Sip Northwest, Spring 2016
y GRAPEz Gewürztraminer PRONUNCIATION geh VARTZ trah mee ner PRESUMED ORIGIN Northeastern France or Germany Gewürztraminer is one of the most aromatically expressive white wines in existence but its history is a bit of a mystery What is known is that it is a mutation of the Savagnin Rosé grape also known as Red Traminer Some say that the grape originated in Italys Alto Adige region however more up to date research points towards Northeastern France or Germany as the grapes place of origin Because of its slightly pink toned skin finished wine can range in color from light to slightly golden with a pinkish hue The fruit tends to attain high sugar levels which leads to higher levels of alcohol and is often made with a small amount of residual sugar for balance Gewürztraminer is weighted in heady scents and luscious substantial texture Common notes for the 52 S I P N O R T H W E S T C O M wine include rose petal honeysuckle lychee peach pineapple grapefruit honey cinnamon and ginger In short there is a whole lot going on in this glass of wine The grape is one of the unsung heroes of wine pairings Thanksgiving dinner is one of the places where Gewürztraminer can really show off as it matches perfectly with turkey as well as tangy cranberries and spiced and savory dishes like sweet potatoes Chris Dowsett winemaker and owner of DOWSETT FAMILY WINERY relocated from Portland to a 12 acre property in the Willamette Valley as a teenager According to him the site had the oldest Gewürztraminer vines in the valley and from there it didnt take long twothirds of he and his fathers first production of wine was made from the variety The rest is history they now produce nearly 300 cases of the wine per year His inspiration Covey Runs Celilo Vineyard Gewürztraminer It was a wine that always got a little bottle age before release and really showed me that a dry Gewürztraminer could age amazingly he adds Other producers in the greater Northwest that hone in on this variety are Sineann Tyee Ovum Analemma and Brooks in Oregon with Francis Tannahill in Washington and Tinhorn Creek in the Okanagan Valley RIGHT PHOTO BY AMY JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY
You must have JavaScript enabled to view digital editions.
