Origin of the Gewürztraminer

Traminer or Gewürztraminer is one of the four aromatic wines par excellence, together with Brachetto and the Moscati and Malvasia families. The very name of Gewürztraminer testifies to its aromatic opulence, in fact the word "Gewürz" in German means "spice", one of the most present and appreciated components of this rich white wine. This variety is typical of Trentino-Alto Adige, a region that contends for its origin with France, Alsace, and Germany. According to some researches this white berried grape would have been exported from Germany, precisely from the village of Tramin near Laudau, while the South Tyroleans claim that the vine was probably born in another village bearing the same name as the German one, Tramin (or Termeno in Italian). It is therefore not clear whether the vine and the name of the country are derived from Germany or, on the contrary, whether the story went exactly the opposite.

Production areas: differences between Gewürztraminer trentino and alsace

Among the smallest wine regions, with just 5,400 hectares of vineyards, South Tyrol cultivates about 380 hectares of Gewürztraminer, corresponding to 8% of total production. In this region there are 7 sub-areas, in which different DOC are produced: South Tyrol Merano, South Tyrol Val Venosta, South Tyrol Valle Isarco, South Tyrol Bolzano, South Tyrol Oltradige and South Tyrol Bassa Atesina. Gewürztraminer is cultivated in Termeno, but also in the lower Atesina, such as the Valle Isarco and the Val Venosta, near Merano. This vine is also found in other parts of Italy, in Trentino in the DOC Trentino Traminer Aromatico and in Friuli-Venezia Giulia for a total of about 600 hectares. Originally Gewürztraminer is a white vine from Alsace, a wine region of France with a long history in the production of high quality wines. Alsatian Gewürztraminer wines are usually full-bodied and rich, with a pleasing sweetness that can vary from dry to sweet, depending on the style produced. Their balanced acidity helps to keep them fresh despite their aromatic intensity. Alsace is renowned for its production of high quality Gewürztraminer and the grape has gained an international reputation as one of the most aromatic and distinctive white wines in the world, representing an important expression of the wine richness of the region.

Gewürztraminer: organoleptic characteristics

Gewürztraminer is among the most complex aromatic wines of the wine scene, often marked by a bright golden yellow color, Gewürztraminer is characterized by a bouquet that turns from tropical fruit to spices. Each wine can be unique, but in the aromatic kit you can be enchanted by the clear aromas of papaya, mango, pineapple, together with quince, which chase pleasant puffs of white pepper, vanilla and aromatic herbs. True cornucopia of abundance, Gewürztraminer good express the same notes also in the mouth, accompanied by a soft structure, supported by the alcoholic part, with a savory finish and good freshness. The late harvest version is marked in the mouth by sweetness rebalanced by freshness.

Pairings with the Gewürztraminer

A wine with these characteristics wants equally intense dishes, such as oriental cuisine, such as sushi or chicken curry, or dishes of good structure and complexity. Any suggestions? Try the Gewürztraminer with foie gras, one of the best pairings ever, or with the tortelli alla mantovana (stuffed with pumpkin, mustard and nutmeg) seasoned with an intense roquefort sauce. Finally, there are Gewürztraminers from late harvest, which can marry beautifully with desserts, such as a rich Neapolitan pastiera or apple strudel. The same version goes very well with blue cheeses, such as natural gorgonzola or stilton, an English hard cheese.