Is Gewürztraminer a Sweet Or Dry White Wine?
Gewürztraminer, a noble grape variety from Alsace, can be made into both dry and sweet wines. Let's take a look at these wine styles and find out the best food and wine pairing tips.
Gewürztraminer best-sellers
This Grape Variety of Character With Diverse Expressions
The Gewürztraminer grape variety is distinguished from all other grape varieties by its aromatic power. A noble grape variety, like Pinot Gris, its name comes from the grape variety originating in northern Italy, Traminer, or Termeno in Italian. An aromatic variety with pink berries. The suffix 'Gewürz' means 'spicy' or 'aromatic'. The aromas expressed by this white grape variety are powerful and particular. Very characteristic aromas of rose and lychee emerge on the nose. The bouquet is so rich, that it can be described as extravagant by some. It is an easy grape variety to detect in a blind tasting!
In France, it is in Alsace that it stands out the most. This noble grape variety makes up the Alsatian Grands Crus in particular. Elsewhere in Europe, it can be found in Germany, Austria, Romania, Italy and Slovenia. Across the Atlantic, it is most prominent in the United States, but also in Australia and a little in South Africa. This variety likes freshness and is susceptible to noble rot. The name Gewürztraminer can therefore be used for both dry and sweet white wines. Internationally, it flourishes in suitable climates, often cooled by a certain altitude.
Dry Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer has different characteristics depending on whether it is made as a dry wine or a sweet wine. When made as a dry wine, the wine has a subtle pinkish colour, which is very characteristic of the Traminer grape variety, whose berries are pink. Since all the sugars in the berries are consumed by the yeasts and thus transformed into alcohol, the alcoholic strength will be higher than a sweet wine.
On the nose, an explosion of scents with fruits such as quince, citrus peel, candied apricot, acacia, sweet spices, as well as exotic fruits such as pineapple, passion fruit, lychee and mango. Floral aromas, especially rose, are particularly noticeable.
Sweet Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer wine is sweet when produced from late harvest grapes. The colour becomes rather dark gold. Tears can be seen on the glass, indicating a high level of sweetness and therefore a lower alcohol content.
The level of sugar per litre is therefore higher than in a dry wine. The aromas of a dry wine can be found on the nose, but other scents are revealed, such as different nuances of honey and dried apricot, typical of botrytised grapes.
Late Harvest Alsace Gewürztraminer: Sweet to Luscious Wines
The Alsatian climate lends itself nicely to late harvests. These harvests are carried out shortly after the official harvest date. The grapes left on the vine are thus harvested at over-ripening. When affected by a small fungus called botrytis cinerea, the grapes become concentrated in sugar. This fungus, also known as noble rot, gives rise to sweet to syrupy wines with absolutely exquisite aromas.
The term Sélection de Grains Nobles refers to wines where the grapes have not only been harvested by hand, but also carefully selected from the bunches so that only perfectly botrytised grapes are harvested. Quality control at the highest level!
What Dish to Serve With a Dry Gewürztraminer?
Dry Gewürztraminer has a very varied and pronounced aromatic bouquet, which makes it an excellent accompaniment to the most fragrant dishes. Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Malaysian cuisine, will make excellent food and wine pairings. Special mention should be made of dishes based on coconut milk, which will be sublimated by a glass of Gewürztraminer! Gewürztraminer wines, even when vinified dry, often have a certain amount of residual sugar. This slight sweetness allows them to accompany even hot and spicy dishes.
Grilled fish and fish in sauce, as well as shellfish, will be enhanced by a dry Gewürztraminer from Alsace. Crab, lobster, prawns and shrimp are superb food and wine pairings. A curry sauce will be deliciously accompanied by a white wine of this noble grape variety. An onion tart is also an excellent match with a glass of Gewürztraminer.
What Dish to Serve With a Sweet Gewürztraminer?
Alsatian specialities such as Munster cheese with caraway seeds or blue cheese are ideal for sweet Gewürztraminer. The level of sugar per litre in the wine balances the salt in these types of cheese. A great French classic is to accompany foie gras with this late harvest wine!
For dessert, fruit tarts such as tarte Tatin are perfect. Desserts with exotic fruits such as mango, lychee, pineapple or passion fruit will echo the aromas present in the wine. A pure gustatory delight which it would be foolish to miss!
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