Domaine Rolly-Gassmann Late Harvest Gewürztraminer de Rorschwihr 2005

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

Produced in the small town of Rorschwihr since 1611, this wine has a delightful pale yellow coloration and immediately noticeable floral and citrus scents. Lychee, in particular, stands out. This wine is of medium sweetness, with a full body and low acidity. It is very soft on the palate with a flavor blend of orange blossom, peach, and citrus peel. Its finish is long, with a bit of an oily texture.

PAIRINGS

Gewürztraminer is an aromatic wine that pairs perfectly with Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. This is a wine that invites you to step away from Western European traditional cuisine.

Nuts and dried fruits served alongside roasted meats are a fair descriptor for many promising dishes to eat with this wine. Highly spiced herbs and aromatic herbs like cayenne, ginger, turmeric, Sichuan peppers, bay leaf, and coriander are some examples of seasonings that will be brought to full promise. As for cheeses, this wine favors the less stinky cheeses, preferring delicately flavored soft-rind cow’s milk varieties.

RESISTANCE AGAINST CLASSIFICATION

Villages like Rorschwihr in the Alsace region produce wines that are not part of the AOC Grand Cru system. To wineries like Rolly-Gassmann, being part of that system would mean giving up their individual character and the thousand years of heritage that have gone into the development of their wines, only to be lumped into a single regional appellation. Twenty-one specific winemaking sites exist in the Alsace region, all purveyors of exceptional wine—no labels of classification required.

Store your unopened bottle in a cool, dry, and dark place safe from constant vibration. Keep your bottle horizontal in a wine rack or cellar to retain the moistness of the cork. The ideal temperature for storage is between 7 to 15°C. Once opened, a bottle will be good for 3 to 5 days standing upright in the refrigerator.