Gewurztraminer — Alsace's Most Aromatic and Exotic White Wine

Gewurztraminer is unlike any other white wine in France. Instantly recognisable by its intense perfume and opulent texture, it is the variety that perhaps best expresses Alsace's unique character — a region caught between French and German cultures, producing wines with a personality entirely their own.

The Character of Gewurztraminer

The name itself hints at the wine's character: Gewürz means "spice" in German. This pink-skinned grape (unusual for a white wine variety) produces wines of:

→    Intense aromatics — rose water, lychee, mango, ginger, cinnamon, clove

→    Rich texture — full-bodied, almost oily, with low acidity and noticeable alcohol

→    Natural sweetness — even dry Gewurztraminer gives an impression of sweetness due to its aromatic intensity

→    Distinctive colour — deeper golden than most white wines, often with a pink or copper tint

Gewurztraminer and Food

Gewurztraminer's powerful aromatics and body make it one of the best partners for challenging food pairings:

→    Foie gras — the classic Alsatian pairing; Vendanges Tardives Gewurztraminer with pan-fried foie gras is one of France's great combinations

→    Asian cuisine — Thai green curry, Chinese duck, Vietnamese pho — the wine's spice notes create extraordinary harmony

→    Strong cheeses — Munster cheese, blue cheese, aged Comté

→    Spiced dishes — Moroccan tagines, Indian food, Middle Eastern cuisine

→    Smoked foods — smoked salmon, smoked duck

Dry vs. Sweet Gewurztraminer

Alsace produces Gewurztraminer across the sweetness spectrum:

→    Sec (dry) — still intensely aromatic but with no residual sugar; the best choice for food pairing

→    Vendanges Tardives (late harvest) — rich, off-dry to sweet; exceptional with foie gras and blue cheese

→    Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) — botrytised, intensely sweet; one of France's great dessert wines

Grand Cru Gewurztraminer

Several of Alsace's 51 Grand Crus are particularly suited to Gewurztraminer:

→    Goldert (Gueberschwihr) — produces delicate, floral Gewurztraminer of great elegance

→    Hengst (Wintzenheim) — powerful, structured wines that age magnificently

→    Sporen (Riquewihr) — clay-limestone producing rich, opulent Gewurztraminer