Our terroir, the very particular

Grand Cru Frankstein

Yvette and Michel's

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Grand Cru Frankstein:
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Our hills of Dambach-la-Ville, wonderfully exposed to the rising sun, are very different of all the other vineyards of Alsace. Our vine-stocks don't grow in heavy clay or in limestone, but in a very dry soil made of granite stones and sand. The Frankstein is situated on the old primary granite layer, just above the break between the Vosges and the plain of Alsace. This poor soil obliges the vinestock to fight with the nature, to soak up the dewdrops, to send until 20 meter long roots extracting the minerals which give to our wine his original taste. Since the ancient Roman civilization, the vine is planted in soils which are not rich enough for growing wheat. The "good" soils were reserved for grain, the too stony places were let to the wine. This disadvantage is becoming nowadays a demanded quality, because these specific minerals absorbed by the vine stock contribute to the development of the taste and aromas of our wines.

 

A piece of Granite near a stock.

a wine with a mineral character

In the stones of our 2 micas granite, we produce a wine, which is recognizable from all the other wines.

On the Frankstein, we grow RIESLING, TOKAY - PINOT GRIS and GEWURZTRAMINER.

The bouquet of the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Frankstein is of large aromatic richness. He offers scents, which are unknown in the other white wines, from the discreet violet notes to the strong emanations of acacia and elder tree.

His body isn't rough like the stones which carry the wine-stock, but soft like honey and sparkling like the micas. He fills the mouth and the throat like these exotic dishes described in the scenes of the Bible and in the oriental tales. But something essential makes a difference: he does'nt turn one's head.

The Riesling Grand Cru Frankstein, with his fine acidity, his aromas of white blossoms and of citrus fruits in his young years, expresses when aging some more mineral, also more austere notes. It is in the older Rieslings that the terroir of Frankstein finds his best expression.

Our Tokay-Pinot Gris Grand Cru Frankstein is fine and elegant. We make it rather dry, it is good in aperitif and ideal to accompany many dishes.

Rounder and more supple than the Riesling, the Tokay is full-bodied with an ample structure. It is a wine to keep, he will benefit from aging. Be patient: his particular "fumet" , smoke taste, becomes more intense with the years.