Grape · Alsace, France / Alto Adige
Gewürztraminer
guh-VURTS-tra-mee-ner
Lychee, rose, and low acid
The most perfumed of the aromatic whites. Alsace is headquarters; the grape is easy to smell and easy to get wrong.
- lychee
- rose petal
- ginger
- passion fruit
- incense
Profile
Bodyhigh
Acidlow
Sugaroff-dry
Low acid and high aromatics mean Gewürz can taste oily and sweet even when it is technically dry. The best Alsace bottles have enough spine to carry the perfume; the worst are potpourri in a glass.
It is a gift with Thai, Indian, and Sichuan food — the lychee-ginger profile and a little sugar tame chili and ginger in the dish. Off-dry is often more useful than dry.
Serve cold. Do not cellar most bottles for long. Pair with spice, Munster cheese, and duck.
At the table
Service
45–48 °F (7–9 °C). A little residual sugar is a feature with spice.
