Pinot Gris or Gewürztraminer: How to Choose Between These Two Delicious Alsatian Wines?

The Aromatic Profiles of Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer at Bestheim

Two distinct aromatic profiles, two approaches to indulgence. Pinot Gris features smoky notes and yellow fruits, while Gewurztraminer highlights exotic fruits and spices.

On the nose:

• Pinot Gris: smoky, ripe yellow fruit, apricot, forest floor, hazelnut
• Gewürztraminer: lychee, rose, mango, sweet spices, candied fruit

On the palate:

• Pinot Gris: a balance between roundness and freshness, depending on the style (dry to sweet)
• Gewürztraminer: immediate aromatic intensity, consistent body, always sweet to very sweet

Pinot Gris: smoky and fruity

Pinot Gris is recognizable by its characteristic smoky notes and aromas of yellow fruits. Depending on the cuvée, it reveals different facets of this identity.

Our dry and semi-dry cuvées offer balance and versatility:

• Pinot Gris Exception: smoky notes (roasted), vanilla, toasted hazelnut, honey, and a spicy finish. Vinified dry with ageing in barrels, this is our most gastronomic cuvée.
• Pinot Gris Chasseurs de Lune: aromas of forest floor, apricot, and dried fruit. A semi-dry, round, and easy-drinking profile, ideal for everyday meals.
• Pinot Gris Rayon de Lune: yellow fruits, forest floor, and a hint of hazelnut. Also semi-dry, it offers a beautiful balance between body and freshness.

Our sweet Grand Cru reveals the full richness of the terroir:

• Pinot Gris Grand Cru Mambourg: the variety’s characteristic smokiness, juicy yellow fruits, and bergamot. A sweet profile with a structured, slightly tannic attack.

Which wines go best with your dish?

The choice between Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer depends on the intensity of the dish and the types of flavors it features.

Here’s how to make your choice:

With a Pinot Gris:

• Appetizers and starters: terrines, pies, fine charcuterie, pan-seared foie gras (see our pairings: which wine goes with foie gras)
• White meats in sauce: veal or poultry blanquette, fish in cream sauce
• Cheeses: Munster, Livarot (with Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives)
• Desserts: chocolate, fruit, citrus-pistachio cheesecake (paired with Pinot Gris Vendanges tardives)

Looking for more food and wine pairings with Pinot Gris? Check out our guide on what to eat with Pinot Gris to bring out its aromas.

With a Gewürztraminer:

• Asian and spicy cuisine
• Strong cheeses (Munster, Roquefort)
• Foie gras
• Rich desserts and pastries
• Complete Guide: What to Pair with Gewurztraminer

Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer: Two Noble Grape Varieties with Different Histories

Key takeaways:

• Two of Alsace’s four noble grape varieties, authorized for use in Grand Cru wines.
• Pinot Gris: native to Burgundy, introduced to Alsace in the 17th century, accounts for 15% of the vineyard.
• Gewurztraminer: Introduced in the 16th century, derived from Traminer, the quintessential aromatic grape variety.
• At Bestheim: Pinot Gris ranges from dry to off-dry, while Gewurztraminer remains true to its full-bodied character and tends toward off-dry to sweet.

These two grape varieties form the backbone of our range, from vineyard wines to Grands Crus. Pinot Gris reveals its characteristic smoky notes and adapts well to different winemaking styles. Our Pinot Gris Grand Cru Mambourg exemplifies this richness on limestone terroir, with remarkable depth and structure.

Gewurztraminer, for its part, asserts its natural aromatic intensity. On the same terroir, our Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Mambourg reveals an opulent expression of fruit, flowers, and spices. The Grand Cru Zinnkoepflé, thanks to its unique altitude, lends the Gewurztraminer an even more pronounced complexity. These two complementary approaches allow our winemakers to highlight the diversity of Alsatian terroirs.

Customer Questions About Alsatian Grape Varieties

Which wine is sweeter: Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer?

It depends on the cuvée. A Pinot Gris Exception (dry) is less sweet than a Gewurztraminer Chasseurs de Lune (semi-sweet). However, a Pinot Gris Mambourg (semi-sweet) and a Gewurztraminer Rayon de Lune have the same level of richness. The real difference lies in the intensity of the aromas.

With foie gras: Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer?

Both work well. The Pinot Gris Grand Cru Mambourg (sweet) or Vendanges Tardives offers an elegant balance. Gewurztraminer, regardless of the cuvée, delivers more aromatic intensity.

What is the difference between Pinot Gris Mambourg and Gewurztraminer Mambourg?

Same limestone terroir, two expressions, but not the same grape variety. Mambourg Pinot Gris reveals smoky notes, yellow fruits, and bergamot, with a slightly tannic structure. Mambourg Gewürztraminer unveils fruits, flowers, and spices, with a more pronounced opulence. The terroir brings richness and depth to both, but each grape variety retains its own aromatic identity.