Traminer is a white wine grape variety with a distinctive floral aroma and a range of flavour profiles. It's most often referred to as Savagnin.
Traminer grapes have a green-gold hue and a produce wines whose taste can range from dry and mineral, to sweet and honeyed, depending on the region and style of production.
Traminer is widely spread in Europe, with production in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland. It is also grown in other parts of the world, such as in the US, Australia, and South Africa. Traminer grapes are highly sensitive to frost, so growers must choose sites with good airflow and protection from cold. The grapes have thick skins, which help preserve their concentration of sugar and aroma. Winemakers usually ferment Traminer in stainless steel tanks, which helps retain the grape's freshness and complexity. Traminer wines differ significantly based on the region of production. In Germany, Traminer wines are usually dry and full-bodied. In Austria, the wines tend to be sweet and light-bodied. In France, the wines are medium-bodied and often have a floral bouquet. Particularly in the Jura region, where the grape is called Savagnin, the wine is made in an oxidative style with characteristic nutty aroma and yellow colour, called Vin Jaune. The dryness and minerality of Traminer make it a great accompaniment to fish and seafood.
Traminer is named after the village of Tramin in Alto Adige, Italy, where it is believed to have originated.