Hainle Vineyards

INFORMATION SHEET

2003 GEWÜRZTRAMINER

International Silver medal winner in 2004 and 2005 at the North West wine summit  in Oregon, U.S.A.

This wine is a blend of 75% Gewürztraminer and 25% Traminer. Traminer is a very old variety (reputed to originate in the town of Tramin in the North of Italy),

 which is now quite rare, as it has been replaced by its more aromatic offspring, Gewürztraminer.  Traminer shares a similar fruitiness and spiciness with Gewürztraminer, but is usually more subtle, and a little earthier in its aromas.  There are very few wineries in BC which grow and produce Traminer in commercial quantities, whereas Gewürztraminer is grown fairly widely, and is well adapted to this northern climate.

The Traminer was grown in our Peachland vineyard; the Gewürztraminer was grown at Knollvine Vineyard near Okanagan Falls. Both vineyards are operated according to the Huber wine Purity laws; no pesticides, herbicides or mineral fertilizers are used.  The only spray applied is elemental sulphur to control powdery mildew, and occasional spot sprays of soap to control leafhoppers.  Hainle Vineyards’ cellar practices are also to internationally accepted organic food processing guidelines, keeping additives and winemaking procedures to a minimum.

The grapes for this vintage were harvested on October 11 and 14, 2003 at an average sugar content of 24.8% sugar (technically “late harvest” fruit).  The fruit spent 12 hours on the skins after crushing.  The wine was fully fermented to complete dryness (1 g/l residual sugar) in stainless steel tanks, and then spent about 9 months on the lees.  Acidity at bottling was 6.7 g/l and alcohol content is 12.6%.  200 cases were made

The wine has aromas suggesting tropical or soft fruit, with hints of nut.  It is full and quite soft in the mouth, although there is still sufficient acidity in the wine to give it backbone and structure.   It is drinking well now, but will hold in the cellar for at least another 10 years.  As this variety ages, beautifully rich nut character develops and the texture becomes more honeyed and oily on the palate.

Gewürztraminer is an excellent choice with mildly sweet/spicy dishes such as light curries, grilled seafood or poultry, dried fruits or with sweeter vegetables like yams, squash and carrots.  Try it with a creamy ginger/carrot soup or roasted pork tenderloin in a compote style sauce made with tamarind, dried apricots and figs.

This wine is sold only directly at the winery or on private tastings due to its limited quantity. It is priced on release day at $26.90 / 750 mL bottle.