The geography of the wine growing area in alsace is determined by two main factors, the vosges mountains in the west and the rhine river in the east. Feb 16, 20 a short film of the beautiful alsace wine region in eastern france. Incredible garden of nature and culture, the alsace winegrowing area is crossed by its famous wine route a unique trail with postcardperfect landscapes. But the history of the the winerich region on the west bank of the rhine river is far from a fairytale. By the end of the century, the region was an autonomous protectorate of france source. The wines are 90% white wines and they serve well for learning about the varieties the wines reflect the pure flavor and expression of the fruit character of the variety blendings are unusual in alsace appellations and labelling are simple from dry to sweet wines and with a good qualityprice ratio.
The first edition in 2012 was focused entirely on riesling, but it has now expanded to include all alsace varieties. This region is the only french wine region allowed to label its wines based on variety i. But alsace likes it that way and enjoys its small town ways along with its wonderfully unforgett. Alsace, in the far northeastern corner of france, stands out from other french wine regions thanks to its strong francogermanic influences. The winegrowing area nad the alsace wine route vins dalsace. These are the results of the region having switched back and forth between german and french sovereignty in recent centuries and are evident not only in alsatian architecture and culture, but also in the wines. Alsace is a french wine growing region that sits on the border of germany. The region is renowned for its wine alsace wine road, great food, and well preserved towns highlighting the 16th century architecture that escaped much of the devastation of world war ii. Colmar is the principal centre of the wine growing region, whose vineyards extend in a narrow strip along the lower slopes of the vosges west of the city. The proper etiquette for tasting wine at a winery in alsace, so you feel confident and comfortable walking into a winery.
W ine tourism is a tradition that has long existed in alsace, and many villages along the regions famous wine route celebrate the end of the grape harvest with wine festivals throughout october. The first traces of vine in alsace though only distantlyrelated to presentday grape varieties, grapevines existed in the rhine valley area long before man had appeared there. In its youth, alsatian riesling is dry, fresh and floral, but develops complex mineral and. Follow the scenic alsace wine route, pass through the traditional villages of mittelbergheim, barr, and obernai. The 11 things you need to know about wine from alsace. Holiday guide to alsace, france, including strasbourg. Riquewihr is a fabulous array of stone houses, towers, cobblestones, shops, tasting rooms, and the largest halftimbered houses i saw anywhere in alsace. Alsace wine region let terroirs travels create an intimate tour customized to your needs, or select one of our prepackaged value tours for small groups.
Ask the french what they think of alsace and watch them grow mistyeyed with nostalgia and affection for this most idiosyncratic of regions, which borders switzerland to the south and germany to the east. Visit alsace official website for tourism in alsace. Aug, 2019 but the history of the the wine rich region on the west bank of the rhine river is far from a fairytale. Both of these grape varieties are more commonly associated with german wines, and serve as a reminder of alsace s history. Famous wines of the alsace wine region howstuffworks. The climate is not extreme in any way and the fertile plain is lined with forests rich in game. The quality and quantity of frances favorite beverage ebbed and flowed over the years, but the 0s and the three centuries that followed were some of the biggest in wine production. Terroirs travels will design itineraries, recommend and reserve hotels, restaurants, transportation, english speaking guides, cultural activities, special events and so much more.
For much of its history, alsace was elsass and part of germany. It is a sparkling wine aoc that produces a shockingly good bubbly using the same methods as in champagne. Explore alsace holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. In 1870 it was passed, as a trophy of war, from france to germany, back to france in 1918, fell to germany in 1940. Cremant dalsace is a significant part of the wine production in alsace, with 18% of the regions vineyards used for this purpose. The grand crus of alsace are rich, honeyed even if they are dry and ageworthy. Because of this, the best sites in alsace are on the low southern and southeastern facing slopes where they get the most sun. Alsace history when the romans conquered alsace in 58 bc, they quickly established viticulture and julius ceasar himself claimed the wine made there was the best of wine produced in gaul. Alsace is a rich farming area along an incomparable line of communication, the rhine river. Although wine may not have been invented in alsace, there is no doubt that it has been enjoyed in the region since immemorial times. Frances alsace wine region seems a world apart from the rest of france. The alsace wine region produces some of frances most unique varietals and this smallgroup tasting tour from strasbourg is the ideal introduction for those short on time. The vineyards are concentrated in a narrow strip, running in a roughly northsouth direction, on the lower eastern slopes of the vosges, at altitudes of 175420 m.
Pamper yourself in one of alsaces 7 outstanding spas. The event is hosted in colmar and is now organised by the civa conseil interprofessional des vins dalsace, the regional wine body. The region has a unique heritage, as it has changed hands between france and germany on several occasions throughout history. The wines of alsace some named in french, some in german reflect the regions mixed history. Sampling the wine is a necessary part of visiting the region. The grape varieties that grow there, for the most part, dont grow elsewhere in france.
There are 15,500ha of aoc vineyards and 53 appellations 51 of which are designated grands crus. I have always felt that the region of alsace was the forgotten wine region of france. Alsace is one of the great, underappreciated treasures of the wine world. A short film of the beautiful alsace wine region in eastern france. Alsace, being a french wine region, is controlled by aoc law, with the region itself being divided into three aoc classifications, based on the style and quality of the wine. Apr 01, 2020 the alsatian history of winemaking goes back to at least the 2nd century. Renowned for its aromatic white wines, the alsace wine region is ideally suited for wine production, with a dry and sunny climate, complex geology, and rich soils. As an administrative entity, it encompassed the departements of hautrhin upper rhine and basrhin lower rhine and was bounded by the regions of lorraine to the west and franchecomte to the southwest. The region is long and thin, just like burgundy, with the region being divided between the north and south bas rhin and haut rhin. Colmar is the principal centre of the winegrowing region, whose vineyards extend in a narrow strip along the lower slopes of the vosges west of the city. This pretty enclave of fairytale villages in the lee of the forested vosges mountains offers a wide range of varietally labelled wines, of which the aromatic whites are still, despite global warming, much more successful than the light reds. Because of its germanic influence, it is the only appellation dorigine controlee region in france to produce mostly varietal wines, typically from similar grape. During the th and the 14th centuries, colmar was fortified and the wine trade was intense.
It offers visitors both neophytes and connoisseurs a wide range of activities related to wine and the vineyard all year round. Central to this landscape of rolling hills and charming timber villages is the renowned alsace wine route route des vins dalsace, a 106 mile journey winding through more than 100 wine villages, 19 of which host 26 michelinstarred. During a halfday tour, visit 2 wineries with tastings and learn all about the 7 main types of alsace wines. Launched in 1953, the alsace wine route is one of the oldest wine routes in france. The winegrowing area nad the alsace wine route vins d. Alsace wine region, wellknown for the alsace wine route stretches all along the border for 170 km. Top 10 guide to the alsace wine route travel the guardian. The french, the nazis, and the battle for frances greatest treasure paperback april 30, 2002. Tips that only a local alsace obsessed wine collector would know, so you dont feel lost when tasting wine. With the decline of the roman empire, the region fell to the allemans, a people who would give it its language. Jul 24, 20 cremant dalsace is the fastest growing aoc in alsace. Alsace halfday wine tour from strasbourg obernai expedia. Its perilous location on the border of germany and france made the area a tugofwar for centuries.
This initiative is firmly established and showcases the quality of alsaces classic wine. A major part of the wine was shipped to the netherlands. Alsace, historical region and former region of france, incorporated since january 2016 into the region of grand est. But what if i want to visit the alsace wine region too. The grand cru wines of alsace usually have higher minimum alcohol levels which require much riper grapes. At that time, the region was on the border between the roman empire and the germanic areas, called prima germania. Sep 29, 2014 nestled between the vosges mountains and the rhine river, alsace is a picturesque landscape of quilted vineyards and quaint medieval villages. The wines are heavily influenced by their german neighbours, and even the bottles share the same fluted shape. Nestled between the vosges mountains and the rhine river, alsace is a picturesque landscape of quilted vineyards and quaint medieval villages. Incredible garden of nature and culture, the alsace wine growing area is crossed by its famous wine route a unique trail with postcardperfect landscapes. Guide to the wines, villages and terroirs of alsace. The region is also notable for being the first to name its wines after the grape varieties used. Jan 11, 2018 alsace is the only french wine region to grow significant quantities of riesling and gewurztraminer. Aug 08, 2015 the region is renowned for its wine alsace wine road, great food, and well preserved towns highlighting the 16th century architecture that escaped much of the devastation of world war ii.
The most famous wine route in france proudly reveals its medieval chateaux and renaissance houses and the flowery lanes of its charming villages. Discover an aerial view of the winegrowing area check out our 360. For this guide well discuss what the major alsace grape varieties and styles of wine are as well as some history for. Alsace wine region history and culture howstuffworks. The towns architecture is so rich now thanks to its wealth from wine production during its heyday in the 15th to 17th centuries. A land of tradition and wine, offering a unique experience. Travel through time at the castle of hautkoenigsbourg. A unique border region and one of my favorites as it still has not been overdone with tourism.
The standard classification for alsace wine, alsace aocs make. In the 1600s, alsace found itself caught between opposing sides in the thirty years war, and residents asked france for protection. An aerial view of the wine growing area check out our 360. A history of the alsace wine region social vignerons. Therefore it is natural that alsace has always been attractive to nomads and farmers, settlers and noblemen. With bordeaux, rhone, burgundy, and champagne always in the wine media, alsace keeps cool and quiet in the background and lets the other regions make all the noise. Rose cremant dalsace is made exclusively from pinot noir grapes. Oct 03, 2012 w ine tourism is a tradition that has long existed in alsace, and many villages along the regions famous wine route celebrate the end of the grape harvest with wine festivals throughout october. Alsace benefits from a semicontinental climate, which is mostly sunny, hot and dry.
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