Gewürztraminer

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Gewürztraminer (IPA: /ɡəʼvɝtstɹəminɚ/, sounds like guh-VERTS-truh-MEE-ner; IPA: /ɡɛʼvyːʀtstʀamiːneʀ/ in German; Croatian: Traminac mirisavi; Hungarian: fűszeres tramini), sometimes referred to as Gewürz or Traminer, is a white wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates. It is known for its spicy characteristics. The name literally means "Spice Traminer", and derives from the grape being a highly aromatic variant of its parent, simply called "Traminer".^[1]

The characteristic of the wine, rather than any specific spice, is that there is a strong smell of lychees on the bouquet. This characteristic aroma means that Gewürztraminer is classified as an aromatic wine grape. Dry Gewürztraminer also have aromas of roses, passion fruit and floral notes. As such until recently it used to be considered as one of the few wines that is suitable to be enjoyed with curry and other Asian foods. But it can be over-aromatic for many after the first glass (see Matching Wine with Curry). The Gewürztraminer goes well with Munster cheese, and fleshy, fatty (oily) wild game.

It is believed to be related to Viognier, another aromatic grape. It is not uncommon to notice some spritzig (fine bubbles on the inside of the glass).

[edit] Places grown

In Europe the grape is typically grown in the Alsace region of France, Germany, Hungary, Moravia in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, and in Bulgaria. In the United States, it is grown in California, Oregon, the Columbia Valley of Washington, Caddo County, Oklahoma, and the Finger Lakes Region of New York. Canadian regions where it is grown include the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, the Niagara Peninsula, and the north shore of Lake Erie and Prince Edward County wine regions of Ontario. The grape is also grown in New Zealand and Australia. It is also a native grape to Trentino-South Tyrol, a higher altitude region in northeastern Italy. Unlike many Italian wines that receive Slovenian oak, this wine is aged in Austrian oak.

[edit] History

The difference between the grape Savagnin (Traminer/Savagnin Rosé) and Gewürztraminer is very small. The Office Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin states them to be extremely similar but separate. Traminer originated in the South Tyrolean village of Tramin. It is recorded that it was grown there from ca. 1000 until the 16th century. It was spread to Alsace through the Palatinate where Gewürz was added to its name. The longer name was adopted in Alsace in 1870. In 1973 the name Traminer was discontinued in Alsace except for in the Heiligensten area.

[edit] References

1. ^ Stuart Wilson (1996). Understanding, Choosing, and Enjoying Wine. London: Hermes House, p. 88. ISBN 0-681-18585-6. 

• Clark, Oz; Margaret Rand (2003). Grapes and Wines. London: Time Warner Books. ISBN 0-316-72653-2.