Heiss Traminer Ice Wine 2002
Sunday, July 15, 2007
“The Traminer grape is in general a very aromatic variety which through the defrosting process in production of Ice Wine is getting even more interesting. This has a hint of mushrooms, bread, and the typical Traminer rosewood aromas. Very soft, very dense on the palate; almost oily. In its finish it has beautiful aromas, acidity, and harmony. A wine is called Eiswein [Ice Wine] when it has been harvested at -7 Celsius or lower. There are only 2 days a year you can properly harvest Eiswein. It is very important to do this on a cold day so that the wine will take on more taste and be more interesting. Also so that it won’t ferment. That’s why it must be cold.” -Vintner Franz Heiss.
Traminer:
The Traminer developed from crosses of wild grape varieties. The most closely related grape is Vitis silvestris Gmelin. Recent genetic research indicates that the Traminer grape, in the past one of the most important Austrian varietals, is one of the oldest of all grapes and ancestor of numerous others which are usually thought of more highly by wine lovers. The Traminer grape has been known since the Middle Ages, but mutates easily and emerged as the Gewürztraminer in France in the 19th century.
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So now you have the background on this amazing wine and I won't have to bore you with technical data. If you have never had an ice wine you are missing out on the of the best wines in the world. The ice wine we opened last nite was the Heiss Traminer 2002, an Austrian bottle which can be found for about $35-$40. They come in 375ml, but on the other hand you tend not to drink too much and we still have half a bottle. It was golden in color, thick and sweet with hints of apricot, honey and a bit of spice. If you are familiar with Sauternes a botrytised wine from France then an ice wine won't be too foreign. Both have some of the same characteristics but still have distinct flavors due to the different grapes used in the process.
http://www.winemonger.com/catalog/product_more_info.php?products_id=435
Posted by mardenhill 7/15/2007 11:19:00 AM
Labels: Wine
