Comparison
Gewürztraminer vs Glera
How Gewürztraminer and Glera differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Gewürztraminer has more spice; Glera has more carbonation; Gewürztraminer has more body.
Choose
Gewürztraminer
Choose Gewürztraminer if you want something spicier, fuller and richer, fruitier.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Gewürztraminer is spicier: medium-plus against low.
Carbonation
Clear differenceDissolved carbon dioxide, from completely still through lightly prickly to fully sparkling.
Glera is more sparkling: medium-plus against low.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Gewürztraminer is fuller and richer: medium-plus against low-medium.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Gewürztraminer is fruitier: high against medium.
Aromatic intensity
Clear differenceHow strongly the wine smells before it is tasted. Some grapes are intrinsically aromatic; others express mainly on the palate.
Gewürztraminer is more aromatic: high against medium.
Perceived freshness
Clear differenceThe overall impression of liveliness — a composite of acidity, alcohol balance, fruit character and the absence of tiredness. Distinct from raw acidity: a wine can be high in acid yet taste heavy.
Glera is fresher: medium-plus against low-medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Tannin: Similar — both low.
- Oak influence: Similar — both low.
- Savoury character: Similar — both low-medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
- Earthy character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Gewürztraminer | Glera |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | low-medium (2/5) |
| Sweetness | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Acidity | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Floral character | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Tannin | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Oak influence | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Savoury character | low-medium (2/5) | low-medium (2/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 10–13°C | 7–10°C |
| Typical flavours | lychee, rose petal, ginger, orange blossom, allspice | green apple, white peach, pear, honeysuckle, melon |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Gewürztraminer
The most unmistakably aromatic white variety: lychee, rose and ginger, with low acidity and often a touch of sweetness.
Grape
Glera
The grape of Prosecco: neutral, floral and low in acid, designed for tank-method sparkling wine.
Comparison
Gewürztraminer vs Riesling
Both are Alsace aromatics — which suits spicy food better?