Gewurztraminer

Gewürztraminer is one of the  pungent wine varietals and is the most typical Alsatian wine. Gewurz is a german word which means spicy. This is the main characteristic of the Gewurztraminer wine. The word Traminer means "coming from Tramin", Tramin is a small city in south Tyrol of Austria where the grapes are grown. Gewurztraminer is not only the name of the  grape but also the wine which is made from the grape.

Gewürztraminer is a variety which has high sugar content and has an unusual pinky to red colour. This colour makes it look like a white wine. The aroma of Gewürztraminer resembles that of the lychees. While the French have achieved great success with this grape and though  its name is German, the history of Gewürztraminer began in the Tyrollean Alps in Italy, in the village of Termeno.
History
The history of growing the Gewürztraminer grape is complicated. Since the Middle Ages, the parent variety of Gewürztraminer has been grown in Italy. The traminer grapes have the ability to mutate more frequently as compared to other grapes. Mutation in the earlier centuries led to these grapes acquiring a pinkish-brown colour which made these grapes differnt and heavy from other grapes.
Due to the convoluted genetics happening in Italy, France and Germany many of the Traminer wines were being misnamed. Traminer grapes first grew in the 16th century from then they spread down the Rhine to Alscae where the word “Gewürz” was added to the wine name. The longer name, which is still used till today was first used in Alsace in 1870.The name change coincided with the arrival of the great phylloxera epidemic. In  1970s the name Traminer was discontinued in Alsace except in the Heiligenstein region.

Pronunciation
GA-VERTZ-TRAH-MEE-NER

Synonyms

• Fűszeres Tramini
• 
  Rotklaevner
• 
  Rousselet
• 
  Ruska
• 
  Ryvola
• 
  Sauvagnin
• 
  Savagnin Jaune
• 
  Savagnin Rose
• 
  Savagnin Rose Musque
• 
  Tramin Cerveny
• 
  Tramin Cerveny
• 
  Traminac Diseci
• 
  Traminac Sivi
• 
  Traminer Aromatico
• 
  Traminer Parfume
• 
  Tramini Piros
• 
  Tramini Piros
• 
  Drumin Ljbora
• 
  Haiden
• 
  Fourmenteau Rouge
• 
  Blanc Court

Viticulture
The traminer grapes are sensitive to the soil type and climate. It buds early in the Spring season. This tendency makes it susceptible to damage from frost. Thsese gapes are also weak  against viral infections. It is because of their nature that wine producers sometimes grow large clusters of such grapes which results in diluted quality of wine which has a less weight as compared to the healthier grapes.
The grapes with their thick and tough skin can attain high levels of sugar concentration. Thus sometimes in the dry varieties the alcohol level increases in the grapes.Low acidity and high pH levels are also some problem areas for the traminer grapes.
Close monitoring and precise time of harvest are also critical for the traminer grapes. Early picking retains the acid in the wine, but without their long "hang time" the distinctive varietal character fails to develop which disturbs the taste in the wine. Places with warmer climates are not favourable to grow Gewürztraminer. In some viticultural stations work is underway to develope clones that bud and ripen later, produce larger fruit clusters, which are more consistent,are virus-free and produce great levels of wine.
Gewürztraminer is quite full-bodied unlike other white wine varieties. The traminer wine has a slight tendency to become bitter  due to its early ripeness. Thus, a light touch is needed at the wine press. Many makers finish their Gewürztraminer with a mask of residual sugar.

Food Pairing
The traminer wines pair well with Asian dishes or zesty-flavored dishes like chicken wings. The flavor and aromas often include rose, citrus, spice and mineral. Gewurztraminer is better with  sausages and the Alsatian cheese Munster. Curry dishes, chinese and mexican cooking and other spicy dishes also go well with the wine. Gewurztraminer tastes best when served at 10°C (50°F). It can last up to 10 years f kept in their best condition.

Regions

France
Gewürztraminer is the second most planted grape variety and one of the most characteristic regions in the Alscae regions.. It grows better in the southern region of France. The wines have different styles. Their styles range from the dry Trimbach house style to the sweet ones. The variety's due to their high natural sugar content have become popular for making dessert wine.

Germany
Though the wine has its name from Germany, the style and taste of wine is different than the ones grown in France. The wines are dry and subdue the natural flamboyance of the traminer grape.
Israel
Althoughthe wine is not native to the Israeli climate, growing Gewürztraminer grapes started becoming a trend in the late 90s and in the beginning of 2000s. It is grown in different areas all over Israel. The most notable example is the Golan Heights .In this regions wines of all kinds are produced, from dry aromatic ones to the very sweet and concentrated ones.