Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer is floral, flashy, and unafraid to be noticed. It smells like a bouquet and tastes like spice, and while it might seem sweet at first, it’s a lot more complex than people give it credit for.

Gewürztraminer is Floral, Spicy, and Silky. If you like Viognier, Chardonnay, or Riesling, you may enjoy Gewürztraminer for its similar profile.

Flavors

Peach gummies

Tangarine slices

Gingersnap cookie

honey

The smell of floral soap

Imagine walking into a tropical garden right after it rains. It's fragrant, humid, and just a little spicy.

Gewürztraminer is one of the most distinctive whites out there. Gewürztraminer explodes with lychee, rose petals, ginger, and tropical fruit, often so aromatic it feels more like perfume than wine. Unlike a crisp Pinot Grigio or a zesty Sauvignon Blanc, this wine leans heavy into flowers and spice, which can trick your brain into thinking it’s sweet even when it’s bone dry. It’s a true love-it-or-hate-it kind of wine, but when you’re in the “love it” camp, nothing else quite compares.

Acid

Gewürztraminer is aromatic and lush, but lower acidity makes it feel round and slightly off-dry.

Tannin

Gewürz feels oily or silky but has no tannic structure, landing squarely in satin-sheet territory.

Alcohol

Gewürztraminer sits between 12–14%. In cooler U.S. climates like Michigan or New York, alcohol stays moderate while warmer regions can push higher. Its perfumed aromatics tend to emphasize alcohol rather than disguise it so it rarely drinks sneaky.

Serving Temp

45–50°F (chilled but not icy)

Chill for 1.5–2 hours in the fridge, then let the bottle sit for 5–10 minutes before pouring to open up aromatics.

Food Pairing

Takeout: Thai green curry

Snack: Dried apricots and spiced nuts

From the Fridge: Leftover spicy Szechuan noodles

Elevated Pairing: Thai lobster curry with coconut cream

Where you'll find it

Gewürztraminer originated in Alsace, France, where it's known for intensely aromatic, low-acid whites, often with a hint of sweetness and a ton of perfume.

New York (Finger Lakes)

One of its best U.S. expressions: floral, fresh, and lightly off-dry

Michigan

Cool-climate Gewürz that balances perfume and acidity.

Oregon (especially Umpqua & Rogue Valleys)

Lush and expressive with tropical character

Washington

Usually drier and more restrained with stone fruit and spice.

Ohio

Increasingly planted. It's aromatic and well-suited to colder climates.

The Last Drop

“Gewürz” means “spice” in German, and this grape lives up to the name. Its rose-and-ginger aroma can smell sweet even when the wine isn’t.