Tips

How should Gewurztraminer be stored?

by Bestheim

Published on 05.26.2026

Gewurztraminer does not age the same way depending on whether it is a sweet, Grand Cru, or dessert wine. Its aging potential ranges from 2 to 10 years or more, depending on its aromatic intensity, residual sugar, and terroir. Before opening and after opening: two different approaches.

How long can a Gewurztraminer be cellared?

The aging potential of a Gewurztraminer depends on its style. At Bestheim, our Gewurztraminers can be aged for 2 to 10 years or more, depending on the vintage.

Sweet Gewurztraminer:

Chasseurs de Lune: 2 to 8 years
Rayon de Lune: 2 to 5 years

Gewurztraminer Grand Cru:

Mambourg: 5 to 10 years
Zinnkoepflé: 5 to 10 years

Sweet Gewurztraminer (dessert wine):

Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles: over 10 years

Why these differences in aging potential? Aromatic concentration, residual sugars, and the terroir of origin determine the wine’s aging potential. The more concentrated and rich the wine, the longer it ages. Sweet wines benefit from exceptional aging potential thanks to the sugars, which act as a natural preservative.

Simplicité - Gewurztraminer Chasseurs de Lune

Storage before opening: temperature, position, light

To ensure your Gewurztraminer ages optimally, follow these storage guidelines.

Ideal storage temperature: 10–14°C (consistent)

Ideally, store it in a wine cellar, a cool garage, or a wine cabinet. The temperature should be constant, with no fluctuations. If you don’t have a cellar or garage, find the coolest spot: a closet, pantry, under the stairs, a storage room, or even a pantry. But avoid the kitchen, areas near a radiator, or rooms where the temperature fluctuates significantly. Fluctuations accelerate oxidation and reduce the wine’s aging potential.

Do not store in the refrigerator before opening. The fridge is too cold and too dry. It is only meant to chill the wine 2–3 hours before serving (8–10°C), not to store it for months or years.

Position: bottles lying down

The cork must remain in contact with the wine to stay moist. A dry cork = air enters, the wine oxidizes, and the shelf life is shortened. There is no room for compromise on this point.

Light: completely shielded

UV rays degrade aromas and reduce shelf life. A dark cellar, a closed cabinet, or an opaque box. Anything but a shelf in direct light near a window.

After opening: recork, refrigerate, drink quickly

Once the bottle is open, shelf life no longer matters. The wine begins to oxidize. It’s impossible to completely stop the process, but you can slow it down.

Recork tightly. Use the original cork (if intact) or an airtight wine stopper (pump or lever-style). These systems seal better than traditional cork.

Must be refrigerated. Once opened, the bottle goes in the fridge. Upright or on its side—it doesn’t matter at this point.

How long after opening?

An opened Gewurztraminer will keep for 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Sweet wines, i.e., dessert wines (Vendanges Tardives, Sélection de Grains Nobles), last a little longer thanks to the residual sugars that act as a natural preservative. Expect 5 to 7 days. Sweet Gewurztraminers and Grand Cru wines generally last 3 to 5 days.

What changes after opening: The aromas evolve day by day. The wine becomes less lively, sometimes rounder, sometimes more closed off. If it smells like vinegar: it’s too late—the wine has gone bad.

A tip: open a bottle when you know you’ll finish it quickly. Gewurztraminer is at its best within 24–48 hours of opening.