In my Cata & Aprende session with Spanish wines, I included a white wine made from the Gewürztraminer variety. And no—it wasn’t to make things harder with the pronunciation (although I admit it’s not easy). The name comes from German and is a compound word: “Gewürz” means “spice,” and “Traminer” refers to an ancient grape variety grown in Tramin, a town in South Tyrol (now in Italy, near the Austrian border). So, loosely translated: spiced Traminer. Interesting, right?
At many tastings, people ask me whether there are other grapes with such an aromatic and expressive profile. I usually mention three:
- Muscat/Moscatel/Moscato, lighter and more fruit-driven.
- Viognier, elegant, though less spicy.
- Torrontés, typically drier with higher acidity.
I’ve tried Gewürztraminer from several regions: Alsace, Germany, Italy, and Austria. And although I’m German, I have to admit I have a soft spot for Gewürztraminer from Alsace and Alto Adige. In those areas, this variety enjoys true star status, and producers invest heavily in vineyard work, grape selection, and careful winemaking techniques. In Germany, by contrast, it hasn’t been as popular, which means the quality is less consistent. The wines tend to be lighter, with some residual sweetness, and less intensity and depth both on the nose and palate.
That said, I still have to explore Gewürztraminer from the New World: the United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.
This week I organized a tasting with seven Spanish Gewürztraminers, and it was quite an experience. I had already noticed on previous occasions that, compared to their northern neighbours, Spanish examples tend to be lighter, drier, simpler, and less aromatically complex. But that also makes them very approachable and easy to drink. A more straightforward style… and yes, very enjoyable (careful—they go down easily!).
Although it’s not a very common variety in Spain, it is successfully grown in specific areas with cooler climates or higher altitudes. The three main regions where this grape is being developed are:
- Somontano (Aragon)
- Penedès (Catalonia)
- Some areas of Castile and León
Gewürztraminer is easy to recognize. Just bringing the glass to your nose gives you a clear clue thanks to its intense aromas. Floral notes include rose and orange blossom. On the fruit side: lychee (that highly aromatic exotic fruit), peach, pineapple, citrus, passion fruit, mango… And as the name suggests, you’ll also find spicy notes: ginger, cinnamon, and clove.
That said, don’t worry if you can’t identify all these nuances at first. What matters is that the wine feels interesting to you and invites you to keep exploring.
And before finishing, a personal note: I love Asian and North African cuisine, and Gewürztraminer pairs beautifully with dishes like curry, Vietnamese spring rolls, or lamb couscous. A combination that never fails.
To wrap up, here’s a photo of the Spanish Gewürztraminers we tasted:
