Comparison
Gewürztraminer vs Sémillon
How Gewürztraminer and Sémillon differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
Gewürztraminer and Sémillon come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Gewürztraminer has more floral character; Gewürztraminer has more aromatic intensity; Gewürztraminer has more spice.
Choose
Gewürztraminer
Choose Gewürztraminer if you want something more floral, more aromatic, spicier.
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.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Gewürztraminer is more floral: high against low.
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 low-medium.
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.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Sémillon is fresher and more acidic: 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.
Oak influence
Clear differencePerceptible impact of barrel or alternative oak contact — vanilla, toast, coconut, smoke, cedar and added texture.
Sémillon is more oaky: medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both medium.
- Tannin: Similar — both low.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
- Earthy character: Similar — both low.
- Carbonation: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Gewürztraminer | Sémillon |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | low (1/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Spice | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Oak influence | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | low-medium (2/5) | 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, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) |
| Tannin | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Serve at | 10–13°C | 11–14°C |
| Typical flavours | lychee, rose petal, ginger, orange blossom, allspice | lemon, lanolin, beeswax, honey, toast |
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
Sémillon
A thin-skinned, botrytis-prone variety essential to Sauternes and to a unique long-lived dry style in the Hunter Valley.
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