Despite its misleading name, the Gewurztraminer is produced in South Tyrol, and is therefore Italian. His country of origin is Traminer (Termeno) in the province of Bolzano.

The vine

It is a medium-productive grape variety: it prefers marno-calcareous, clayey-sandy and granitic soils and sheltered exposures.

The name Gewurztraminer means “Spicy Traminer”. The leaf is small, pentagonal, five-lobed. The bunch is small, conical, winged, medium compact. The grape is medium-sized, elongated, with a thick, pruinose skin. It assumes an almost coppery color once it reaches the peak of its maturation. The pulp has the typical aromatic taste due to the rose. It is an intense straw yellow wine, characterized by golden reflections. The scent is delicate and aromatic. The taste is full and intense, you can see fruity and floral tones, with hints of spice.

Cultivation

The Gewürztraminer is grown espalier and the cultivation is quite complicated: in addition to being a rather “demanding” variety, which requires sheltered exposures, it is good to take into account also the climate of Northern Italy, especially during the harsh winter periods. The vinification involves a maturation in steel tanks for a few months and a subsequent refinement in the bottle, giving a final product of high quality, famous for being tastyly aromatic.

It goes perfectly with appetizers and appetizers but is also perfect to accompany fish dishes. It should be served fresh, in the white wine glass.

Origins

There are various theories about its origins. According to some scholars, it originates from the area of ​​Termeno, in the province of Bolzano, as its name suggests: Tramin is in fact the German translation of Termeno, while gewurz means spicy, fragrant. For other ampelographs instead comes from Alsace, while a third hypothesis would have it originally from the Rhine area. What is certain is that since the year 1000 it is bred in South Tyrol, especially in the Bassa Atesina, where clayey soils are found- calcareous and is today widespread in the hills of Bolzano, Merano, Val Venosta, along the territory around the Isarco and also widespread in the Trentino area, especially in Val di Cembra. The climate in these regions is influenced by the presence of the Alps to the north and the influence of the Mediterranean Sea to the south, which guarantee sunny days for most of the year and strong temperature variations, with harsh temperatures that cause the grapes to ripen slowly.

If you have not tried this wine yet, I invite you to do it now! Especially during this season!

Good day! Ilde