Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer is one of the most instantly recognisable white varieties, known for its intensely perfumed aromas of lychee, rose petal, and warm spice that make it easy to identify in a blind tasting. Alsace, in northeastern France, is generally considered its spiritual home, producing both dry and off-dry styles with real weight and texture despite the grape's naturally low acidity. New Zealand has taken to the variety well, particularly in cooler pockets of Marlborough and Hawke's Bay, where producers lean into its aromatic intensity while keeping the sweetness in check. If Alsace specifically interests you, Alsace Wine covers the region's other specialties. For aromatic whites more broadly, Riesling is worth a look.