
Price: $13 CAD (about $9.50 USD)
Niagara On The Lake, Ontario, Canada