The grape is a versatile varietal that can be used to make many different styles of wine. Sweetness levels can vary from dry to sweet. Most Gewürztraminer wine is off-dry with just a touch of sweetness.

Traditionally, Riesling is intended to be sweet – to balance out its acidity – although some modern varieties are drier. Gewürztraminer can be either dry, but is often made sweeter. Dryness depends on the winemaker. Despite its sweet, tropical aroma, tasting heavily of lychee when ripe.

The name “Gewürztraminer” literally means “Spiced Traminer” in the German language. “Spiced” because of the notes of cinnamon, allspice, ginger and pepper the wine possesses. “Traminer” because that is the name of an ancient grape variety.

What Does Gewürztraminer Taste Like? Gewürztraminer wine tends to have lychee and stone fruit aromas and flavors, as well as tropical fruit, distinctive spice (ginger, lemongrass), and floral notes. It can be made dry or sweet, and it offers insight into the character of the land in which the grapes were grown.