If you’re a white wine lover, you may be wondering about the difference between Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Riesling is known for its high acidity and lower alcohol levels. Gewürztraminer tends to have lower acidity but higher alcohol content.
RIESLING HISTORY Riesling is a pretty old grape variety, dating back to the 1400s. It’s actually the offspring of Gouais Blanc, the parent grape of other popular wines like Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.
GEWÜRZTRAMINER HISTORY Compared to Riesling, Gewürztraminer (pronounced “guh-vertz-trah-mee-ner”) is a much younger grape. Official records of Gewürztraminer winemaking date back to 1827 in Germany.
GROWING RIESLING Riesling thrives in a cooler climate. These vines are tough, surviving the harsh conditions of cold winters. Plus, they bud late, avoiding damage from spring frosts.
GROWING GEWÜRZTRAMINER Like Riesling, Gewürztraminer grapes do better in cooler climates. But in this case, it’s because they’re early ripeners. That means sugar levels can get pretty high in warm regions.