Grape variety
Gewürztraminer
Hardly any other grape variety polarises as much as Gewürztraminer. Its name alone reveals what it is all about: intensity, spice and an unmistakable spectrum of flavours ranging from lychee, bitter orange and rose petals to marzipan. It is not a subtle wine, nor is it meant to be. Genetically, Gewürztraminer is almost identical to Savagnin or Roter Traminer, but aromatically it has a character all of its own. It is one of the oldest known grape varieties in Europe and produces golden yellow, sometimes slightly copper-coloured wines that are hard to beat in terms of richness, fragrance and expression. Its high extract and alcohol content - often over 14% - are balanced by concentration, flavour density and sometimes a fine residual sweetness. This results in wines of astonishing harmony, which can also mature excellently. This is one side of the "spice", as it is often called in English-speaking countries. The other is the very dry version, which is often produced in South Tyrol and is highly sought-after throughout Italy. In addition, excellent orange wines, i.e. mash-fermented white wines, can be produced from this late-ripening variety. Gewürztraminer is grown on around 13,000 hectares worldwide. There are a good 1,000 in Germany and around 280 in Austria, with France and Italy accounting for the largest shares. A small grape with a strong character - and a great seducer in the glass.