gewurztraminer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “gewurztraminer” mean?
A white wine grape variety used to make aromatic, spicy, and typically off-dry to sweet white wines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A white wine grape variety used to make aromatic, spicy, and typically off-dry to sweet white wines.
A wine produced from the Gewürztraminer grape, characterized by its floral aroma, lychee and rose petal notes, and often high alcohol content with low acidity. The name is German, meaning 'spicy Traminer', referring to the grape's origins in the Traminer family.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
Connotes a specific, often expensive, wine choice associated with sophisticated dining or wine connoisseurship in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, restricted to wine-related contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gewurztraminer” in a Sentence
NOUN + of + Gewurztraminer (e.g., a glass of Gewurztraminer)ADJ + Gewurztraminer (e.g., an Alsatian Gewurztraminer)Gewurztraminer + VERB (e.g., Gewurztraminer pairs well...)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gewurztraminer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- This is a classic Gewurztraminer style.
- The Gewurztraminer characteristics were very pronounced.
American English
- We sampled a Gewurztraminer wine from California.
- The tasting notes highlighted its Gewurztraminer aroma profile.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the wine trade, hospitality, and export/import sectors (e.g., 'Our portfolio includes a premium Gewurztraminer from Alsace.').
Academic
Used in oenology, viticulture, and gastronomy studies (e.g., 'The monoterpenes in Gewurztraminer contribute to its distinctive lychee aroma.').
Everyday
Used in social dining contexts or when discussing wine preferences (e.g., 'I think a Gewurztraminer would go nicely with the Thai curry.').
Technical
Used in winemaking notes and grape genetics (e.g., 'Gewurztraminer is a mutation of the Savagnin Rose grape.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gewurztraminer”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gewurztraminer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gewurztraminer”
- Misspelling: Gewurtztraminer, Gewurztramminer.
- Mispronouncing the 'G' as a hard /ɡ/ (like in 'go'); it's a soft /ɡ/ or /ɡə/.
- Using it as a countable noun for the grapes themselves (e.g., 'He grows gewurztraminers') is less common; 'Gewurztraminer vines' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often made in off-dry or sweet styles (especially Vendange Tardive or Sélection de Grains Nobles in Alsace), many producers also make dry (sec) versions. The key feature is its aroma, not its sweetness.
The grape is most famously associated with the Alsace region of France, but its genetic origins lie in the Traminer family from the Tyrol region (historically spanning northern Italy and Austria).
Its aromatic profile and often slight sweetness make it an excellent partner for spicy Asian cuisine (like Thai or Szechuan), strong cheeses (Munster, Muenster), pâté, and dishes with aromatic spices such as ginger or cumin.
In English, it is commonly pronounced /ɡəˈvʊrtsˌtrɑːmɪnər/ or /ɡəˈvɜːrts-/. The initial 'G' is soft, the 'w' is like a 'v', and the stress is usually on the second syllable ('vurts').
A white wine grape variety used to make aromatic, spicy, and typically off-dry to sweet white wines.
Gewurztraminer is usually technical/specialist in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Gee, WURST (German for sausage) is spicy' → Gewurztraminer is a 'spicy' wine. Or: 'It's a WURST kind of wine for a TRAM ride in the Alps'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WINE IS A PERFUME / SPICE (e.g., 'The wine is perfumed,' 'It has a spicy bouquet').
Practice
Quiz
What is the core characteristic of a Gewurztraminer wine?