Is Gewürztraminer Sweet or Dry? Your Taste Buds Are Begging For This Answer

If you’re interested in trying underrated wines, Gewürztraminer wine is probably right up your alley. Although this grape has German roots, it has thrived in Alsace, a northern region of France, for many years. 

It is mainly found in France and Italy but is prevalent in certain areas in the US, such as California and Washington state. Gewürztraminer is a rather tricky grape to harvest, needing cooler climates to be able to produce the best it has to offer. 

This grape has vibrant pink skin that makes a full-bodied, rich wine with a variety of underlying flavors. 

Have a Preference for Sweet or Dry Wine and Want to Try Gewürztraminer?

You’re in the right place. 

Gewürztraminer has the capabilities to be either dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Due to its aromatics-meaning, its grape is heavily scented- it naturally has a sweeter taste when harvested. 

This uniqueness allows the ability to have a higher alcohol content but still taste sweeter in comparison to the amount of residual sugar it contains. If you are concerned about wanting a sweeter-tasting wine without the sugar, you might want to give this wine a shot. 

However, for white wine lovers who prefer a dryer, full-textured wine, many dry Gewürztraminers can fit this bill.  

Here are a few dryer options for Gewürztraminer: 

 

• Wagner Vineyards Gewürztraminer Dry
• Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Estate bottled Gewürztraminer
• Claiborne & Churchill 2020 Dry Gewürztraminer

 

Gewürztraminer is often paired with spicier dishes from middle eastern, Asian, and Latin cuisines. Dishes ranging from Thai curries to Moroccan chicken are sure to pair well with its fruity undertones. 

 

Is Gewürztraminer Sweeter or Drier Than Other White Wines?

Dry is not the first-word wine lovers think of when they think of this German-born wine. In fact, it often gets a bad reputation from dry wine lovers due to its natural sweetness. 

Gewürztraminer naturally has a nectarous taste due to its aromatic properties. Traditionally, their grapes are harvested late in the season, making it known to be one of the sweeter white wines available. 

In addition, it has fruity and tropical undertones similar to the famous Moscato wines.

 Its notes of rose and lychee lend to its popularity as a sweet white wine. However, its other popular notes, like peach and grapefruit, and its spicier notes, like cinnamon and ginger, offer a variety of different types of sweetness. 

If you’re looking for a comparison, it is not typically as sweet as a sauterne wine which has a lovely lemony taste, nor as sweet as a Muscatel dessert wine. It is, however, not dry like wines such as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. 

 

How Can You Tell if a Gewürztraminer Is as Sweet or Dry as I Like Before I Buy It?

Wines that are traditionally sweeter, like Gewürztraminer, can be made dry, and that can confuse a lot of people who are looking to buy because harvesters have the ability to make a wine as sweet or dry as they wish. 

Researching specific types of Gewürztraminer before you buy is an excellent way to see how others have felt about their sweetness levels. The alcohol content on the bottle is a good indicator of how much residual sugar it has. 

This is represented by the abbreviation ABV, meaning alcohol by volume. The lower the amount on the bottle means it is the sweeter wine. RS- residual sugar- will then be higher. Here’s a simplification: 

 

Higher ABV= Lower RS

Lower ABV= Higher RS

 

Of course, with most things, there are exceptions to this rule. A dry Gewürztraminer will probably still be a little sweeter than another dry wine because its grape naturally has high aromatics. 

When in doubt, look at the bottle and judge for yourself. Taste, in general, is relative. A glass of sweet wine might be drier than another for one person. 

While it’s a risk to buy a wine that might not be one you like, you’ll never fully know how you will like it if you don’t take the leap and try it. 

 

Are There Sweet Versions of Gewürztraminer Wine?

Yes! 

Gewürztraminer is already a semi-sweet wine, but there are versions of it that are made even more so. In addition, some people want to enjoy a more luscious wine without the overt alcohol taste that often accompanies dry wines. 

Here are a few Gewürztraminers that may fit your needs: 

 

• Carlson Laughing Cat Sweet Gewürztraminer
• Tom Shula Sweet Gewürztraminer 2020
• Fetzer Gewürztraminer
• 2019 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer

Final Thoughts on Gewürztraminer Taste

The versatility of Gewürztraminer allows the consumer to have the utmost pleasant adventure while tasting its flavors. 

Its unique qualities stand out as a wine that offers an experience unlike any other, with a fragrance you will be able to pick out instantly, even without knowing what’s in the bottle. Whether you want it sweet or dry, Gewürztraminers got it for you. 

If you’re not convinced that you’ll like it, the truth is, you’ll never know unless you give it a chance.