Wine · Grape variety guide
Grape Variety Guide · WSET Level 2
Gewürztraminer
Intensely perfumed and low in acid — lychee, rose petal and spice in the glass.
Low acidity
Highly aromatic
Full body
Where it grows
- Alsace, France — the benchmark region, from dry to lusciously sweet styles
- Germany — Pfalz and Baden
- Alto Adige, Italy — labelled Gewürztraminer or Traminer Aromatico
- New Zealand — small plantings
- Pacific Northwest, USA — cooler sites
What it tastes like
- Lychee, rose petal and Turkish delight aromatics
- Ginger and baking spice notes
- Low acidity and full body, often with a slightly oily texture
- Ranges from fully dry to lusciously sweet late-harvest styles
Growing notes
- A pink-skinned mutation of the Traminer (Savagnin) grape
- Low natural acidity means it needs cool sites to avoid feeling flabby
- Thrives in Alsace's dry, sunny but cool climate
Good to know
"Gewürz" means "spiced" in German, added to the plainer grape name Traminer to describe this more intensely aromatic, pink-skinned version of it.
Exam tip
This is the answer whenever an exam question describes "lychee and rose petal" — one of the most distinctive and recognisable aroma profiles on the whole syllabus.
Part of the Grape Guide — browse all varieties, or jump back to the study sheet.
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