Gewurztraminer - Taste, Styles, Best Wines (2024)
Want to know what’s special about Gewurztraminer before you buy this elegant white wine?
Pronounced “ga-vertz-trah-mee-ner,” Gewurztraminer is a white wine grape that thrives in the cooler climates of Germany, Northern Italy, the USA, and Northeast France.
Even though it is not as well known as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, this wine is affordable and is easy to pair with a variety of dishes.
What does this white wine taste like? How does Gewurztraminer compare to other dessert wines like Moscato? Is Gewurztraminer an age-worthy wine for the cellar?
In this article, we will tell all! We even found eight Great Gewurztraminer Wines for you to try out.
Further reading
- Ready to step into the world of wine investing? We have the Detailed Article To Learn Everything About Wine Investment for you!
- Dive into the Fascinating World of The Crisp Pinot Gris Wines.
A Quick Intro To Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer, which means “spiced Traminer” in German, is an aromatic white wine grape (like Riesling and Muscat) that thrives in cooler climates. It is a pink grape, just like Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio.
It is predominantly grown in Alsace (France), Italy, and the USA, apart from a few other regions.
In English, it is referred to as “Gewurz” (spice). In Germany, it is Gewürztraminer, and in France, it doesn’t have the umlaut. In South Tyrol (Northern Italy), it is known as Traminer.
Gewurztraminer is generally made with a gram or two of residual sugar. But because of the low acidity, higher alcohol levels, and aromas, many Gewurztraminer wines taste sweet.
This grape also produces a sweet or off dry wine with an array of aromas and flavors, which we’ll tell you about in a bit.
Read more: The most exotic Champagne bottles you’ve got to try in 2024!
A Brief Look Into The History Of Gewurztraminer
The history of this grape variety is a difficult one to decipher. Just one look at its name, and you would think it originated in Germany. However, since it was discovered, it has migrated to different wine regions.
If you look at its DNA, you will find that this grape varietal is likely to have originated from the Traminer grape, synonymous with Savagnin Blanc (not Sauvignon Blanc.) The Traminer grape gets its name from a town in Northern Italy called Tramin - a predominantly German-speaking area.
Somewhere in the grape’s history, Savagnin or Traminer mutated into the grape that we know today. Adding to this confusion are several crosses with the grape that has created largely unsuccessful varieties like Ortega and Wurzer.
There is some speculation that German Gewurztraminer vines aren’t Gewurz and were misidentified. This opinion comes from the fact that Gewurztraminer from Germany has fewer aromas compared to Alsatian Gewurztraminer.
The one thing that viticulture experts agree on is that Gewurztraminer originated from a German or largely German-populated area.
Fun Fact: Despite Gewürztraminer’s lack of international popularity, the Gewurztraminer grape is one of the 18 noble grapes alongside Riesling.
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Viticulture And Regions Of Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer is a fussy grape variety when it comes to soil and climate. Even though the vine is vigorous, it abhors chalky soils and is susceptible to disease.
Vineyard managers usually keep a close eye on Gewurztraminer vines - it buds early, ripens erratically, and is susceptible to frost. In hot climates, the grape loses its natural sweetness, and there is not enough acidity to balance the high level of sugar.
If the wine grapes are picked earlier to maintain the acidity, it means that the aromas of the varietal don’t develop as it should. The same aromas dilute in overcropping to counteract low yields.
Read more: Got red wine on your mind? We recommend you try these delectable Malbecs, exotic Chiantis, coveted Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, and these intense Barberas.
Let’s take a look at the main wine regions of this grape variety.
A. France
The Alsace region is the largest producer of Gewurztraminer in the world, and they produce several exceptional sweet and less-sweet wines. Styles range from very dry house-style (Trimbach) to very sweet. You’ll also find late harvest Gewürz, labeled as Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles (using grapes affected by noble rot.)
The natural sweetness of Gewurztraminer grapes helps produce delicious dessert wines.
For the finest Alsace Gewurztraminer bottles, look out for those from the Grand Crus and Haut Rhin (an area with loads of Grand Cru vineyards.)
B. United States
Gewurztraminer vines were planted throughout California during the 1960s. The best Gewurz wines from the US come from the cooler wine regions with high elevation vineyards like Sonoma, Anderson Valley, or Monterey. You’ll also find some great Gewurz wines from Oregon, Washington, and New York.
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C. Italy
Gewurztraminer is planted in small quantities in Alto Adige. But because of the difficulties in cultivating this grape, Italian winemakers prefer the aromatic grape Muscat (Moscato.)
D. Germany
Gewurztraminer from Germany is predominantly produced in a dry style to tone down the grape’s natural flamboyance.
E. Other Wine Regions
Gewurztraminer wine is also produced in other regions, including Austria, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Spain, and Eastern Europe.
How does this wine taste?
Taste And Characteristics Of Gewurztraminer Wine
When you open a bottle of Gewurztraminer wine, you will be greeted with complex aromas. It offers stunning notes of lychee fruit, apricot kernel, rose petals, grapefruit, and tropical fruits. Noble rot wines will also have dried fruits and honey notes.
Gewurz wines that are not from Alsace AOC or Alsace Grand Cru AOC are usually medium-bodied and either semi-sweet or off-dry. They still show typicity, spice, fruit flavors, and a bitter finish.
On the other hand, Gewurztraminer wines from a Grand Cru vineyard are full-bodied and have strong fruit notes, spice, and good acidity.
Gewürztraminer vs. Moscato
Moscato is a sweet white wine produced primarily in northeast Italy. It has a similar appearance and palate compared to Gewurztraminer.
Moscato has impactful fruit aromas and flavors, while Gewurz has its telltale lychee aroma. On the nose, Moscato exhibits honeysuckle, green grapes, ripe peach, and orange blossom notes.
The other significant difference between these two sweet white wines is the alcohol content and the fact that Moscato has bubbles!
Despite these differences, these wines can work as a substitute for one another at a casual brunch or party.
Fabulous Food Pairings with Gewürztraminer
Dry Gewurztraminer wines pair perfectly with Asian spicy foods and spicy dishes from Latin America, and North Africa. Dry Gewurztraminer also works as an excellent alternative for a silky red wine.
You can pair the sweeter wines with rich and flavorsome dishes like curry, tagine, lobster bisque, or Thai curry. You can also pair them with desserts, but the wine’s flavors work best when paired with cinnamon, dried nuts, and dried fruits.
8 Great Gewürztraminer Wines For You To Try
Here’s our pick of the best bottles you should get hold of - for gifting and for drinking.
1. 2005 Domaine Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France
This rare and exquisite Alsace wine has a fantastic pomegranate aroma, and hints of lychee, crushed mango, and Rosine’s graphite. After breathing for a bit, these aromas evolve into deep earthy tones. This Gewurztraminer wine has an explosive finish that wraps your palate up in intense lychee and fruity flavors.
Price of a 2005 Domaine Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France: $590
2. 2002 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France
This wine is amazingly fresh and lively, and even though it has a subtle sweetness to it - it is packed with flavor. The bouquet of rose and tropical fruit notes are encased in honey with a divine lingering finish.
Price of a 2002 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France: $345
3. 2007 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Mambourg Sélection de Grains Nobles, Alsace Grand Cru, France
This vendange tardive (French for late harvest) wine’s aroma opens in the glass with delicate tones of honey, dried apricots, rose petals, and citrus. This great wine has a creamy texture, hints of lychee, rose petals, and citrus.
Price of a 2007 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Mambourg Sélection de Grains Nobles, Alsace Grand Cru, France: $275
4. 2007 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace Grand Cru, France
This Gewurztraminer varietal wine from the Hengst winery has a delicate aroma of jasmine flowers, sweet spice, saffron, pepper, and ancient roses. The delicacy of the bouquet is almost misleading because the first sip is packed with intense aromatic flavors and sweetness.
Price of a 2007 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace Grand Cru, France: $238
5. 2013 Cantina Termeno - Kellerei Tramin 'Epokale' Gewurztraminer Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
This Gewurztraminer wine is aromatic with notes of honey, molten gold, meadow-hay flowers, grilled peaches, and lemon-drizzle cake. It has a silky feel on the palate, and the layers of flavor build through the sweetness.
This stunning complex wine has flavors of candied lemon peel, toffee apple, toasted brioche, crushed rose petal, dried sage, and walnut paste.
Price of a 2013 Cantina Termeno - Kellerei Tramin 'Epokale' Gewurztraminer Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy: $184
6. 2008 F E Trimbach Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles Hors Choix, Alsace, France
This vintage is the essence of dessert wine with its pineapple fruit and apricot notes, and crisp acidity. This exquisitely balanced wine has beautiful botrytis aromas and a fantastic finish.
Price of a 2008 F E Trimbach Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles Hors Choix, Alsace, France: $179
7. 2010 Hugel & Fils Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France
This 2020 Alsatian Gewurztraminer has terrific aromas of minty orange, dried apricot, grilled pineapple, marzipan, and marmalade. It is wonderfully creamy yet tangy on the palate. This wine has terrific botrytis notes, which adds another dimension of complexity with every sip.
Price of a 2010 Hugel & Fils Gewurztraminer Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France: $154
8. 2012 Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer 'Cuvee Anne' Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France
This wine has a pleasant and intense bouquet of banana, passion fruit, lychee, rose petals, and mango. You will experience a superb silky sensation on the palate, and this wine evolves into a refined liveliness with a long beautiful finish.
Price of a 2012 Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer 'Cuvee Anne' Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France: $128
Does Gewürztraminer Age Well?
Gewurztraminer wine is meant to be drunk in its youth. However, the more concentrated wines will age for five to seven years.
If you have a Gewurztraminer with a Grand Cru appellation, you can let it age for up to 10 years.
Most Gewurztraminer bottles are better off if you drink them early - but, there’s a world of other exceptional age-worthy wines out there that will gladly take a spot in your cellar and work well as a long-term investment!
Finding these wines can sometimes be confusing, risky, and can become expensive.
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Enjoy a Gewurztraminer While You Build a Wine Portfolio!
Gewurztraminer is a divine sweet wine that will pair with spicy food and desserts.
While it may not be an ideal long-term investment, there are plenty of other investment-grade wines that you could buy.
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