Pair Gewürztraminer with rich-fowl dishes like turkey, duck, or Foie Gras, along with egg dishes like quiche and omelets. You’ll also find that Gewurztraminer goes well with German dishes like pork chops, roasted ham,  sausages loaded with sauerkraut, and wiener schnitzel.

Gewürztraminer is unmistakable from other white wines as it will instantly strike you with its aromas of lychee, rose petals, apricot, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger. The sweet spice notes of cinnamon and ginger make  Gewürztraminer a wonderful pairing with vegetarian stir fry tossed in a soy sauce and ginger-based sauce, or not-so-spicy curries.

Because of its spicy nature, you might be tempted to pair up Gewürztraminer with a spicy chicken burrito or a Thai dish with some kick to it. This is a bad idea as Gewürztraminer is high in alcohol, and mixing alcohol with hot spices will make your mouth burn even more.  For mild dishes like a not-so-spicy butter chicken, pad thai, or anything containing coconut milk, Gewürztraminer makes for a fantastic pairing.

Finally, Gewürztraminer is not a acidic white wine, instead, it is considered ’round’, and you’ll marvel at its oily texture.  This oily texture lingers in your mouth after each swallow, making it more difficult to pair with food as Gewürztraminer does not work as a palate cleanser.  Its strength lies in its contrasting or complementing flavours.

Best Food with Gewürztraminer

TypeVarietalFoodRating
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceMuenster Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerAsian Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCheese
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceChinese Cuisine Spicy
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCurry Dishes
White WineGewürztraminerDuck a L'Orange
White WineGewürztraminerReuben Sandwich
White WineGewürztraminer - Vendange TardiveFoie Gras
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceGinger
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceIndian Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminer, GermanIndian Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminer, GermanEthiopian Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceEthiopian Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerPork
White WineGewürztraminerPork With Fruit or Fruit Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerSoy Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerThai Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerVietnamese Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerRed Curry
White WineGewürztraminerGreen Curry
White WineGewürztraminerUnagi/Anago (eel) - Grilled
White WineGewürztraminerSauerkraut Soup
White WineGewürztraminerWaldorf Salad
White WineGewürztraminerApple
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerApple Dessert
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCabbage
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCajun Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerCharcuterie
White WineGewürztraminerBoursin Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerEpoisses Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerGruyère Cheese
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceSmoked Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerChiles
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceChoucroute Garnie
White WineGewürztraminerCinnamon
White WineGewürztraminerCloves
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCrab with Black Bean Sauce
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceDuck
White WineGewürztraminerDuck with Curry Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerDuck with Fruit Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerPeking Duck
White WineGewürztraminerFish
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerFoie Gras
White WineGewürztraminerFruit Fresh
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerGinger Desserts - Gingerbread
White WineGewürztraminerHam
White WineGewürztraminerLamb Curry Dishes
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceLobster
White WineGewürztraminerLychee
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceOnion
White WineGewürztraminerPeanuts
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerPears
White WineGewürztraminerPork Roasted
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerRhubarb
White WineGewürztraminerSauerkraut
White WineGewürztraminerSausage
White WineGewürztraminerSquid Fried
White WineGewürztraminerSzechuan Food
White WineGewürztraminerTrout
White WineGewürztraminerTurkey
White WineGewürztraminerTurkey Roasted
White WineGewürztraminerWasabi
White WineGewürztraminerZucchini Blossoms
White WineGewürztraminerZucchini Blossoms Fried
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerFoie Gras Terrine Torchon Pâté
White WineGewürztraminerGoose
White WineGewürztraminerPig Roast
White WineGewürztraminerFrench Onion Soup
White WineGewürztraminerPotato Soup
White WineGewürztraminerBrussel Sprouts
White WineGewürztraminerTzatziki Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerDumplings, Asian
White WineGewürztraminerCauliflower
White WineGewürztraminerYuzu-koshou (yuzu-pepper paste)
White WineGewürztraminerGari Tsukemono
White WineGewürztraminerPork Tenderloin
White WineGewürztraminerTom Yum Soup
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Peri Peri
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Teriyaki
White WineGewürztraminerPork Schnitzel
White WineGewürztraminerLobster Bisque
White WineGewürztraminerLentil Soup
White WineGewürztraminerPapaya & Beef Salad
White WineGewürztraminerMackerel Soup
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Noodle Soup - Vietnamese
White WineGewürztraminerShrimp & Pork Rice Cakes
White WineGewürztraminerCarp
White WineGewürztraminerBlue Carp
White WineGewürztraminerLechón
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerDiced Ham with Crystal Sugar
White WineGewürztraminerBarbel - Fish
White WineGewürztraminerPlaice
White WineGewürztraminerDab
White WineGewürztraminerFish Curry Dishes
White WineGewürztraminerCod with Sweet and Sour Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerFried Whiting Fish
White WineGewürztraminerCorned Beef and Cabbage
White WineGewürztraminerApple Dessert
White WineGewürztraminerAvocado
White WineGewürztraminerBanana
White WineGewürztraminerBarbecue
White WineGewürztraminerBeef Stroganoff
White WineGewürztraminerBeets
White WineGewürztraminerBluefish
White WineGewürztraminerCaraway Seeds
White WineGewürztraminerCaribbean Cusine
White WineGewürztraminerCatfish
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCauliflower
White WineGewürztraminerCeviche
White WineGewürztraminerCheddar Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerFontina Cheese
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceFourme D'ambert Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerGorgonzola Cheese
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceLivarot Cheese
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerMuenster Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerRaclette Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerSwiss Cheese
White WineGewürztraminerChervil
White WineGewürztraminerChicken with Curry Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerJerked Chicken
White WineGewürztraminerStir Fried Chicken
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceSweet and Sour Chicken
White WineOff-Dry GewürztraminerChicken Tikka Masala - spicy
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceChile Rellenos
White WineGewürztraminerMilk Chocolate
White WineGewürztraminerCilantro
White WineGewürztraminerClams
White WineGewürztraminerCoriander
White WineGewürztraminerCornish Game Hen
White WineGewürztraminerCrab with Coriander and other Spices
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCreole Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceCrêpes
White WineGewürztraminerDuck with Coriander
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceDuck with Soy Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerEggs Based Dishes
White WineGewürztraminerEnchiladas
White WineGewürztraminer, GermanFish with Curry Sauce
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceFoie Gras Terrine Torchon Pâté
White WineGewürztraminerFruit Desserts
White WineGewürztraminerTropical Fruit
White WineGewürztraminerGarlic
White WineGewürztraminerGravlax
White WineGewürztraminerGrilled Dishes
White WineGewürztraminerGulab Jamun
White WineGewürztraminerHamburgers with Sweet Pickle Relish
White WineGewürztraminerHerbed Dishes
White WineGewürztraminerHorseradish
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceHunan Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerJapanese Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerKung Pao Chicken
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceChicken Liver
White WineGewürztraminerGrilled Lobster
White WineGewürztraminerBroiled Lobster
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerLychee
White WineGewürztraminerMelon
Dessert WineLate Harvest GewürztraminerMelon
White WineGewürztraminerMexican Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerMint
White WineGewürztraminerOlives
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsacePad Thai
White WineGewürztraminerPeanut Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerBlack Pepper
White WineGewürztraminerPolish Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceRedfish Blackened
White WineGewürztraminerRhubarb
White WineGewürztraminerCobb Salad
White WineGewürztraminerSatay
White WineGewürztraminerBlack Bean Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerTurkey Sausage
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Sausage
White WineGewürztraminerSeafood in a Curry Sauce
White WineGewürztraminerShrimp Curried
White WineGewürztraminerFish Smoked
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceHaddock Smoked
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceSmoked Salmon
White WineGewürztraminerTrout Smoked
White WineGewürztraminerSoba Noodles
White WineGewürztraminerPea Soup
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceRed Pepper Soup
White WineGewürztraminerSquash Soup
White WineGewürztraminerSweet Potato Soup
White WineGewürztraminerTomato Soup
White WineGewürztraminerSouthwestern Cuisine
White WineGewürztraminerAcorn Squash
White WineGewürztraminerSpaghetti Squash
White WineGewürztraminerStew
White WineGewürztraminerSushi Eel
White WineGewürztraminer, AlsaceSweetbreads
White WineGewürztraminerSweet Potato
White WineGewürztraminerTandoori
White WineGewürztraminerSeafood Tempura
White WineGewürztraminerTomatoes Raw
White WineGewürztraminerButternut Squash Soup
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Curry Dishes
White WineGewürztraminerHot Dogs with the Works
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Cacciatore
White WineGewürztraminerVegetarian Stir Fry
White WineGewürztraminerTom Kha Goong Soup
White WineGewürztraminerTom Kha Gai Soup
White WineGewürztraminerChimichanga
White WineGewürztraminerSalmon Grilled on a Cedar Plank
White WineGewürztraminerGeneral Tso's Chicken
White WineGewürztraminerHungarian Goulash
White WineGewürztraminerSnails in Limousine
White WineGewürztraminerGreen Rice Coated Shrimp
White WineGewürztraminerGrilled Goat Chop with Lemongrass
White WineGewürztraminerTeochew Cold Crab
White WineGewürztraminerChicken Fried Steak
White WineGewürztraminerCabbage Rolls
White WineGewürztraminerCucumber Soup (cold)
White WineGewürztraminerLiver and Onions
White WineDry GewürztraminerAsparagus

Alsace Gewürztraminer & Foie Gras Pairing


Alsace Gewürztraminer can either be dry or off-dry but will always taste sweet due to its lush flavours of lychee, peach and pear.   The aromatic fruit flavours of Gewürztraminer tone down the richness of Foie Gras, while the round body of Gewürztraminer blends in with the velvety texture of the liver. While any bottle of Gewürztraminer will pair with Foie Gras, I would select a Vendange Tardives (sweet – dessert style wine) from Alsace France, where the wine has evolved with the food over dozens of generations.

Gewürztraminer & Roast Pork Pairing


Roast pork is another neutral-style meat, which we often doll up so we can add more flavour.  For example, ham is often glazed, pork cutlets are often breaded and fried (pork schnitzel), and pork tenderloin is often stuffed.  The fruity Gewürztraminer of apricot, lychee, mango and pineapple ensure you have plenty of flavour at hand to create a delicious springboard for those sweet pork flavours of Roast Pork.

Gewürztraminer & Turkey Pairing


An off-dry Gewürztraminer is an excellent wine to pair with Turkey as it tastes slightly like Thanksgiving in a bottle  An off-dry Gewürztraminer is going to be slightly sweet, spicy and aromatic, making it a wonderful pairing with Turkey, stuffing and many of the fixings.  Turkey is a neutral meat and often overcooked and dry.  Gewürztraminer, with its juicy flavours of lychee, mango, passion fruit and peach, injects some fun into the turkey meat without overwhelming any of the turkey flavours you love.

I wouldn’t suggest bringing Gewürztraminer to a Thanksgiving buffet style banquet as the wine isn’t acidic enough to pair up with the wide variety of foods at hand.  However, for a plated dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and perhaps some glazed carrots, Gewürztraminer will work just wonderful.

Off-Dry Gewürztraminer & Sausage Pairing


Alsace, which shares a border with Germany, is adored for their off-dry Gewürztraminer.  Thus, it’s no surprise that Gewürztraminer is a fantastic wine pairing with Oktoberfest sausages loaded up with sauerkraut, ketchup and mustard.  The hint of sweetness in an off-dry Gewürztraminer frolics with the sugar content found in the ketchup, while floral and fruity nose tones down the belligerent attitude of the mustard.

Off-Dry Gewürztraminer & Shrimp


Shrimp has a subtle sweet component to it and the slightly sweet nature of an off-dry Gewürztraminer complements this aspect.  Shrimp is also neutral in flavour, thus, the peach, lychee, and pear aromatics of Gewürztraminer add more flair to this pairing without overwhelming the shrimp.

Sweet Gewürztraminer & Food Pairings

For sweet Gewürztraminer, like a late harvest Gewürztraminer or a Vendange Tardive, you’ll find that they are a lovely pair with fruity desserts, such as a peach, pear, apple, or lychee dessert.  With its aromas of sweet spices, Gewürztraminer is also exceptional with desserts containing cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  Thus, gingerbread, churros and Pumpkin Pie pair well with a sweet wine like Gewürztraminer, provided the wine is sweeter than the dessert.

What Not to Pair Gewürztraminer With

Other than hot and spicy dishes, keep Gewürztraminer away from acidic foods, like tomatoes, and tossed green salads with sharp vinaigrettes.  The lack of acidity in Gewürztraminer clashes with foods that are acidic and gives the wine a metallic taste.

Remember too that Gewürztraminer is a bold wine and will overpower simple and delicate dishes, like light fish dishes.  For the best results, stick to lighter-fare dishes (like chicken, veal, and pork) packing plenty of flavour.

Notable Producers of Gewürztraminer

For dry and off-dry Gewürztraminer, Fielding Estate (Canada) and Helfrich, Hugel, Beyer, Boxler, Pierre Sparr, Trimbach, Weinbach and Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, France make excellent Gewürztraminer.  Navarro Vineyards, Hazlitt, Canoe Ridge, Covey Run, and Hogue Cellars from America also produce excellent examples of Gewürztraminer.

Gewürztraminer vs Riesling

Gewürztraminer and Riesling share similar qualities in that they are produced in dry, off-dry and sweet forms of wine.  Riesling is much more acidic than Gewürztraminer and features crisp flavours of lemon, lime, peach and minerals.  Gewürztraminer on the other hand is low in acidity and has an oily texture.  Gewürztraminer is much more spicy and aromatic on the nose with flavours of lychee, apricot, rose petals, and black pepper.