General Description: Gewürztraminer is a white grape variety known for its highly aromatic and flavorful wines, characterized by strong notes of lychee, roses, and exotic spices. It thrives in cooler climates, with significant plantings in Alsace (France), Germany, Italy’s Alto Adige region, and parts of the New World, such as the United States and New Zealand. Gewürztraminer produces wines with a pronounced sweetness and high alcohol content, although dry styles are also common. The grape’s distinctive pink to red skin colour contributes to the wine’s deep golden hue and complex flavour profile.
Primary Flavours:
- Lychee
- Rose petal
- Ginger
- Tropical fruit
- Honey
Taste Profile:
- Sweet-Dry: Ranges from dry to sweet
- Body: Full body
- Tannins: N/A (as it is a white wine)
- Acidity: Low to medium
- ABV range: Typically between 14% to 15%
Handling: Gewürztraminer is best served well chilled, at about 6°C to 8°C, to balance its richness and accentuate its aromatic profile. While many Gewürztraminers are best enjoyed young to appreciate their vibrant aromatics, select late-harvest or vendange tardive styles can age gracefully, developing more complex and nuanced flavours over time.
Food Pairing Suggestions: The intense aromatics and flavour profile of Gewürztraminer make it a suitable match for spicy and aromatic dishes, such as Indian curries, Thai cuisine, and Moroccan tagines. Its sweetness and body can also complement rich, fatty meats like duck and foie gras. For cheese pairings, Gewürztraminer pairs well with strong, aromatic cheeses, such as Munster or Roquefort. Desserts that feature fruits, ginger, or honey can also benefit from the wine’s aromatic congruence.