The gewurztraminer grape is its taste. Gewurztraminer: a noble wine with a terrifying name
The name Traminer grape variety refers to a family of several varieties of berries of Austrian origin. This variety is widespread in Western Europe and is widely cultivated not only in this territory, but also in Russia. In the proposed material, the varieties of grapes of this family and the features of its agricultural technology are considered.
This grape and its main variety - Gewürztraminer - were cultivated in the Middle Ages, on the territory of present-day Austria, on the Alpine slopes. Over time, the variety has spread to other countries. The current name Traminer was given relatively recently - in 1973, and is dedicated to the Italian province of the same name. It was originally cultivated by farmers from the wild grapes that grew in the area.
Varieties of varieties
Traminer belongs to the Muscat grape variety. The family includes several different varieties with some differences.
Pink
Pest and disease resistant, fruitful variety with berries round shape and pink. The berries are medium-sized, with a high content of juice. The main purpose is making wine.
Black
This variety was bred quite recently - in 2007 in Greece. The berry has a bluish-black tint, the brush is dense, medium in size.
White
A variation of the pink variety. It is characterized by a lighter (almost white) berry color. It has a spicy taste and is widely used in winemaking.
External data
All of the listed varieties differ mainly only in the color and characteristics of the berries. Further - about the external data of the variety.
Bush
It does not have a great strength of growth, especially when it comes to industrial cultivation. Looks classic - medium height, densely covered with leaves and strewn with grape clusters.
Leaves and shoots
The leaves are wide, leathery, with rounded teeth, small in size. The color of young foliage is green, with the course of the season acquiring a yellowish-red hue. Shoots are spreading, the tops have a whitish tint.
Fruits and yield
The size of the fruit is small. The color of the berries depends on the variety. The brush is dense, conical in shape, after ripening it weighs, on average, about ninety grams. Traminer is distinguished by early ripening, the berries remain on the vine for a long time, which allows for complete harvesting of the fruit. Productivity is consistently high, with minor fluctuations from year to year.
Growing region
Traminer prefers a warm climate and is grown in the southern part of Europe, on the territory of our country - in the Kuban, Crimea and other regions with a warm climate.
Landing time and technology
Shoots are planted in flat areas and hillsides facing south and southwest. The place is chosen with free access to sunlight and must be sufficiently humid.
If a wintering seedling is used, planting is carried out in the middle of April, young shoots are planted later - in early June.
A small hole is preliminarily pulled out, up to eighty in depth and up to seventy centimeters in diameter. The roots are sprinkled with an upper, more fertile layer of soil, and the lower one is evenly dispersed over the site. If the soil is clay, a little rubble with sand is poured into the pit before planting, with sandy soil - compost. With the indicated composition, the pit is filled up to half, then fertilizers are applied, and the soil is filled up.
The seedling should be placed so that the top open bud is five to ten centimeters below the ground. The roots should be placed at a depth of at least forty centimeters, this will exclude their damage from winter frosts.
Agricultural rules
The peculiarities of grape cultivation take into account several factors, which determine how intensively the bush will develop. Traminer does not tolerate severe frosts, so for the winter the vine is buried in and covered with a film. At the beginning of the season, after opening, the vine is placed on a rigid trellis made of stretch marks between two installed pillars.
Soil composition
Loamy soils of high fertility are suitable for grapes. It is necessary to preliminarily liming the soil, especially if the soil is of high acidity.
Irrigation
Provide abundant irrigation at least once a week. Watering should be limited during the ripening period to eliminate excess moisture.
Top dressing
Regular feeding will provide essential nutrients and should be done every month, except for the specified ripening period. Fertilizers are also laid when planting a bush, directly into the pit. Used: wood ash, potassium, nitrogen, humus, peat.
Treatment
To protect the bushes from pests, fungicides are used. The grapes are regularly inspected for pest exclusion. At the beginning of the season, the soil around the bush and vine must be treated with iron vitriol. Over time, regular treatments will help counteract possible pests and diseases.
Formation of a fruiting vine
To ensure a stable yield, the bush must be properly formed. Initially, half of the available buds, located in the upper part of the shoot, are left for the fruits, the clusters are removed from the lower branches - a vine is formed for the next year's harvest. They do this every season, gradually removing the lower branches and cutting off the weak ones, leaving strong shoots.
If the bush is not pruned for several years, you should not expect a large yield and large berries. The correct formation of the bush will provide the necessary quality of the berries and a stable harvest.
Note! A newly planted bush cannot be pruned; this operation is performed starting from the second season.
Reproduction methods
The main methods of reproduction of Traminer are by layering and cuttings. For the formation of a layering, the edge of a young vine is buried in the middle of the season, for subsequent rooting and obtaining a separate shoot. This method allows you to get a stronger shoot that is resistant to low temperatures.
Cuttings are cut from a young vine and stored until spring in the basement, treated with wax. They are planted in the ground when stable warm weather sets in, observing the above rules.
When to wait for the first fruiting
The first fruiting occurs in the second season. But the bush will begin to give a stable yield from the fourth to fifth year of cultivation.
Ripening and harvesting terms
The berries ripen towards the end of summer and beginning of autumn. You should not prematurely remove the brushes, since more mature berries have time to gain aroma and sweetness.
Where are grapes used?
The Traminer grape is widely used in winemaking. It serves as a raw material for the preparation of exquisite elite white wines.
Growing Traminer on a personal plot, the gardener will receive delicious juicy berries and will be able to independently prepare aromatic wine, which is in no way inferior to that purchased in the store. This variety is stable enough for cultivation in the Russian conditions of the southern regions and has a stable yield.
Gewurztraminer is a grape with a German name, Italian roots and a French passport, traveling throughout the winemaking world and preferring Alsace as home.
If you prefer wines with good manners, which are restrained when you meet them, but unfold delicately and for a long time, then the Gewurztraminer is not for you. If you like light and unobtrusive wines with a delicate aroma and taste, the Gewürztraminer is not for you either. This is a wine with an aggressive charm. It tries to seduce on the fly with its sensual spice, thrilling aroma of rose petals, tropical fruit flavors with hints of white pepper, bergamot and even Nivea cream, which is credited with a prominent Oz Clark specialty.
As soon as this grape variety was called: ruza in Romania, drumin in the Czech Republic, ptink red in Slovakia, ranfolica in Hungary, mala dinka in Bulgaria, heida in Switzerland, rotfranque in Germany, aromatics in France. The hard-to-pronounce, aggressive, catchy "Gewürztraminer" has become the official name for the most aromatic white grapes.
Traminer is one of the oldest grape varieties. It comes from the South Tyrolean town of Tramin (Termeno), the Bolzano region in northern Italy, where it has been cultivated for over 1000 years. As he moved northwest to, he acquired the "spicy" German prefix - Gewürz. Traminer prone to mutations was reborn into grapes with dark golden yellow or pinkish brown berries with dense skin.
hit or miss
The Gewürztraminer is very whimsical to grow and produce, and the difference between a “good” Gewürztraminer and a “simple” one can be radical. Soil, climate, harvest time, fermentation temperature can all cause failure. An overripe Gewürztraminer resembles a second-rate nutmeg, and an unripe one resembles a third-rate Riesling.
Favorite variety ...
Marlene Dietrich - the standard of beauty and style, the preacher of sexual freedom
Ruth Westheimer - guru of modern sexology
according to some testimonies, the most passionate composer Ludwig van Beethoven
Sooner or later?
For many, Gewürztraminer is synonymous with dessert wine, although most Alsatian Gewürztraminers are dry or nearly dry. Sweet wines, they are also the most prestigious ones, are made from late-harvest grapes with the maximum sugar and aroma - Vendenges Tardives. Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN) are wines made from selected very ripe berries most affected by botrytis cinerea - noble mold.
Dry Gewürztraminer has all the richness of aromas inherent in the variety, and bitterness may appear in the aftertaste. A fresh, catchy seed of black pepper adorns the finest Alsatian specimens. Botrytis destroys some of the essential oils, the aroma of the wine becomes softer, candied fruits, honey, melon, pralines appear in it.
The best dry grand crus should be aged no more than 10 years, late harvest wines no more than 15. Simple Gewürztraminers should be drunk young, they peak in the third year and quickly lose their shape.
Typical Gewürztraminer flavors
- orange jam
-
white pepper
- black currant leaf
caramel
Impatient terpenes
Gewürztraminer owes its catchy and at the same time infinitely rich aroma to the high concentration and special composition of terpenes that accumulate in the skin. Terpenes are hydrocarbons, the base component of essential oils. In Riesling, the concentration of terpenes is 13 times less than in Gewürztraminer, and in some nutmegs, on the contrary, a little more. Terroir is the basis of the fragrance. Alsatian clay soils, rich in limestone and minerals, provide the “correct” terpene composition for the best Gewürztraminer specimens.
In the German Palatinate, Gewürz is sour, with more floral and fruity aromas, and very few are as spicy as in Alsace. Powerful sweet Gewürztraminers are born in the Austrian Burgenland, and magnificent dry ones are born in the vicinity of Vienna. In its homeland, in the north of Italy, the wine turns out to be lighter, acidic and delicate than in Alsace.
Appearance
■ Small conical clusters
■ Small, sometimes pinkish rounded leaf, asymmetric, with pimply rounded teeth and a light downy down
Character
■ Loves fertile clay soils rich in limestone and minerals
■ Does not tolerate frosty winters
■ It blooms early and if the spring is late, the flowers often fall off
■ Loses its aroma due to the abundance of rains in summer, but if it's hot, it picks up sugar too quickly
Combinations
Gewurztraminer is also whimsical in the choice of dishes. It makes sense to follow the old tradition and choose typical dishes for the typical wine of the region: foie gras, goose liver pate with truffles, onion pie, smoked fish, baked goose and, of course, soft spicy Münster cheese with a reddish hard crust. Or you can follow the wine itself and not resist its romantic impulse, directed to the East, to dishes in sweet and sour sauce cooked with an abundance of spices. 
Winemaker about the variety
Jean Trimbach (Domaine Trimbach), representative of the family of owners of an old Alsatian house, working with all the noble varieties of the region:
“No one disputes that Gewurztraminer came to us from Alto Adige, but it is here that he gives the best results. We have it the most correct in terms of aromas, acidity and subtlety. There is no bend to either side. "
Today we will talk about a white grape that you can fall in love with in five seconds, at first sight. This is Gewurztraminer. Everyone who is carried away by this amazing variety of wine will always remember first impressions. One has only to bring the glass to the nose, and you will immediately feel the aromas of rose petals, overripe pineapple, mango and even white pepper.
It is very easy to pronounce "Gewurztraminer" - it should be decomposed into two words (from the German Gewurztraminer):
"Gewurz" is a spice, aroma, culinary seasoning and "Traminer" is a grape variety. Gewurztraminer is a spicy traminer, adored by almost all girls on our planet. The grapes still have an orange-pink color on the vine. In the glass, Gewurztraminer wine has a rich yellow, slightly oily shade.
A distinctive feature of Gewürztraminer is the residual sugar, which is clearly perceptible in the taste. Dry wine seems to be semi-dry - it is soft, enveloping. You can buy dry wine on our website.
The history of the masterpiece
The very word "Gewurztraminer" is very often heard in liquor stores... Despite the fact that for most lovers of this delightful grape variety, Gewurztraminer wine seems to be something rare, in many German and Italian wine shops it is as common as Muscat or Chardonnay. You can buy chardonnay on our website in a special section. The originality of taste and, of course, the magnificent, individual aroma have made this grape its own name.
For the first time Gewurztraminer (we mean the name of the variety, the grapes themselves were used much earlier) appeared in the village of Tramin (Italy) more than a thousand years ago. Just borrowing the name of the city is too small a step, because it would reflect only the homeland of grapes, without transferring any qualities. The Gewürz (spice) prefix reflected all the amazing qualities of the aromatic variety. This is how the name was born - Gewürztraminer.
When a Roman legionary set foot on these lands, the soldiers fell in love with the taste so much that they took the wine masterpiece to Rome in whole boxes. Caesar himself was delighted with Gewürztraminer, wine was served to noble persons, ambassadors of other states and consuls.
Remembering the Romans, it should be noted that it was they who actively promoted the Gewürztraminer grape variety, planting them all the territories that they managed to conquer (and, if we recall history, a lot was conquered). The second home of the spicy traminer was Alsace, a land inhabited by thousands of wine and beer lovers. You can also buy beer on our website and in our wineries.
The modern orange-pink color had nothing to do with the then Traminer, the bunches of grapes were pale green. The scent so admired by both the Romans and the Prussians was strong but had little to do with modern spices.
Golden, pink grape bunches appeared only by the 19th century. Dense grape "skin" on the vine, impeccable wine - all this has become a new era in the history of Gewürztraminer, whose history has come down to our times.
The official status of the wine, the product from Gewürztraminer, received only recently - only in 1973. Therefore, there is reason to believe that the modern Gewürztraminer, in the form in which we know it, has not yet turned 50 years old.
A fragrance that has no equal
The main feature and main advantage of the Gewürztraminer, as we have already reported, is the aroma. You can talk indefinitely about the fragrance of this variety, but one funny, and at the same time indicative case, speaks for itself.
It was in the mid-90s of the twentieth century, in France. While tasting various wines, the judge caught Gewürztraminer and after trying him, he immediately announced that he should have a glass change, since someone's perfume had obviously got into his wine. Yes, Gewürztraminer scent is often confused with perfume.
At first glance, it may seem that this is a clear exaggeration, but even a scientific point of view speaks for itself. Gewurztraminer contains special substances - terpenes. Their concentration in this variety is especially high; it is the terpenes that are the CH-group substances accumulated in the grape skins.
During fermentation, all terpenes come out of the grapes, filling them with wine. Also, these substances are used in the manufacture of essential oils. Compared to Riesling (by the way, it is also a fairly fragrant wine), then Gewurztraminer contains 13-15 times more terpenes. This striking fact is the reason for the incredible spice of Gewürztraminer.
Cin-roseoxide, geraniol, linalool: these are the types of terpenes that Gewurztraminer is rich in. It is distinguished by its particularly low acidity and high sugar level. It is this feature that allows the terpenes to fully unfold.
The smell of Gewürztraminer is not very simple: there is a rose, and a lilac, and a coconut. The scent of coconut is tightly bordered by the aroma of cinnamon and bergamot. Especially sweet shades are evident thanks to cloves and marzipan. Many people feel the pleasant aromas of Nivea creams. This is no coincidence, because cosmetologists actively use terpenes and essential oils to create a scent. Gewurztraminer (it depends on the harvest season) sometimes smells of mountain ash, dried fruits and even stock.
However, the scent is very individual and independent. Gewurztraminer does not seek to appear thin and delicate. Its charm lies in the aggressive, persistent nature of the fragrance, which either forever fascinates or causes dislike.
Such qualities and advantages are undoubtedly capricious: Gewürztraminer prefers careful, even pedantic care. The conditions under which the harvest will be worthy should be close to ideal. The Traminera vine begins to bloom in early spring, when severe, harmful frosts can still be expected.
The life cycle of this variety is very short; Traminer is practically unable to resist diseases. Gewürztraminer only lives up to expectations if he lives in a mild, gentle climate. If the habitat is too cold, the spice can be lost; in excessively hot places - acidity is destroyed and bitterness appears in the taste.
Therefore, only experienced, professional winemakers can deal with Gewurztraminer, who not only know how to handle Traminer, but also "respect" him, love their work and give themselves entirely.
We all know shots from films where an experienced sommelier holds a glass under his nose, closes his eyes and says something like: "I feel the sun of Naples, the winds of Sicily ...". This is exactly the case with Gewurztraminer: its quality, aroma and taste depend directly on the place in which the grapes grew and on how they are looked after. Use overripe Traminer and get the taste of second-rate nutmeg; Harvest unripe and a third-rate Riesling will be born.
The storage of the Gewürztraminer is also an important factor in influencing its aroma and taste. Winemakers, dealing with these grapes, never use oak barrels. Otherwise, the aroma balance may be disturbed.
Dry Gewurztraminer should be kept for no more than 5 years, but not less than three. At the same time, a later harvest requires 5 to 7 years of aging.
This wine reaches the apotheosis of its taste and aroma at a young age, it takes 3 years to pass and the aroma disappears. Love of winemakers, appropriate terroir, ideal climate are the main factors of success and a guarantee of the quality of wines made from Gewürztraminer.
The standard of Alsace
We have already mentioned that the second wind of the Gewürztraminer wines was found in Alsace. It is for this reason (the climate of Alsace is the most suitable) that the best Gewürztraminer is born here. The French call this variety Traminer Muske, Aromatika.
Besides the climate, there is another reason for the success of the Alsatian Traminers - the soil. The soils of Alsace are rich in clayey rocks, lime and many minerals. The Vosges Mountains completely save the crop from harsh winds. Winters are always mild here, and summer days are especially sunny. There are no overly rainy days.
When autumn turns out to be especially long and warm (and this happens quite often in Alsace), the mature Gewurztraminer becomes covered with a special noble film - mold, which concentrates sweet notes in itself. Alsace is classified according to its sweetness level as follows:
- Vandaj Tardiv wine (late harvest);
- wine Selección de Gran Noble (from a selected harvest of a moldy vine);
- Quintessence Gran Noble wine (a rare variety that surpasses the previous one in terms of main indicators).
The selecion is considered the sweetest of the types, it is a kind of benchmark for the German Auslese. Despite this, Gran Noble does not have the same acidity as German wine.
Each bottle of wine is characterized, first of all, by its manufacturer. Alsatian manufacturers always have unprecedented pride in their product, want to be the best and do not allow competitors to move forward a single step. Their motto is "Be the best, do the best."
Consider the very best wineries in Alsace, which create a wonderful wine from the spicy Traminer.
Vineyards Kludu Château Isenburg are considered the pearl of the Alsatian region. They are located on steep hillsides, taking the best of pink sandstones.
A few centuries ago, Alsatian monks grew here an extraordinary, best of its kind, grapes, now - here they make luxury wines - the famous Grand Cru.
The founder of the well-known "House of Alsace Wines" is Leon Beyer. The company passes on the management furrows on a “generation to generation” basis. Today "Dom" is run by a representative of the 13th generation. The excellent taste, aroma and incredible quality of products are noted even in the Sotheby's World Encyclopedia of Wines.
Also worth noting is René Mure, one of the oldest manufacturers of the Gewürztraminer, the history of manufacturing dates back to 1648.
Wolfberger is one of the discoverers of Alsace, uniting more than eight hundred families of Alsatian winemaking. Wolfberger never changes old and proven traditions, contains about 150,000 vineyards.
As you can see, the winemaking of Alsace is based on family values and traditions. Albert Boxler's vineyards are no exception, which stands for the exceptional naturalness of the product.
However, not all production of masterpieces is based only on antiquity and endurance of traditions. There are also new faces that successfully produce wine. For example, Chaoffit, a producer of the highest quality wines, has only recently conquered the Alsatian valleys.
Bott-Gale is a producer of particularly soft, oily wines with a sufficient level of acidity. Mark Tampa wine is special due to the special personality that permeates each bottle. The aromas of the famous Marcel Deiss wines can be called especially complex.
Today, it can be noted that young wineries are doing an excellent job with the competition of the oldest family farms. And this is great, because it means that the culture of winemaking is not only still alive, but also capable of starting many things all over again, going through the stages of formation from scratch. The young company Ostertag in just 3 years became a global importer, releasing one of the best varieties wines from the Alsatian region.
If we become interested in which Alsace winery supplies its masterpieces for the British Queen, then we no doubt know - the Weinbach winery. The name can be translated as "wine stream", but the scope of production is not comparable to the "stream", but rather to the "world ocean".
You can list the farms of Alsace for an infinitely long time, because it is here that a number of the most important indicators of climate and soil coincide, which is successfully used by famous winemakers.
Italian production of Traminer
However, Gewurztraminer is not born in Alsace alone. Spicy Traminers in their homeland, Italy, are called Traminer Rosa.
Despite the fact that the Italian Gewurztraminer is somewhat inferior to the Alsatian, there are fans of the Italian version. Here, in these parts, where the climate is significantly inferior, the strength of character, assertiveness, aggressiveness of Traminer decreases. The wine is lighter, slightly more acidic, less aromatic. From the moment of its first appearance, to the present day, almost half of all vineyards, unfortunately, have disappeared.
It should be noted that for those to whom Gewurztraminer seemed too aggressive, Italian version might be very good. Especially the Hofstatter winemakers should be given their due. It is here that the brightest specimens are produced. A positive feature of the Italian economy is that for each type of vineyard, you can choose special, most suitable, optimal, climatic features.
In order to produce wine with maximum productivity, small farms unite with each other. An example of such a cooperative complex is Colterenzio - a collection of about 300 winemakers, each of whom can boast of impeccable product quality. It is in the Colterenzio that the oldest Roman vineyard is located. And it is on our website that you can buy Pfefferer wine from Colterenzio
Cantina Terlano is a cooperative of more than 100 manufacturers of the Italian Gewürztraminer. A bright representative impeccable quality of soft spicy Traminers.
All Italian farms have one thing in common - winemakers are actively striving to make products of the highest quality. Italian work on wines from Gewürztraminer is a prime example of how to cope with difficulties.
A colossal contribution to the wines of all world famous companies is made by such small companies as Erste and Neu Kellerey. Both farms cannot present to wine lovers the widest possible range of Gewürztraminer, however, each bottle is marked with the DOC status. Every winery, even the smallest one, contributes to the development of harvesting throughout the country, while working to the maximum.
Wineries such as Tiefenbrunner are worth noting. These small corporate groups have gone even further - they are actively introducing the latest high-tech devices, actively updating and modernizing the industrial component.
Myths about Gewerztraminer
I would like to dispel two ingrained myths about the work of Italian winemakers, including those who are working on the Gewurztraminer.
Myth 1.
The basis of everything is a family cooperative. Despite the fact that it is believed that wine is mainly dealt with by family firms, passing on their knowledge and traditions from generation to generation. This is not entirely true. In addition to family-owned wine companies, in Italy abbeys are also engaged in winemaking - the real ones, which are located in monasteries. For example, the Abbey of Di Novachella (which began its existence in the distant 12th century) respects and literally guards its unshakable secrets of winemaking. Today the abbey has expanded the production of wine far beyond the monasteries, while receiving several recognition from the world community.
Myth 2.
Only men are engaged in winemaking. Through cinema and some books, we repeatedly receive information that only men are allowed to create wine masterpieces (remember Celentano's monologue: “Women should not be allowed to wine casks"). However, this is also a myth. Despite the fact that, indeed, the secrets of wine-making technologies mainly flow from generation to generation through the male line, women are also engaged in this activity and, it must be admitted, very successfully. Elena Walch received the official status of "Donnadel Vino", and Elisabetta Angelina became the head of the Caparzo estate, famous for its impeccable masterpieces, including the Gewürztraminers, thanks to which many call Elisabetta the goddess of winemaking.
Other countries creating Gewurztraminer
If you think that the only homeland of the spicy Traminer is Alsace and Italy, then you are deeply mistaken. The German Gewürztraminer is often referred to simply as “Gewürz”. German wines Roter Traminer or the famous Rotfrancke are all varieties of Gewurztraminer.
It is much sweeter than its Alsatian rivals, more saturated with aromas of flowers and fruits. The Germans make it a little more acidic than the French, but the wine is much brighter than that of the Italians. True connoisseurs note that the Gewürztraminer of Germany resembles a cross between Alsatian and Italian.
In Austria, the Gewurztraminer is also made, here it is sometimes called the yellow Gelber Traminer, but there are also red wines. Austrian varieties bring a special, sweetest taste to the wine.
Romanian winemakers make Gewürztraminer, calling it Ruza, in Switzerland - Heida, in the Czech Republic, Gewürztraminer is called Drumin, and in Slovakia - Ptink. Bulgarians make wines from Gewürztraminer, calling them Malaya Dinka, Hungarians - Ranfolitsa.
There are varieties of light and sweet versions that are intended to be consumed by young people. Such unique specimens have not taken root very well in Europe, here they still strongly insist on true wine, on the absence of compromises. But in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the United States, Chile and Argentina, the youth Gewürztraminer was a real success.
However, the generally accepted is the "French landmark" - the standards of the Alsatian Gewürztraminer are considered the most correct and not amenable to criticism. This is no coincidence, because such a harsh (in a good sense of the word) and persistent scent is a real work of art.
Harmony with food
As you know, the selection of the optimal harmonious combination of wine is a difficult process that requires precision and care. And when it comes to Gewürztraminer, the issue of food becomes even more serious. Approaching the Gewurztraminer without due caution, there is a risk not only to kill the taste of the wine, but also to spoil the impression of the dish.
When it comes to the Gewürztraminers of Alsace, they are ideal for onion pie, pates, seafood. The sweet varieties are delicious with Münster cheese.
The "powerful" taste of Gewurztraminer will not be lost with Chinese, mexican dishes with a strong taste.
If the Gewurztraminer is saturated with notes of fruits and flowers, then the wine is ideal with meat with pineapples or oranges.
Have you ever wondered how a name or title affects the perception of a character or object? With the Gewürztraminer wine variety, the dissonant name played a cruel joke. This difficult to pronounce word actually hides an exquisite and noble drink with a unique aroma, thanks to which this variety got its name. Indeed, translated from German, gewürztraminer means "spicy Traminer" or "fragrant Traminer", which in turn contains an indication of the progenitor variety. Despite the fact that sweet and semi-sweet wines temporarily went out of fashion and gave way to dry and semi-dry varieties, Gewurztraminer is still worthy of attention as a rare drink with a memorable taste.
Why try Gewürztraminer?
Why should every self-respecting wine lover try this variety with a terrifying name? There are several good reasons:
- Gewurztraminer belongs to the noble grape varieties, of which there are no more than eighteen in the world.
- A surprisingly low price for a wine of this quality - no more than $ 20 per bottle.
- It goes well with Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
- This is an unexpectedly rare grape variety - only 8000 hectares worldwide or 80 km², which is comparable to the area of a small town.
The Gewurztraminer is similar to the "adult" version of Muscat: a sharper aroma, more alcohol and less acidity. Such a drink cannot be drunk in one gulp, like sweet Muscat - it is customary to enjoy its complex taste for a long time, and it is not suitable for everyone. If you are ready for a wine that is not delicate, but rather even aggressively fragrant, you should like Gewurztraminer.
Wines from GewürztraminerGewurztraminer looks like an "adult" version of Muscat
The first thing you will feel when you pick up a glass of Gewurztraminer wine is the characteristic aroma of lychee fruit. If you have never tasted lychee before, both canned and fresh, which means that the most suitable description of this fragrance for you is the richly sweet scent of a rose. This aroma is so intense that it is possible to recognize the Gewürztraminer in a glass, even with closed eyes. If you drink a high quality drink, the original lychee scent will gradually unfold into a whole bunch of aromas: red grapefruit, rose petals, ginger and smoky notes, similar to the smell of burning incense.
Does Gewurztraminer always taste sweet?
Not always. However, due to the fact that Gewürztraminer has the same bright and rich aroma as sweet Muscat, Riesling and Torrontes, it often has a consistent sweetish aftertaste. The amount of residual sugar in this variety is only 1-2 grams per liter, which makes it a dry wine. But due to the pronounced aroma, higher alcohol content and lower acidity, most of the Gewürz products produced seem sweeter than they really are.
Key features
Fruit aromas (berries, fruits, citrus): lychee, grapefruit, pineapple, peach, apricot, orange, cantaloupe melon.
Other scents (herbs, spices, minerals, floral and earthy tones): rose, honey, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, incense, smoke.
Acidity: moderately low
Serving temperature: chilled to 6 ºC
Similar varieties: Muscat, Riesling, Torrontes (Argentina), Loureiro (Portugal), Malvasia Bianca (Italy).
Historically important regions
Gewurztraminer is one of four Grand Cru varieties traditionally cultivated in Alsace. The Alsatian Gewürztraminer of the highest quality is called Vendage Tardives (French for “late harvest”) - these are age-old dessert wines whose flavor bouquet contains mineral, smoky and spicy notes.
Origin of the Gewurztraminer variety
The homeland of Gewürztraminer is the slopes of the Alps. This pink grape is similar to Pinot Grigio, which also thrives in cool climates. Initially, Gewurztraminer grew only in Germany, but after a few centuries he moved to the Alps, including the territory of Italy, France, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia. According to another version, he came to Germany from Italy as a kind of Traminer variety, and found the Gewürz prefix on the spot.
What is it combined with?
Exotic dishes... Best of all, Gewurztraminer is not combined with traditional French cuisine... Much more this wine variety suits the cuisine of the Middle East or Morocco, where there is a combination of nuts and dried fruits unusual for Europe with meat dishes... Floral and ginger notes in the aroma of the wine will emphasize the taste of real ginger and rose water in the dishes.
 |
Exotic dishes... Gewurztraminer is best combined not with traditional French cuisine. This wine variety is much more suitable for the cuisine of the Middle East or Morocco, where there is a combination of nuts and dried fruits with meat dishes, which is unusual for Europe. Floral and ginger notes in the aroma of the wine will emphasize the taste of real ginger and rose water in the dishes. |
 |
Meat: duck, chicken, pork, bacon, shrimp and crab meat. |
 |
Herbs and spices - rich, harsh, aromatic: cayenne pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, turmeric, madras curry, Sichuan pepper, shallots, soy sauce, sesame seeds, almonds, rose water, limetta leaves (varieties of lime), bay leaf, coriander, cumin (cumin). |
 |
Cheese: soft cheeses from cow's milk without a pungent odor in combination with dried fruits. |
 |
Vegetables and vegetarian meals : stewed and baked vegetables, which initially have a slightly sweet taste - bell pepper, red onion, eggplant, zucchini, carrots, from exotic - coconut and tempeh (fermented soybeans). Also, Gewurztraminer goes well with artichokes, for dishes from which, as a rule, it is difficult to find the right wine. |
How to choose a Gewurztraminer?
In fact, Gewurztraminer is a rather rare wine. Each plantation of this variety accounts for 30 Cabernet Sauvignon plantations and 4 Riesling plantations. A cheap supermarket Gewurztraminer is a low quality dessert wine. Better to get it from a specialty store that sells good wines, or order online.
Gewurztraminer in the world
As mentioned above, the total plantation area is just over 8,000 hectares worldwide. For countries, this amount is distributed as follows.
Alsace ~ 2800 hectares
Alsace is the world's largest producer of Gewürztraminer wine. The wines from there are excellent in quality and have a less sweet taste. When choosing an Alsatian wine, look for the Grand Cru inscription on the bottle, a mark of the highest quality assigned to a specific vineyard. Pay attention to the Haut-Rhin inscription, "Haute Rhine" - this region is home to most of the Alsatian Grand Cru wineries.
USA ~ 1300 hectares
Back in the 60s, before sweet wines lost their popularity, Gewurztraminer grapes were grown throughout California. These plantations still exist: to enjoy more exquisite taste Californian Gewurztraminer, it is recommended to choose wine from cooler regions (Sonoma, Monterey) or from wineries located as high as possible above sea level. An example of value for money is Husch Vineyards, whose aged wines cost less than $ 20 a bottle.
The states of New York and Washington have great potential for growing Gewurztraminer grapes, since the cool climate makes the final product more acidic.
Other Regions
Italy - about 600 hectares... The Gewürztraminer vineyards cover about 10% of the Alto Adige wine region in northern Italy.
Presented in the store, is your head spinning? Stop this agony and trust in products that are guaranteed not to let you down! Gewürztraminer wine is an excellent example of alcoholic assemblages that are guaranteed to envelop their tasters in exquisite combinations in terms of taste and aroma.
These alcoholic products, created on the basis of the grape variety of the same name, will give you an unforgettable experience from every sip. Just one bottle of the signature blend will be enough for you to enjoy a romantic conversation or take a break from your hard working days.
Did you know? Translated from German, Gewurztraminer means "aromatic" or "spicy".
Gewurztraminer - wines that are created all over the world on the basis of the grape of the same name, recognized as one of the most interesting and aromatic. Alcoholic products made from this variety are recognizable even for sophisticated tasters. All thanks to the formed delicate gastronomic component and original aromatic nature.
Gewurztraminer products are often called Traminer wine, but this name is incorrect, since the grapes themselves are inherently derived from Traminer, which has a less vibrant and rich nature.
Colour
The visual performance is based on straw shades, which, depending on the representative of the line, can be complemented by delicate golden tints.
Scent
The basis of the aromatic component is a powerful perfumed combination. Each drink gives a real extravaganza of unique smells.
Taste
The gastronomic performance is based on an exotic palette dominated by lychee and nutty nuances with a heavy buttery base.
How to buy quality assemblage
When choosing a white Gewurztraminer wine in a store, try to be extremely careful, as counterfeit is rapidly taking over an increasing share of the alcoholic market. Today, counterfeit products can be found on almost any well-known trademark. To prevent this from happening and you really get to know this or that original representative of Gewürztraminer wine, we recommend that you pay attention to:
- Place of purchase... French, American, Spanish and —Italian wines are best purchased from specialized alcoholic beverages, where they can provide you with meaningful advice and quality certificates. You shouldn't look for premium liquor at a grocery store or, even worse, a stall.
- Excise stamp... Any foreign alcohol, going through customs clearance, receives an excise stamp. The absence of this element of protection should immediately make you think about the authenticity of the assembly being considered for purchase. Only stores in the free trade zone can supply foreign alcohol without excise duty.
- Consistency... All Gewurztraminer drinks are of impeccable clarity and clarity. Their structure should not contain impurities and other unpleasant moments. Having noticed these nuances, return the bottle to the shelf.
- Quality of design... Each manufacturer supplies their products to the market in containers with authentic anti-counterfeiting elements. That is, before buying a product you like, try to visit the official website of the manufacturer in advance and familiarize yourself with how the original packaging looks like. Also inspect the entire bottle for factory defects. On branded premium products, traces of glue, glass chips and various deformations should be absent.
How to serve correctly
The classic principle of tasting will help you get the most vivid impressions of acquaintance with wines based on Gewurztraminer. According to its generally accepted canons, representatives of aromatic assemblages, be it German or Spanish wine, are served in special tall glasses with a thin stem and a transparent structure. In such glasses, you can easily see the color of the poured product and study all the shades of its smell.
Temperature norms should also be taken into account. For white wine, the optimal indicator is 10-12 degrees. At this temperature, the product reveals its aromatic and gastronomic connections in the best way.
What products is combined with
To brighten up a tasting evening with products from Gewürztraminer, be sure to provide a decent gastronomic accompaniment. Drinks made from such aromatic grapes are suitable fresh fruits, cheese cuts, fish dishes and chicken. Also, these drinks are often combined with not too sweet desserts.
Did you know? In Bulgaria, Gewurztraminer grapes are often called Mala Dinka.
Other uses
So that you do not get bored quickly with the tasting of dry white or semi-dry Gewurztraminer wine, try to mix these products with various ingredients in the same way as well. In other words, create cocktails that will help you diversify your tried-and-true tasting experience.
Popular mix recipes include: Painting, Lafayette, Burgundy, Opera, Seduction, Royal Purple and Lillette.
What are the types of this drink
When exploring wines based on Gewürztraminer, you will come across the widest possible variety of products created by various renowned companies from all over the world. Each of them has a solid individual tasting performance. In particular, the most interesting representatives of the line of alcoholic beverages include:
- Wine Gewürztraminer Trimbach. White golden assemblage with a rich fruity aroma. In terms of taste, a combination of nutmeg, lychee and spicy undertones looms.
- Semi-dry white wine Schneider Gewurztraminer. Has a pleasant golden yellow color and fresh taste which the main role reserved for fruit shades. The fragrance contains a combination of rose petals and lychee.
- Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay. Dry white wine Gewurztraminer, showing an expressive golden color with a greenish tint. The aromatic characteristics are highlighted by a combination of oak vanilla and spicy notes, while the taste is thick and juicy citrus notes.
- Cantina Terlano Gewurztraminer Alto Adige DOC. Pale straw blend with floral-fruity aromas, dominated by honeysuckle, rose, lychee, carnation and mango. The gastronomic foundation looms with a piquant minerality, small sourish parts and a rounded persistent aftertaste.
Historical reference
Today Gewurztraminer wine is produced on all continents of our planet, and this is not surprising, because such exquisite alcoholic tastes and aromas that are obtained from the grapes of the same name cannot be ignored.
The entire name of the product has German roots, but in terms of the production of this wine, the French masters have seriously succeeded. This appellation of wine was officially recognized in 1973, and the actual homeland of the gewurztraminer grapes is the territory of the Tyrolean Alps. The first vineyards with such an exquisite variety of vines were planted near the village of Termeno, which is located in the Italian region of Alto Adige.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the cultivated vines of Gewürztraminer are called Drumin, Pinat Cervena or Livora.
A fragrance that has already charmed millions
Gewurztraminer wines are a collection of exotic drinks, each of which gives an unforgettable colorful aroma. Moreover, these are products of the highest quality, which today are created at alcoholic beverage plants in all corners of the world. That is, you can easily find among them your embodiment of the ideal dry or semi-dry white wine.
These drinks are great when mixed with various ingredients. On their basis, cocktails are created with a memorable charismatic presentation. Do not be lazy today to go to the nearest liquor store to buy an original drink based on the fruits of one of the most aromatic cultivated vines in your collection of wine assemblies.