Gewurztraminer Wine: A Symphony of Spice and Aroma

Gewurztraminer wine is a truly unique and aromatic white wine, celebrated for its floral notes, tropical fruit aromas, and spicy undertones. Gewurztraminer comes from a pink-coloured grape that grows in many regions but thrives in the Alsace region of France. The grape’s distinctive pink hue and high natural sugar content contribute to both dry styles and sweet styles.

About Alsace, France

Alsace is a historical region in northeastern France on the Rhine River plain. Sheltered from Atlantic rains by the Vosges mountains, Gewurztraminer vines thrive under an exceptional 1,800+ hours of sunshine annually.

Gewurztraminer is to Alsace what maple syrup is to Canada. According to estimates, 95% of all Gewurztraminer vines in the world are in Alsace. This allows winemakers to produce a range of styles, from dry to off-dry wines, ideal for pairing with international cuisine. Gewurz is a German word that means spice, which is a characteristic of the grape and wines.

Finding Gewurztraminer Wines Around the World

Gewurztraminer grapes flourish in wine regions worldwide, but some of the most renowned locations include:

–Alsace, France: Home to the Grand Cru vineyards and the best examples of Gewurztraminer producers, like Domaine Zind-Humbrecht.

–Northern Italy: The Alto Adige region of Italy produces crisp and vibrant versions of this wine.

–British Columbia: The Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island craft excellent Gewurztraminer wines in Canada.

–Niagara Peninsula: Another Canadian hotspot for expressive Gewurztraminer wines.

–United States: Gewurztraminer wines can be found in select regions across the US.

–New Zealand & South Africa: Emerging producers in New Zealand and South Africa are bringing new styles to the world of Gewurztraminer.

Gewurztraminer vs. Other Aromatic Whites

While Gewurztraminer is often compared to Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris and Grüner Veltliner, it stands out for its bold aroma compounds and distinct spiciness. Unlike Pinot Grigio, which is typically light and crisp, Gewurztraminer delivers a fuller-bodied, more intense experience.

Wine Tasting: Reviewing Two Exceptional Gewurztraminers

Many of the grapes grown in Alsace are about 350 meters above sea level on the side of the Vosges Mountain range. To understand the elevation, a special tasting of Alsace wines was organized at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. Before we could taste the wines, we had to do the famous edge walk about the exterior of the tower at 350 meters in the air. This was scary but fun!

The event was organized by the Hopscotch public relations agency and presented by the Comité Interprofesional des Vins d’Alsace. We sampled many excellent wines from the region and they sent me two wines to review. Here are my notes. 

Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer Grande Réserve 2022

A typical expression of Gewurztraminer wine; a pronounced nose and pale gold in colour. This wine has aromas of rose petals, lychee, melon, apricot, and grapefruit, with tropical notes on the palate and spicy notes of white pepper and ginger too. 

This wine is off-dry but has medium plus acidity that balances well, so it does not taste as sweet. The alcohol is 13.5% but tastes a little hotter than that. The finish is long, and combined with the intensity on the palate and the complexity of the flavours, I rate this 4 stars out of 5. 

Domaine Allimant-Laugner Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Praelatenberg 2022

Pale lemon in colour, this wine has a medium plus intensity on the nose with notes of elderflower, ripe grapefruit, peach, lychee, green mango, pineapple, a wet stone minerality, and spicy notes of thyme.

This is a medium sweet wine, but the acid counterbalances the sweetness so well that it does not taste as sweet. The alcohol is medium at 12.5% and the finish is long. This wine is more refined and restrained than the previous one. Is it very good and extremely well balanced, with subtle flavours that speak of the finesse of the Grand Cru label. I also give this wine 4 out of 5 stars. 

Food Pairing with Gewurztraminer Wines

Gewurztraminer is one of the most versatile white wines for food pairing, complementing a wide array of global cuisines. Try it with:

–Spicy & International Cuisine: Indian curries, Chinese spice-infused dishes, pad Thai, spring rolls, tropical salsas, and spring rolls.

–Seafood: Works well with sushi and rich seafood dishes.

–Meats: Enhances the flavors of roast pork and stir fry dishes.

–Cheeses: Pairs beautifully with blue cheese.

Don’t miss out on one of the most intriguing aromatic grape varieties in the world! Pick up a bottle today and try this versatile wine that you can enjoy again and again with any menu you choose.

Cheers!