Grüner Veltliner vs. Gewürztraminer: The Untold Similarities, Differences & Selection Criteria
Last Updated on August 1st, 2023
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Many think of these wines to be similar, if not exactly the same, due to their parent grapes. Gruner Veltliner has an identified parent of the ancient French grape Savagnin.
In comparison, Gewürztraminer is considered to be a mutation of Savagnin itself. While this may seem like interesting information, you’ll come to find that these wines really could not be more different.
Is Grüner Veltliner The Same As Gewürztraminer?
These two wines are not the same and hold many different properties in origin, alcohol content, and notes to prove it.
What Is Similar About Grüner Veltliner And Gewürztraminer?
The main similarity you’ll find between this duo is their strong aroma due to their unique exotic notes. Although the white wines don’t carry the same aroma, popping open bottles of these wines, you’ll come quickly to compare how intense their aromas are.
What Is The Difference Between Grüner Veltliner And Gewürztraminer?
This specific wine comparison carries many differences in origin, alcohol content, notes, styles, and even food pairings.
Grüner Veltliner originates from Austria, and the highly acidic wine carries notes of starfruit, gooseberry, asparagus, ground pepper, and other mineral notes. The wine is most commonly made in a dry style that is known to pair with lighter meats and seafood cuisines.
Gewürztraminer originates from France. The wine is low in acidity and carries lychee, rose, grapefruit, and ginger notes. It’s most commonly produced into dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wine that is known to pair with a plethora of foods.
Such as duck, pork, ginger, rose water, almond, red onions, carrots, and the list goes on.
Which One Is Sweeter Or Drier Than The Other?
Considering its larger variety of styles, Gewürztraminer is said to be sweeter in taste compared to a Grüner Veltliner. However, it’s the mineral notes of the Grüner Veltliner that make the wine seemingly more dry compared to Gewürztraminer’s floral notes.
Which One Has More Alcohol Content?
These wine selections come close to aligning in alcohol content, but it’s the Gewürztraminer that proves to contain more alcohol content. Gewürztraminer holds an alcohol content of around 13-15% of alcohol by volume.
At the same time, Grüner Veltliner comes up just behind the comparison wine at 11-13.5% alcohol by volume.
How Do I Choose Between Grüner Veltliner and Gewürztraminer?
If you are someone who does not favor sweeter wines and rather enjoys more dry wines with exotic notes such as starfruit, you would prefer Grüner Veltliner.
However, if you prefer a sweeter wine in taste with higher alcohol content, you would prefer the delicacy of Gewürztraminer, especially if you favor those notes of ginger and rose and want to define those flavors more within a cuisine that possibly contains them.
What’s A Good Selection For a Gruner Veltliner?
- Gobelsburger Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal 2009
- Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner
What’s A Good Selection For Gewürztraminer?
- Claiborne & Churchill 2013 Dry Gewürztraminer
- Cosentino Winery 2004 Gewürztraminer
- Dry River 2006 Martinborough Gewürztraminer
Final Thoughts on the comparison of Grüner Veltliner and Gewürztraminer?
Grüner Veltliner and Gewürztraminer are not the same wine despite both having a history with the French ancient grape Savagnin.
These wines may hold a similarity in their strong aromas but carry differences in origin, notes, styles, alcohol content, and food pairings. Gewürztraminer is considered to not only be the sweeter of the pair but also contains more alcohol content.
