Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer is a pink-skinned wine grape variety used to make aromatic white wines.

Gewürztraminer is a pink-skinned wine grape variety used primarily to produce highly aromatic white wines. The grape is most famously associated with Alsace, France, but it is also cultivated in Germany, northern Italy, and cooler regions of the United States. It is known for its distinctive floral and spicy aromas, often featuring notes of lychee, rose, and ginger.

Origin and naming

Gewürztraminer is part of the Traminer or Savagnin family and is commonly described as a pink-skinned mutation of Savagnin. Its name combines the German word for spice, 'Gewürz,' with 'Traminer,' referring to Tramin (Termeno) in Alto Adige, Italy.

Growing regions

The grape is most closely associated with Alsace, France, where it produces many of its best-known wines. It is also planted in Germany, northern Italy, and selected cooler New World regions such as New York, California, and Washington. In Canada, Gewürztraminer is encountered in colder-climate wine regions and is a common import from Alsace, Germany, and northern Italy.

Wine style and flavour

Gewürztraminer typically produces full-bodied wines with relatively high alcohol and low acidity. Common flavour and aroma descriptors include rose, lychee, ginger, honey, orange peel, grapefruit, and peach.

Styles and sweetness levels

Winemakers produce Gewürztraminer in a range of styles, from dry to off-dry to sweet. Late-harvest and botrytized (noble rot) versions are also made in some regions, allowing for a variety of sweetness levels.