Best known as perhaps the distinctive grape of Alsace, where Gewürztraminer can be bone dry or lusciously sweet in late harvest styles.

Origins       

• Tyrol, Italy (slightly confusingly)

Characteristics   

• Medium to full intensity of colour
• Spicy backbone
• Full bodied
• Very floral / perfumed - lychees and roses
• High sugar levels and therefore high alcohol levels (13 degrees plus)     

Vinification      

• Often picked with levels of sugar but fermented dry - so can smell sweet but taste dry - the exception being Vendange Tardives and Selections de Grains Nobles in Alsace

Homeland

• Alsace

Also to be found in   

• North East Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Spain (in small quantities)
• New Zealand, especially Marlborough; Oregon; and Chile (promising results there)