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Gewurztraminer is an Alsatian white wine considered the most aromatic of its region. It is made from a “noble” grape variety. Alsace is a historic and world-renowned wine-growing region. Each year, around 1,200,000 hectolitres of wine are produced in the region’s 9 AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) appellations.
It stretches over a territory more than 120km long, sometimes hilly around the Vosges mountains, sometimes flat when it comes to the broad plains of Alsace. Gewurztraminer was awarded the AOC and AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) labels in 1962.
The surprising origins of Gewurztraminer
Surprising as it may seem, despite its Germanic-sounding name, historians are unanimous: Gewurztraminer originated in northern Italy. More precisely, it comes from the Tyrol region, where both Italian and German are spoken. It was then called “traminer Rosso”. It was not until the middle of the 16th century, rather late, that it was introduced to Alsace, a region in which it is now iconic. Gewurztraminer is, as its name suggests, a wine from the Traminer grape family. The prefix “Gewurz” means “spicy”. Gewurztraminer offers unparalleled aromatic power.
In the post-World War II era, Alsace’s vineyards began to move upmarket, replacing traditional grape varieties with “noble” varieties such as Gewurztraminer Rs. These efforts by Alsace’s winegrowers resulted in the creation of the “Vin d’Alsace” appellation, which Gewurztraminer has enjoyed since 1945.
Gewurztraminer requires demanding vinification conditions
Gewurztraminer is grown and vinified partly on the plains of Alsace and partly on the slopes of the Vosges at average altitudes of between 200m and 400m. Its sun-drenched vineyards cover an area of around 2,650 hectares and enjoy the temperate continental climate typical of Alsace. As the grape variety used is relatively sensitive to frost, winegrowers prefer to grow on the western slopes of the Vosges mountains, where the wind has lost its humidity and become dry and warm.
Two types of soil are ideal for growing Gewurztraminer Rs. The Alsatian plains have a low porosity soil. Made up of clay-limestone and clay-marl rocks, plots on the plains have more demanding drainage conditions than their counterparts on the Vosges hillsides. It’s true, the latter have soils made up of plutonic and metamorphic rocks such as granite and gneiss, as well as schist, rocks that allow for more natural drainage.
Gewurztraminer is characterized by its powerful aroma.
Alsace Gewurztraminer is a single-varietal wine, meaning that its charter requires the use of a single grape variety during vinification. In this case, the grape variety used is Gewurztraminer Rs. In a sunny climate such as the one described above, budburst and ripening are late, so the harvest doesn’t take place until mid-October. Finally, although vigorous, this variety is sensitive to spring frosts. So even the healthiest vines have lower-than-average yields.
To the eye, Gewurztraminer has a deep golden yellow color, shiny with occasional pink highlights, typical of sweet and syrupy wines. On the nose, Gewurztraminer stands out for its powerful aroma. Indeed, it offers strong aromas of exotic fruits such as lychee and, more subtly, passion fruit. Finer aromas can also be discerned, such as floral aromas of roses and violets. Finally, spicy aromas are the signature of Gewurztraminer. They are directly linked to the very demanding vatting conditions to which it is subjected. Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives will be finer and more bouquet-driven: in other words, the range of floral aromas in particular will be increased tenfold. As it ages, this appellation will develop notes of muscat and leather, a phenomenon that correlates perfectly with the winemaking conditions under which it is produced.
On the palate, Gewurztraminer generally has a powerful, full-bodied, structured attack, meaning that its aromas fill the palate and are clearly identifiable. However, this description needs to be qualified: Gewurztraminer Rs is a grape variety that is very sensitive to winemaking and vineyard conditions, and therefore reveals a very diverse palette of aromas. This is a wine full of pleasant surprises.
In general, we recommend keeping a bottle of Gewurztraminer between 2 and 10 years, a rather classic ageing potential for good white wines from sensitive grape varieties. However, if it’s a Vendanges Tardives Gewurztraminer, it’s best to cellar it for between 4 and 15 years to fully optimize its aromatic palette.
Gewurztraminer is traditionally associated with foie gras
Gewurztraminer is generally a sweet or even syrupy wine. Occasionally, the charter tolerates the sale of dry Gewurztraminer, but this trend is very marginal. Similarly, Gewurztraminers are generally quite alcoholic, averaging 14.3%.
So, as expected, Gewurztraminer goes very well with the tastiest, spiciest dishes, thanks to its singular aromatic power. For example, it goes perfectly with dishes in curry sauce, or with Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese and Indian, which are also very spicy. For example, a bo bùn will go perfectly with a Gewurztraminer.
In addition, Gewurztraminer is renowned for enhancing iodized flavors such as white-fleshed and river fish. A skewer of monkfish with spices will go very well with a Gewurztraminer.
For lovers of sweet flavors, Gewurztraminer is a perfect match for Kouglof and fruit tarts.
The Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives, generally softer and richer, are traditionally associated with foie gras. What’s more, they go very well with stronger cheeses like Munster or Bleu, whose strength is enhanced by the wine’s sweetness.
Gewurztraminer is generally served between 8 and 10°C.
1990 is a year not to be missed for Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer can benefit from several other denominations, including Grand Cru d’Alsace. There are 51 in the region. Other labels include “Vendanges Tardives”, “Vallée Noble” and “Sélection de Grains Nobles”. The years considered as exceptional vintages and millennia for Gewurztraminer are : 1929, 1945, 1971, 1976, 2007, 1953, and 1990.
Typically demanding Alsatian estates characterize the Gewurztraminer terroir
Gustave Lorentz
Since 1836, Domaine Gustave Lorentz has grown over 33 hectares in the commune of Bergheim, in the cradle of the region’s vineyards. The estate’s primary concern is quality production, with 12.80 hectares of vines in the Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim and 1.75 hectares in the Grand Cru Kanzlerberg. Despite the severe phylloxera crises that ravaged the region in the 20th century, the Lorentz family managed to expand and improve their vineyards.
The family cultivates not only vines, but also a certain sensitivity to environmental issues. In 2009, the decision was taken to convert the estate to organic farming. Since the 2012 vintage, all our wines are certified organic.
Albert Hertz
This Gewurztraminer vineyard covers almost 8 hectares, 7 of which are reserved for growing white wine grapes. Biodynamic viticulture, which they have been promoting since 2006 and have gradually adopted, is a real philosophy in the way they tend their vines. This makes the wines from this estate all the more flavorful, with more minerality and saltiness. They are perfectly integrated into the terroir to which they belong.
