Gewurztraminer

History and significance

Raised best in cool climates, Gewurztraminer requires a very specific and exact climate to prosper. Gewurztraminer cannot grow in dry, chalky soil, and though cool climates are best, warm summers are essential. Gewurztraminer vines require low yields to create its aroma and flavors successfully.

Its name literally means “spice traminer,” though no one is certain of the grapes history. It is guessed that a long time ago, an older Traminer grape or Sauvignon Blanc mutated creating a Sauvignon Rose or Red Traminer. The latter grapes then mutated again, creating the present, very sweet Gewurztraminer. The Gewurztraminer raised in Alsace, France is most likely pure Gewurztraminer. In Germany their “Gewurztraminer” may actually be the Sauvignon Rose or Red Traminer as it is drier and not as perfumed.

Grown in..

Gewurztraminer is grown in Alsace and Southern France, Germany, Austria, Northeast Italy, Chile, all over Canada, Northwest United States, the Finger Lakes of New York, New Zealand, and Israel. Gewurztraminer is quite sweet and can make good port or dessert wine.  Argentina does not grow large amounts of Gewurztraminer; however, due to its climate of both warm and cool, the grape shows promise.

Typicity

Gewurztraminer wine is naturally sweet and tastes of rose, passion fruit, and lychees (a red berry).  The acidity is tame, and stronger when unripe. It is a lighter wine suitable to drink with Asian food, especially Khmer cuisine. Gewurztraminer is often aged in glass carboys over oak because oak imparts a Chardonnay-like flavor. Gewurztraminer wine does not even have to be aged, though it is usually aged for as little as two months. 

tags: gewuztraminer ·