Traminer

Pronounced: trah-meen-ah

History: Gewurztraminer is best known for its wines from Alsace in North eastern France, but it is widely planted in other French wine regions and throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Gewurtztraminer is this variety's full name but it is more commonly called Traminer in Australia

Description: Traminer is an aromatic wine and one of the more memorable varieties with its pungent floral fragrances. Though not necessarily sweet it often has spicy overtones. Traminer has some pinkish and purple colour in the grapes, however the wines are white. Traminer is straw to light gold in colour with a sparkle finish. In Australia Traminer is often blended with Riesling to produce a popular Traminer-Riesling wine

Taste/Aromas: German and domestic Gewürztraminer tend to be sweet while those of Alsace, France tend to be dry. Typically deep in color, full bodied, rich, with moderate acidity. Fragrant with rose and lychee, and flavors of spice, fruit, cinnamon, and honey. Intense floral scents of violets, rose, lavender and perfume are common and may well be overpowering to some. Lychee, lime, passionfruit and tropical notes will show through in warmer climates. This variety has a crisp acid finish and presents very clean to the palate.

Regions: South Australia

Cellaring: An early drinking wine with a crisp acid finish. Some may benefit from 2-4 years of ageing. Rarely age well past 5 years.

Food: Curry, spicy Asian foods, and oriental cuisine. At it's best when served with dessert.