The Traminer varietal is an ancient white grape variety that originates from the village of Tramin in northern Italy. This grape can produce wines that range from bone-dry to incredibly sweet.
It is often characterized by its very aromatic nature, usually producing wines that are heavy in floral, fruit, and often, spicy notes. Common flavours detected in Traminer wine include rose petals, passionfruit, apricot, peach, lychee, honey, ginger, and cinnamon.
Traminer wines tend to have high acidity and low to medium alcohol content. Most versions of the Traminer wines are made to be enjoyed while they are young and fresh, but the more substantial versions, specifically those which are late-harvested and fully ripe, are known to age beautifully, often for a decade or more.
It is not a very common grape variety but it is mainly cultivated in Northern Italy, Germany, France, especially in the region of Alsace where it is known as Gewürztraminer, a more intense and aromatic variant of Traminer.