An elegant Alsatian wine with exotic aromatics, delicate residual sweetness and an unusually firm structure for the variety – characterised by the distinctive limestone soil of Alsace.
Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Dense, radiant golden yellow with high luminosity
Nose
Orange, citrus, honeydew melon and vanilla; with air, peach, lychee, quince jelly, pear and delicate rose notes unfold – all underpinned by a fine mineral limestone character
Palate
Delicate, inviting sweetness with simultaneously vibrant freshness and a fine tannin structure – unusually refined for Gewürztraminer; elegant, well-balanced and highly drinkable
Character
Exotic-spicy with floral elegance, yet remarkably structured and multi-layered – far more complex than a typical Gewürztraminer, with considerable ageing potential
Pairing
Aperitif with salted caramel biscuits, turbot fillet in sesame crust with saffron butter sauce, Asian-spiced dishes or spicy cheese specialities
Notes
Grapes from top individual vineyard sites and Grands Crus on limestone soil; the limestone subsoil slows ripening, preserves acidity and gives the wine a firmer tannin structure – atypical and character-defining for this variety. Recommendation: decant and enjoy from large glasses.
Tasting note
Colour & Appearance
Dense, radiant golden yellow – a wine that already signals maturity and substance in the glass.
Nose
The nose is a feast of oriental opulence that never loses control. Initially, orange, citrus and honeydew melon explode, underpinned by a seductive hint of vanilla foam. With air, peach, lychee, quince jelly and delicate roses unfold – all resting on a cool, mineral limestone foundation that lends depth and gravitas to the whole.
Palate
On the palate, the wine reveals its most elegant side: A fine, inviting sweetness meets vibrant freshness and a remarkably clear tannin structure, which is almost unusual for a Gewürztraminer. Not a gram of excess, nothing overdone – here balance reigns supreme. The wine possesses an almost dance-like lightness that invites you to drink.
Finish
Long, spicy and characterised by fine minerality. The limestone whispers long after the final sip – a finish that demonstrates complexity and class.
Terroir & Origin
The grapes come from limestone terroirs on the foothills of the Vosges – soils that discipline the Gewürztraminer, give it structure and steer the aromatic profile towards spice rather than mere florality. The clay content in the subsoil slows ripening and preserves precious acidity.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Pure Gewürztraminer, harvested from young vines in premier vineyard sites and Grands Crus of the estate. The late harvest ensures perfect skin ripeness – the prerequisite for complexity rather than mere aromatic excess. Decanting and serving in a large glass is expressly recommended.
Food Pairing Recommendations
Ideal as an aperitif with salted caramel biscuits, with tartlets of sun-dried tomatoes with star anise and fried peas or with the elegant turbot fillet in sesame crust with saffron white wine butter sauce. The fine-grained structure of the wine makes it a reliable companion at the table.
Special Features
Zind-Humbrecht is regarded as a reference address of Alsace – and this Roche Calcaire exemplifies precisely why: A Gewürztraminer that combines opulence with precision and possesses ageing potential. Not a charmer, but a wine with character.
