Find the key etiquette considerations on how to serve and drink Gewürztraminer and tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.

how to serve and drink gewurztraminer

What Gewürztraminer etiquette is

Gewürztraminer etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and drink Gewürztraminer wines. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow Gewürztraminer etiquette to appropriately serve it to your guests.

If you are a guest, respect Gewürztraminer etiquette rules to properly drink and enjoy it.

What you should know about Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer is a variety of white grapes. It is used to make white wine. Key producers are Germany, France, Italy, the United States, and Australia.

Gewürztraminer wines tend to be dry with a slightly sweet note. Their aroma can be very intense. Their bouquet includes floral notes and scents of tropical fruits. Such as lychee or passion fruit.

Etiquette tips to serve and drink Gewürztraminer

1) How to store Gewürztraminer

Store Gewürztraminer in a cool and dry place. The temperature should be constant. 

Place the bottles in a horizontal position. Keep them away from sources of heat. The bottles should not be exposed to direct light, natural or artificial. 

You can store Gewürztraminer in the fridge for a few hours before serving. 

Do not store Gewürztraminer in the freezer. It is too cold and will spoil the wine.

After opening it, store it in the fridge. Drink Gewürztraminer within three or four days. Do not keep it longer.

2) How to prepare Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer does not need decanting.

To prepare Gewürztraminer for serving, it is sufficient to chill it to bring the wine to its optimal temperature. Place the bottle in the fridge or a bucket with water and ice at least one hour before serving. 

Do not chill wine glasses in the fridge or freezer. The condensation can water down the wine. 

3) How to serve & present Gewürztraminer

Serve Gewürztraminer chilled. The ideal temperature is about 13°C (55°F). Colder temperatures prevent the wine from fully releasing its bouquet. Since Gewürztraminer wines are very aromatic, you should not over-chill them.

Present Gewürztraminer in its bottle. It is good etiquette to open the bottle at the dining table. After opening the bottle, you can place it in a bucket of water and ice to keep it chilled.

Hold the bottle by its body, never by its neck or cork. Serve Gewürztraminer in white wine glasses, which have a smaller belly compared to red wine glasses. Fill the glasses between ⅓ and ½.

4) When to serve & drink Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer wines can be appropriate for both formal and informal occasions. Such as a formal dinner or a drinking party.

Gewürztraminer is ideal for aperitivo or pre-meal drinks. You can serve it to accompany a meal, a barbecue, or a picnic.

5) Food & aromas to pair Gewürztraminer with

You can pair Gewürztraminer with meat. Pork, veal, or poultry such as turkey. 

It goes well with fish and seafood, such as lobster. Also, it is one of the best wines to pair with sushi and sashimi or with Southeast Asia recipes. 

Gewürztraminer can combine well with asparagus and tropical fruits. Such as passion fruit, coconut, and mango. 

The best cheeses to serve with Gewürztraminer are Brie, Emmental, Pecorino, and Parmigiano.

6) How to drink Gewürztraminer

Drink Gewürztraminer in white wine chalices. Hold the glass by its stem to avoid warming the wine with your hand.

Drink it in small sips. A glass of Gewürztraminer should last between 15 and 30 minutes. Never drink shots of Gewürztraminer.

Never add ice to Gewürztraminer. First, ice waters down the wine and its bouquet. Furthermore, ice is usually added to low-quality or cheap beverages. Thus, adding ice to the wine can be seen as an offense to the quality of the wine, and therefore to your host.

Gewürztraminer etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst Gewürztraminer etiquette mistakes. 

  • 10/10. Getting drunk.
  • 7/10. Drinking shots of Gewürztraminer.
  • 7/10. Serving Gewürztraminer warm.
  • 7/10. Not holding the glass by the stem. 
  • 5/10. Overfilling the glass.

Additional information for properly serving Gewürztraminer

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

Gewürztraminer wines contain about 79 calories per 100 ml (3.5 oz). An individual serving is a white wine glass of 150 ml (5 oz). It contains 118 calories.

How to buy the best Gewürztraminer

A crucial factor in Gewürztraminer etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Choose the best

Gewürztraminer grapes grow best in cool climates. 

Choose wines from Germany, the Trentino region in Italy, or the Alsace region in France.

The best Gewürztraminer wines are likely to display a quality certification. Look for IGT, DOC, or DOCG labels for Italian wines. AOC labels for French wines.

Alternatives to Gewürztraminer

Valid substitutes for Gewürztraminer are Riesling or Chenin Blanc.

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