James Suckling – A prototypical Alsace gewurz with plenty of lychee and pineapple character, delicate spice and a satisfying balance between full, creamy body and an almost dry, spicy finish that’s long and rather complex.
Gewürztraminer, with its unmistakable character and pronounced aromatics, is one of the most distinctive white grape varietals in the world. Originating from the wine-rich regions of Alsace, it has since found homes in various wine-producing areas, from Italy's South Tyrol to New Zealand's cooler climates. The name "Gewürztraminer" translates to "spicy traminer," hinting at its complex flavor profile that includes notes of lychee, rose petal, and sometimes a hint of ginger or cinnamon. This wine's full-bodied nature, coupled with a slightly off-dry palate, makes it a favorite for those who appreciate wines that offer a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity. Its deep golden hue and lush texture further add to its appeal, making Gewürztraminer a varietal that's both a visual and sensory delight.
Gewürztraminer is a distinctive white wine variety, known for its powerful aroma profile and characteristically pronounced lychee, rose, and sometimes spicy notes. The name "Gewürztraminer" translates to "spiced Traminer", highlighting its aromatic and flavorful appeal. The grape's pink to red skin gives the wine a deep golden hue. Its wines tend to have higher alcohol content, with a rich, full-bodied texture and a slight sweetness, although dry versions are also produced. The complexity of Gewürztraminer's aromatic compounds makes it a wine that's both unique and instantly recognizable to enthusiasts.
The Alsace region of France is perhaps the most renowned for its outstanding Gewürztraminer wines. Here, the grape thrives in the mineral-rich soils and cool climate, producing wines of exceptional depth and aromatic intensity. The Alto Adige region in Italy and parts of Germany also have a reputation for crafting noteworthy Gewürztraminer wines. Outside of Europe, regions like New Zealand's Marlborough, Oregon in the USA, and parts of Australia's cooler climates have also garnered attention for their expressions of this grape variety.
While the best-known Gewürztraminer wines come from Alsace, with labels like Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Trimbach, and Domaine Weinbach leading the pack, popularity is also surging for New World expressions. Oregon's Elk Cove and Montinore Estate, as well as New Zealand's Lawson's Dry Hills, are increasingly finding favor among enthusiasts for their balanced and vibrant renditions of this aromatic varietal.
For those seeking exceptional value, Alsace, once again, often delivers. Brands like Hugel & Fils offer high-quality Gewürztraminer wines at accessible price points. Additionally, exploring Gewürztraminer from emerging wine regions, such as Chile or parts of Washington State, can lead to discovering wines of impressive quality that won't break the bank.
Gewürztraminer's aromatic richness makes it a superb match for equally aromatic dishes. Its natural affinity lies with Asian cuisine, particularly dishes that incorporate ginger, lemongrass, or spicy heat like Thai curries. The wine's pronounced aromatics and slight sweetness also make it a prime candidate for pairing with Moroccan tagines, Indian curries, or spiced duck dishes. For a cheese pairing, Munster, a strong cheese from Alsace, is a traditional choice, but other pungent cheeses can also complement this wine beautifully.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.