Gewurztraminer is an excellent and unique grape variety that is capable of producing some of the world’s greatest and most memorable Gewurztraminer wines. Gewurztraminer wines have inspired flavor comparisons to lychee, rosewater, honeysuckle, mango, papaya, coconut, apricot, peach, and Jamaican allspice. To say that Gewurztraminer wine is deeply flavored and complex would be one of wine’s biggest understatements.
Gewurztraminer wines are distinctive, an intense spicy bouquet. Gewurztraminer wines can be made in a range of styles from totally dry and crisp (most Alsatian bottlings) to slightly sweet and flabby (too many California bottlings) to luscious, honeyed sweet dessert wines (sort of like a late harvest Riesling but with complex spicy components).
Besides spice elements, Gewurztraminer wines can offer suggestions of various fruits, flowers and even nuts! No wine ends up tasting more like its initial grape flavors when freshly picked; thus few winemakers barrel-age Gewurztraminer wine or do anything in the cellar which would interfere with its delightful varietal character.
Gewurztraminer Wine Tip:
The dry versions of Gewurztraminer wines are refreshing complements to a wide variety of foods from pork and white meat dishes to onion quiche and various Asian cuisines.