Join Us & Get Wine 101 Course 75% Off

Video Library

A collection of videos from Wine Folly that will help you learn more about wine.

Gewürztraminer: Most Floral White Wine Ever?

Gewürztraminer is one of the most aromatic white wines out there! Let’s dive into everything you need to know to find great quality and food pairings.

First things first, the pronunciation of Gewürztraminer is a bit tricky if you're not a fluent German speaker. It sounds something like "Geh-VURTS-Trah-Mee-Nur".

The name Gewürztraminer breaks up into two words:

  • Gewürz: meaning "spicy" or "intense aromas"
  • Traminer: meaning "of Tramin"

Because of the name, for the longest time we've thought that Gewürztraminer originated from Tramin, in Alto Adige wine country, Northern Italy.

However, recent DNA analysis shows more clonal diversity in Northeastern France and Southeastern Germany which suggests that Gewürz comes from around Alsace, France.

Gewürztraminer flavors chart by Wine Folly

Floral To The Core

What makes Gewürztraminer so special are intense floral aromas often described as rose and lychee. These aromas come from compounds found in the skins of Gewürztraminer grapes that are unlocked in the fermentation.

It's one of the reasons why Gewürztraminer producers will let the wine macerate on the skin for a few hours before fermenting the wines – to collect these incredible flavors!

Gewürztraminer wine grapes and wine in glass by Wine Folly

Another fun fact about Gewürztraminer is that the grapes are a pinkish-gray color. You can often see this in the glass as the wine will have a slightly golden or pink gold hue.

Wines Mentioned


40 Days on the Skin Gewürztraminer

Union Sacré

2021 40 Days on the Skin Gewürztraminer

Arroyo Seco | California

Find out more

Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand

Domaine Albert Boxler

2019 Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand

Alsace | France

The palate is silky, supple persistence. It is delicious already but will surely transcend to the realms of the exquisite with some age.

Find out more

Gewürztraminer

Colterenzio Schreckbichl

2021 Gewürztraminer

Alto Adige | Trentino-Alto Adige

Golden yellow in colour, spicy in aroma and flavour, reminiscent of yellow roses, cloves, lychees and nutmeg. Luscious and powerful on the palate with an elegant, dry and aromatic finish.

Luscious and powerful on the palate with an elegant, dry and aromatic finish.

Find out more

Related Videos


Cover Image for The Real Story Behind Super Tuscan Wines

The Real Story Behind Super Tuscan Wines

The idea of Super Tuscan wine isn’t new, but it sparked a revolution during the 1970s that changed the face of Italian wine forever.
Cover Image for Rare Wine That Grows In The Mountains

Rare Wine That Grows In The Mountains

This grape used to be the most popular red wine grape in Cataluyna until a vine disease nearly wiped it out. Fortunately, it survived in the mountains and has created quite a stir.
Cover Image for Unexpected turn in Oregon wines | Wine Unpacked

Unexpected turn in Oregon wines | Wine Unpacked

Are you ready for Pinot from Oregon? Madeline unpacks three great wines from Lange Estate Winery in Oregon.

Join Our Newsletter

Jumpstart your wine education and subscribe to the Wine Folly newsletter right now. Always awesome. Always free.

sign up free