Domaine Rolly Gassmann’s Stegreben de Rorschwihr Gewurztraminer comes from the Stegreben lieu-dit, a stepped east / south-east–facing slope (“staircase of vines”) on about 5.5 ha at roughly 250 m altitude. The vines grow on very stony subsoils of oolitic limestone conglomerates from the Dogger formation, deposited by ancient torrents at the foot of the Vosges, which give naturally concentrated grapes while preserving acidity. Vinified with the estate’s usual slow, indigenous-yeast fermentations, the wine is typically medium-sweet in style, with pronounced Gewurztraminer aromas (rose, lychee, exotic fruits and spice), a rich, opulent palate and a long, mineral finish. It is an AOC Alsace Gewurztraminer that pairs particularly well with pâtés, blue and washed-rind cheeses and aromatic or mildly spicy dishes.
