Gewurztraminer is
the most typical Alsatian
wine. Gewûrz
means "spicy"
in german. It is the main characteristic of Gewurztraminer.
Traminer means "coming from Tramin",
a small city in south Tyrol of Austria where the
grape is coming from. Gewurztraminer is the name
of a grape but also the name of the wine made from
the grape!
Gewurztraminer
was first grown in Alsace around the 19th century.
The grapes now cover roughly 20% of the vineyards
in the region. Gewurztraminer replaced a grape
called Klevener or Savagnin. Nowadays klevener
wines can only be found in the village of Heiligenstein
and around. Klevener is a dry white wine with
slight spicy flavor while less aromatic than
Gewurz, it sould be drunk young.
It is
obviously in Alsace where Gewurztraminer grapes
give the best results. The wine is delicious,
fruity and with strong aromas, a very perfumed
and flowery bouquet. Gewurztraminer is sweeter
than Riesling,
which is a dry wine.
Thick
and rich wine, which can age, Gewurztraminer
is better with sauerkraut, sausages and the Alsatian
cheese Munster, curry seasoned dishes, chinese
and mexican cooking and other spiced dishes.
A Gewurztraminer can even be served as a dessert
wine.
Gewurztraminer
is better when served at 10°C (50°F).
Gewurztraminer can last up to 10 years in their
best years.