🍇 Confessions of a Wine Lover

A 5-Part Series of Sips, Slips, and Self-Inflicted Wine Drama

You could say I know my way around a wine list. I swirl, I sniff, I even say things like “good structure” with a straight face. But even seasoned wine lovers have their moments—and by “moments,” I mean mildly embarrassing, occasionally dangerous, often hilarious encounters with the world of wine.

This five-part series is a celebration of those very moments: the accidental pairings, the mispronunciations, the tasting room disasters. Because for all the prestige and polish of wine culture, the truth is, it’s meant to be enjoyed. And sometimes that enjoyment comes with a splash of humility… and maybe a screwcap.

Welcome to Confessions of a Wine Lover—where the palate is refined, but the stories are usually not.

🍇 Episode 2: The Gewürztraminer Gamble

Confession:
I still don’t know how to pronounce Gewürztraminer. I’ve never said it the same way twice—and at this point, I’m too afraid to ask.

The Story:
You’d think by now I’d have this grape down. It’s not obscure, it’s not new to me, and yet every time I see it on a wine list, I panic like a contestant in a spelling bee who just got a word in ancient Gaelic.

Is it guh-VERTS-truh-mee-ner? Or geh-VOORTS-tra-meaner? One time I went full improv and said “Gewürtz… tremor?” The sommelier raised an eyebrow. I pointed at the menu and said, “This one. The German-ish one.” I’d like to say I owned it with confidence, but the truth is, I ordered it with the same energy as someone asking for directions in a foreign country using only hand gestures.

The wine, of course, was gorgeous—floral, spicy, slightly off-dry, with just enough personality to distract from my identity crisis at the table.

Takeaway:
Never let pronunciation keep you from a good glass of wine. This grape may be a tongue twister, but it deserves a place in your glass—and maybe even your heart. And when in doubt, say it quickly and pretend you have a cold. Works every time.

Wine Pick:

Trimbach Gewürztraminer (Alsace, France)

A textbook expression from one of Alsace’s most respected producers. Expect aromas of rose petal, lychee, and ginger, with a dry, elegant finish. Pairs beautifully with Thai food, Indian curries, and unresolved pronunciation anxiety.