2015 Chateau Nomad Alemanni Trousseau Gris

You may be familiar with the origins behind Pinot Gris: the deep-purple Pinot Noir grape experienced a mutation that led to the grayish-pink variety of Pinot Gris. Much like Pinot Noir, the eastern-France (Jura) red grape Trousseau once saw a similar partition in its species due to a mutation that led to Trousseau Gris, a light-skinned white grape. Sippers of Trousseau Gris may be more closely acquainted with its alternative name, Gray Riesling, if looking at a bottle from California. LUSH’s very own owner, Mitch Einhorn, used parcels of this unique grape from different parts of California, leading to this week's Wednesday Word on Wine: the 2015 Chateau Nomad Alemanni Trousseau Gris. Trousseau Gris is, traditionally, used to provide body and aromatics to a variety of blends, in part due to a diminishing population throughout the 20th century and becoming a part of “field blend” vineyards in California. When used as a standalone grape, however, its acidity and stone fruit flavors make way for ample minerality. The 2015 Chateau Noman Alemanni captures these exact characteristics, with no traces of residual sugar or oak treatment and an extremely dry finish. Coupled with the Trousseau Gris’ typical peach aromas, the nose has some strong pear, bleu cheese and river stone complexities. Clie eceee The list of food pairings for this golden-orange-hued wine is long; there isn't much room to misstep in this regard. That said, seafood and salads are great companions to the 2015 Chateau Noman Alemanni, as well as lean meats like roasted chicken or braised rabbit. Korean barbecue is a surprisingly delicious pairing, as well.