United States of Wine

South Shore Wine Company – Traminette – 2021

Price: $16.95; Pennsylvania Libations, Philadelphia, PA

I had been previously unaware of the wine-growing region around Erie, Pennsylvania, so I was surprised to find this Traminette during a recent trip to Philly.

Traminette is similar to a Gewürztraminer in that it’s semi-dry, but has a more floral bouquet with some spice. And as you can see in the image above, the pale golden color of wine was shining through the bottle in direct sunlight.

I immediately smelled pear, tart apple and sea salt as I poured the wine. The more I sniffed my glass, the slight scent of butter came through, as did the smell of beef being grilled on a propane tank.

And though I did taste golden apple and pear in this Traminette, there was also the flavor of flowers in sunshine and fresh dew.

This Traminette is medium-bodied and acidic. I found it to be a little dry and a little tart. Though I found it nowhere near as tart as my drinking partner did, who found it overwhelmingly so and could not drink more than one glass.

As the wine started to reach just above a room temperature, the floral scent grew stronger. The taste became more profound, as if one took a bite out of a fresh-plucked rose from the garden while sucking on a wet stone.

Though that description may sound odd, it made for a beautiful wine. Hardy, refreshing and flavorful. Erie definitely has a place in the Pennsylvania wine culture, and I’d recommend trying this wine.

Score: 8/10