May 4th, 2009
We are excited to announce the release of our very first Traminette!
This is a fragrant white wine that finishes dry while boasting aromas of lychee, white peach, citrus and honeysuckle that will soar from your glass. The finish of the 2008 Traminette is persistent and refreshing, pairing nicely with spicy dishes as well as shellfish, poultry, swiss and goat cheese. This style of Traminette being achieved by the Augusta Winery is similar to wines produced in the Alsace region of France.
The Traminette vine was created by cross breeding the Gewürztraminer and a hybrid grape vine. The grapes were harvested during the cool temperatures of night encouraging fresher and brighter flavors.
To settle the solids, the Traminette juice was kept at 40 degrees for 2 days. This clear juice was then pumped to another tank and a pure strain of yeast was added to begin a slow fermentation process at 55 degrees. As the wine neared dryness, the temperature was once again dropped to slow the action of the yeast and to allow it to fall to the bottom of the tank, leaving a small amount of natural sugar (.6% residual sugar or 6 gms per liter). This process of allowing the wine to age on the yeast tends to soften the taste of the wine.
The wine was then placed in French oak and held for one day. Wi ne, as it rests in the barrel, goes through subtle chemical changes. These gentle changes result in greater complexity and a softening of the harsh tannins and flavors present at the end of fermentation. Finally at it's peak, the wine was bottled at 11% alchohol and produced a very limited quantity of only 200 cases (minus the one bottle that the bottling crew immediately opened... savoring the fruits of their labor!)
Traminette is the direct descendant of the famous Gewürztraminer grape, normally grown in Germany and in the French region of Alsace. With Augusta's silt/loam soils uniquely covered in glacier dust and the long growing season in Missouri, our Estate vineyards are perfectly suited for producing a high quality Traminette wine. Enjoy!
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