Fenn Valley Vineyards

Traminette heritage stems from a Gewurztraminer x Joannes Seyve 23-416 cross in Geneva, New York. It was released for planting in 1996 and has been embraced by growers not only in Michigan but Pennsylvania and New York. Because these growing regions can suffer from vine-disease-provoking high humidity in summer months, Traminette's resistance to powdery mildew, black rot and botrytis is a boon.

Spicy like Gewurztraminer but without that grape's sometimes bitter edge, Fenn Valley’s 2005 Traminette highlights aromas of lychee and honeysuckle. Lychee flavors along with bright white peach and apricot characters dominate the palate. In this off-dry style, Traminette is a perfect match with Asian stir-fry, dumplings, or cashew chicken in lettuce wraps.

Since Traminette does not seem to develop bitter flavors in cooler climates as it does in warmer ones, it's a dynamite wine for the Fennville AVA and more northern sectors of the Lake Michigan Shore AVA.

Using Fenn Valley’s Tasting Room visitors for a consumer preference poll, here's what we learned. Since Fenn Valley makes both Gewurztraminer and Traminette, tasters are offered a side-by-side tasting. Consumer preference is Traminette.

Reviewed February 28, 2007 by Eleanor & Ray Heald.