Gewürztraminer
The centuries-old grape variety is capable of producing fine wines even in difficult years due to low yields.
Place value
In Rheinhessen, 225 ha* (1%) are currently planted with Gewürztraminer. This figure has remained relatively constant in recent decades. This can be seen from the fact that – when a vineyard with Gewürztraminer grapes is uprooted – another vineyard with this grape variety is always replanted. This is also the case in Harxheim: in 2001, 1.2 ha* (1.5%) were planted with Gewürztraminer, in 2021 1.3 ha* (1.6%).
History
The origin of the Gewürztraminer is not clear beyond doubt. It probably originated in southeastern Europe, possibly also in Egypt. The eponym could be the wine village of Tramin in South Tyrol. What is certain, however, is that the South Tyrolean already in the 15th century supplied wines from this grape variety as mass wine to the monasteries there. Old documents prove that in Germany already in the 16th century the cultivation of Gewürztraminer was recommended. In the Palatinate region, there is still a 400-year-old vineyard planted with Gewürztraminer vines. If we compare the yields of this grape variety over several years, we find that, on average, less than the maximum permitted yield is achieved. The low yields indicate that Gewürztraminer is a very high quality grape variety.
Vinification
The berries of Gewürztraminer have a yellow to reddish color and belong to the white wine varieties. It has a very thick berry skin. Wines from the Gewürztraminer grape have a relatively mild acidity. The grape is capable of achieving high must weights even in difficult vintages. Gewürztraminer wines have a straw to golden yellow color. Depending on how they are aged, they are characterized by a subtle to broad fragrance that reminds the connoisseur of roses in bloom.
Pleasure
In Gewürztraminer there are scents of bitter orange, passion fruit, quince jelly, honey, marzipan to lychee. The Gewürztraminer is a versatile food companion, if it is dry or semi-dry, to poultry with spicy sauces and ragouts, but also to game pies or snails. Noble sweet wines are very popular as aperitifs and are often served with chocolate or marzipan desserts. Wine connoisseurs also like to drink Gewürztraminer with a high-fat blue cheese or Munster cheese.
German Wine Institute, White Grape Varieties, 2023 Gewürztraminer, https://www.deutscheweine.de/wissen/rebsorten/weisse-rebsorten/gewuerztraminer/
Wikipedia Gewürztraminer 2023, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gewüztraminer
Rheinhessenwein e. V. 2023 White grape varieties Gewürztraminer https://www.rheinhessen.de/gewuerztraminer
