Gewürztraminer, which means ‘spicy or perfumed traminer’ is a variety of wine grape grown in the coldest wine-growing areas of the world. Often referred to simply as Gewurtz, the grapes have a pink to red skin color that produces a white wine that is high in natural sugar. The style of wine made is usually dry, which emphasizes the flavor of exotic fruits.
The Gewurztraminer grape is grown in Alsace in France, as well as in Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and the US. The advantage of any vine grown at altitude is the long period of slow maturation that concentrates the sugars without losing much of the valuable acidity. This lengthy maturation process is what gives varieties like Gewurtz their uniqueness.
Like Riesling, Gewürztraminer is a difficult grape variety to grow. It buds early in the spring, making it vulnerable to frost damage, which in turn causes reduced yields (although desirable for quality), but can make wines more expensive. Harvesting at the right time is vital to capturing the fresh acidity and delicious flavors. If you get it wrong, you’ll miss out on the typical Gewurtz character of an extravagant bouquet of lychees, passion fruit and roses.
Hygiene during winemaking will ensure that some carbon dioxide bubbles from fermentation are captured, giving the wine a slight “trip” or fizz. This is highly desirable as it gives the wine an attractive, delicate citrus freshness that complements the spicy flavors of the food.
In Alsace, the traditional home of Gewürztraminer, rich foods like duck, roast goose, onion tart, and chicken liver pate are the perfect accompaniment to this aromatic wine. But it is with Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisine that Gewurtz has found some perfect combinations. The spices in these oriental foods are beautifully balanced by the aromas and low acidity of this wine, while the underlying sweetness of the fruit softens any sting.
Gewurtztraminer is truly the perfect wine to accompany Indian, Thai or Chinese meals. So if you haven’t tried it before, next time you have a curry, instead of washing it down with a beer or glass of water, pour yourself a glass of Gewurtz and see for yourself. You will be surprised by the balance and interplay of flavors.