With 13.5% alcohol, high for this grape, and costing under $18, the 2016 Gustave Lorentz Gewurztraminer Reserve scored a pleasant 15 points on the 20-point Dionysian scale.

It reflected a bit too much RS (residual sugar) and should have been dryer to pair with food better. It had the spice and herb nose and was like most Vin D’Alsace examples from France, but the sweetness distracted from its overall quality.

Served with a spicy pork dish. I usually have a dry Gewurztraminer with Thai food.

In all fairness, the back label does note it as semi-sweet. I never noticed that or would have avoided it. I like this grape upon release and aged up to five or six years. The higher sugar level and higher alcohol is for the American wine drinker. In Vino Veritas.