Gewürztraminer Wine
IN THE BOTTLE
Our Gewürztraminer comes from San Bernabe, a region in California's Central Coast. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean's cool breezes allows the grapes to ripen fully while retaining acidity. Very fragrant with aromas of lychee, melon, grapefruit, rose petals, and white flowers. Medium bodied with hints of nutmeg and a long-lasting finish.
CLASSIC FLAVOR PROFILES OF VARIETAL
When ripe, Gewürztraminer is very floral with tropical fruit flavors, often described as roses and lychee respectively. Gewürztraminer typically has an extraordinarily rich texture, and the best examples will show a hint of spice. Normally spice would be a note associated with oak usage, but this spice note is more like candied ginger, which can be created by an organism called botrytis. When botrytis affects ripe grapes that are ready to harvest, it adds aromas of ginger, honey, and beeswax, adding complexity to the wine.
VARIETAL FACTS
Gewürztraminer is a pink skinned mutation of the French grape Savagnin. It originated in Germany but can now be found growing in wine regions near the European Alps. In northern Italy you will find some of the finest examples of dry Gewürztraminer in the region of Alto-Adige, a German speaking province that borders Austria.
HISTORY
Legend says that Gewürztraminer comes from the Tramin region of the Alto-Adige, and the name supports that theory. In German, "gewürz" means spice and so the name seems to be "Tramin spice." However, modern DNA evidence disproves this theory: the parent grape of Gewürztraminer is the French grape Savagnin, but in Germany Savagnin is called Traminer! Given that Gewürztraminer is extremely aromatic and has spicy aromas, it makes more sense that Gewürztraminer instead means "spicy Savagnin."
DID YOU KNOW?
In Alsace, wines are bottled in a tall, slim bottle called a flute. In keeping with that tradition, all of our wines that have connections to Alsace (Riesling, Moscato, Gewürztraminer) are put into an Alsatian-style bottles.
IF YOU LIKE THIS WINE, TRY:
Moscato, Riesling
Standard Bottle 750 ml
Please note: An adult signature is required for the final delivery of any wine shipment.