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One of the so-called international varietals, Gewürztraminer is a white wine grape, grown mostly in Alsace region of France, as well as Germany, New Zealand and the United States.
It is one of the most pungent wine varietals, easy to recognize by its heady, aromatic scent.
Gewürztraminer reaches its finest expression in the French region of Alsace, where it is the second most planted grape variety. Styles range from the very dry to the very sweet. The variety's high natural sugar means that it is popular for making dessert wine, both "noble" rot-affected vendange tardive and sélection de grains nobles.
edit Aromas
The dark pink color of Gewürztraminer grapes results in wines colored from light to dark golden yellow with a copper tone, depending upon the fruit ripeness. Gewürztraminer gives more full-bodied wines than most other white varietals.
Gewürztraminer wines are an excellent match for fresh fruit and cheeses and a good complement to many simple fish and chicken dishes, especially recipes that include spices.
edit Regions
While the French have achieved the greatest success with this grape and its name is German, the history of Gewürztraminer began in Italy's Tyrollean Alps, in Alto Adige.
Since the Middle Ages, the parent variety Traminer has grown there. Traminer vines do have a propensity to mutate, and one of these mutations, a few centuries ago, resulted in a vine that produces dark pink-brown, spotted berries and makes very distinctive and heady wine. In the late 19th century, the Alsatians began calling this vine Gewürztraminer, although it wasn't until 1973 that this name was officially sanctioned.
Today, Gewürztraminer is most commonly grown in the Alsace region of France, in Germany, New Zealand, and the United States.
In Europe the grape is also grown in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Moravia, and Slovakia.
In the New World, the grape is most successful in New Zealand and in the far South of Chile. It is also planted in Australia, Canada, and the American States of California, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.
edit Viticulture
Gewürztraminer buds early in the Spring, so it is particularly susceptible to damage from frost. Gewürztraminer also has weak defenses against viral vine infections. Even healthy vines are not very productive, with small clusters.
The berries, with their thick and tough skins, can attain high sugar levels of amazing concentration. Alcohol levels, therefore, can get quite high in dry versions. Conversely, low acidity and high pH in Gewürztraminer are problematic. Close monitoring and precise harvest timing are critical. Pleasant results are nearly impossible in warm climates.
edit Other names
- Noirer Traminer
- Gelber Traminer
- Auvernas Rouge
- Blanc Brun
- Blanc Court
- Bon Blanc
- Christkindeltraube
- Christkindlestraube
- Clevener
- Clevner
- Crevena Ruziva
- Crovena Ruzica
- Diseci Traminer
- Dreimaenner
- Dreimannen
- Dreipfennigholz
- Drumin
- Drumin Ljbora
- Duret Rouge
- Edeltraube
- Fermentin Rouge
- Fleischroth
- Fleischweiner
- Formentin Rouge
- Fourmenteau Rouge
- Frencher
- Fromente
- Fromenteau
- Fűszeres
- Fűszeres Tramini
- Gentil Rose Aromatique
- Gentil Duret Rouge
- Gentil Blanc
- Gewuerztraminer
- Gringet
- Gris Rouge
- Haiden
- Kirmizi Traminer
- Klaebinger
- Klaevner
- Kleinbraun
- Kleinwiener
- Livora
- Livora Cervena
- Mala Dinka
- Marzimmer
- Mirisavi Traminac
- Nature
- Nature Rose
- Noble Rose
- Nuernberger Rot
- Pinat Cervena
- Piros Tramini
- Plant Paien
- Princ Cerveny
- Princt Cervena
- Princt Cerveny
- Ranfoliza
- Rosentraminer
- Rotclevner
- Rotedel
- Roter Nuerberger
- Roter Nuernberger
- Roter Traminer
- Rotfranken
- Rothklauser
- Rothweiner
- Rothwiener
- Rotklaevler
- Rotklaevner
- Rotklevner
- Rousselet
- Runziva
- Rusa
- Ruska
- Ryvola
- Salvagnin
- Sauvagnin
- Savagnin
- Savagnin Jaune
- Savagnin Rosa Aromatique
- Savagnin Rose
- Savagnin Rose Aromatique
- Savagnin Rose Musqué
- St. Klauser
- Termeno Aromatico
- Tramin Cerveny
- Tramin Korenny
- Traminac Crveni
- Traminac Diseci
- Traminac Mirisavi
- Traminac Mirisavi Crveni
- Traminac Sivi
- Traminec
- Traminer
- Traminer Aromatico
- Traminer Épicé
- Traminer Musqué
- Traminer Parfumé
- Traminer Rosa
- Traminer Rosé Aromatique
- Traminer Rot
- Traminer Rozovyi
- Tramini Piros
- Trammener
- Fűszeres Tramini
