It contains practical knowledge that is immediately useful to help you find and enjoy better wine. The best books on wine five books expert recommendations. Traditional wine festival for the capitale of alsatian wine in the basrhine. The grape varieties that grow there, for the most part, dont grow elsewhere in france. The little alsace tourism book, alsace, the wine route isbn 9782915626216, has a brief write up of each village, from thann up to wissembourg, with pretty pictures. Floral and peachy smells fly out of the glass and many of the wines are unctuous enough to pair nicely with savory fowl, like roast quail. Frances alsace wine region seems a world apart from the rest of france. The pour silvaner, a lovely yet unloved spring wine, needs friends. This 600 page book profiles 300 producers, 118 wine villages, 51 grands crus. The book is divided into the different varieties of wine based on region. The village itself is considered to be located at the heart of the alsace wine region and is home to the grand cru frankstein.
The landscape of swiss wine, the latest book by sue style swiss. Central to this landscape of rolling hills and charming timber villages is the renowned alsace wine route route des vins d alsace, a 106 mile journey winding through more than 100 wine villages, 19 of which host 26 michelinstarred. Alsacebased sommelier romain iltis, who earned the title of best sommelier in france in 2012, says that alsatian pinot gris is like a white wine with a red wine structure because it has. Pinot gris rich, fruity, smoky and more understated than gewurztraminer. So whilst i love alsace, i will only buy the lewin if it is good. You will find a description of cities and villages crossed by the tourist road, a presentation of the alsatian vineyard. This book is well organized and perfectly suited to the readertraveller who is making a first aquaintance with the alsace region of france. Alsace wine region history and culture howstuffworks. Wine regions of france alsace now a tour company has paired alsace with champagne, allowing participants to experience two traditionsand arguably, two visionsof. On the borders of the latin and germanic civilizations, alsace offers astonishing cultural wealth. The most famous wine route in france proudly reveals its medieval chateaux and renaissance houses and the flowery lanes of its charming villages. A guide to alsace varietals from the official us site of alsace wines, with descriptions of appearance, aroma, taste, and pairing suggestions.
Around fifty marked wine paths reveal all the secrets of our most prestigious vineyards. Visit 3 wineries to enjoy tastings of the regions characteristic white wine including the riesling and. It offers visitors both neophytes and connoisseurs a wide range of activities related to wine and the vineyard all year round. It is easy to fall in love with this wine region where the picturesque village lie on a dotted line along the route du vin. The wine route of alsace seduces of entry the visitor in the course of its 170 km of route where blooms one of the treasures of the alsatian lifestyle. For those of you whove come to realize that white wine can be serious, then alsace is a region youll gravitate towards. Guide to the wines, villages and terroirs of alsace. The main animation is the great procession on sunday afternoon. They are supplemented by a dozen crosscommunity routes which invite the visitor to journey through the wine region on foot or by bicycle. The vosges mountains protect and provide alsace with a backdrop for some of frances most stunning scenery. Wine tours in alsace, france wine tasting holidays in. Discover its vineyards and traditional houses along the alsace wine route from strasbourg. Alsace is an aoc producing mainly white wines in the east of france by the german border.
Discover the three great grapes used in the region, as discussed by three of. Here,experience your first alsace wine discovery by tasting a selection of different wines including pinot blanc, sylvaner and riesling. In the medieval alsatian villages with their narrow, cobblestone alleys you will meet dedicated producers. Stunning memories from the millesime alsace week where wine experts from all around the world gather to taste and learn. Wine is nothing if not geography in a bottle, she says. London has gone natural wine mad this week, with the opening of the raw wine london fair. After a wet first half of the year, alsace basked in the sun along with much of the rest of europe, resulting in particularly good ripeness in the two pinots, gris and noir. The wine festivals each year, some villages celebrate the wine in a warm, joyful and lively atmosphere. Alamy stock photo the grands crus wine trail is a scenic 17km loop linking six alsace winemaking villages.
Hubrecht duijkers second book on alsace could have been the perfect guide book. Visitors delight in the regions distinctive cuisine and superb wines. Im keen to know whether he covers the new producers. The towns architecture is so rich now thanks to its wealth from wine production during its heyday in the 15th to 17th centuries. 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. Just picture yourself tasting some of the best rieslings in the world in a local winery or getting exclusive access to areas within the cathedral of strasbourg that are normally offlimits to the public.
Though its main focus is introducing the many wines which are produced in this area, i found it to be very informative regarding the history, architecture, and other main attractions of the local cities, towns, and villages. Wine and wine cellars of the ribeauville and riquewihr region in. The alsace wine region is one of frances most unique wine regions, famous for its riesling and pinot gris wines. A land of tradition and wine, offering a unique experience. Sep 29, 2014 nestled between the vosges mountains and the rhine river, alsace is a picturesque landscape of quilted vineyards and quaint medieval villages. Alsace book recommendations discussions discussion. It hosts the marathon du vignoble d alsace every year. This historical french region is home to famous wine villages. Pinot noir is alsaces contribution to the world of red wine. Its funny how you never tend to spend much time traveling in your own region, so as a resident of alsace, i decided to spend a day exploring the alsace wine route. Tourism on the alsace wine route official website holiday ideas. Alsace does have a little red wine made from the burgundy grape, pinot noir.
Top 10 guide to the alsace wine route travel the guardian. It also has floral notes and a whiff of the perfume of fruits such as mango and lychee source. Gewurztraminer spelled without the umlaut in alsace is the most famous wine of alsace source. The wines of alsace your guide to wine, beer and booze. Alsace offers charming wines of great quality and unmatched diversity. The rich mixing of cultures has done the alsace well.
Alsace aromatic white wines on the french side of the rhine riverthe border between france and germany,lies the region of alsace. Centuries of successful wine production have built prosperous and colorful villages. Casting hommesfemmes 1830 ans pour spots publicitaires et shootings photos. Riquewihr is a fabulous array of stone houses, towers, cobblestones, shops, tasting rooms, and the largest halftimbered houses i saw anywhere in alsace. Following the french revolution, alsace was divided into two provinces. Contemporary hotel located in the quiet nature between vineyards and forest. New illustrated book tells stories of 12 renowned vineyards. For much of its history, alsace was elsass and part of germany. On this private fullday tour from strasbourg, explore the alsace wine route at your own pace. Along with austria and germany, it produces some of the most noted dry rieslings in the world as well as. Alsace wines give the tingle of brilliant acidity but also offer a rich texture from moderate alcohol some wines are 14 15% abv. I seem to enjoy wine books, and i have three unread on my pile, including wink lorchs wines of the french alps, which arrived last weekend. The alsace wine route has contributed to the fame of alsace wines for the past 60 years.
Famous for its exceptional natural beauty, the wine route leads visitors across rows of undulating, vinecovered hills, and through delightful quaint villages with narrow. Alsace wine tour the wine travel specialist bkwine. Famous wines of the alsace wine region howstuffworks. The vintage chart stretches from 1992 back to 585 in alsace, french or german. The alsace wine route, one of the oldest in france, crosses these different wine districts. Launched in 1953, the alsace wine route is one of the oldest wine routes in france. Yes, you heard right, alsace, a regions whose wines are not exactly at the peak of wine fashion these days, and thats a shame. The alsace wine route is ideal for walkers and hiking enthusiasts. Wine enthusiasts guide to alsace by anne krebiehl mw tucked into frances northeast corner, alsace s identity has been shaped by centuries of being passed back and forth between france and. The landscape is distinctive too, with grand castles.
To paraphrase my late chum etienne hugel, a tireless promoter of his familys, and all alsatian, wines. Riesling was perhaps less classic, thanks to the softer acidities resulting from the heat. It can be very refreshing and can age for a few years. May 11, 2015 alsace is a famous french region, tucked away in the northeastern part of france, right on the border to germany. It was once notably light but in an increasingly warm climate its colour is darkening and it is taking on more weight. The digital version above is for personal use only. Alsace is one of the great, underappreciated treasures of the wine world. Take a look inside everything you need to know to be confident including tasting, handling, and food pairing. A region proud of its identity, alsace is a great wine making region. From marlenheim to molsheim, a few kilometres from the capital of alsace, lies the northern entrance to the alsace wine route. These festivals are a good opportunity for you to taste our best wines and to wander in the picturesque streets of our most charming villages under the light of the moon, like the colour of our white wines. Alsace has been a pioneer in wine tourism in france with the development of the wine route which has, over the past 60 years, contributed to the success of alsace wines. Search and book your hotel in colmar and its surroundings. Each day, new wine and grands crus are proposed for wine tasting, accompanied with traditional meals.
The wines of alsace faber books on wine by tom stevenson jan 1, 1994. In the medieval alsatian villages with their narrow, cobblestone alleys you will meet dedicated producers on terroirs tended by their forefathers since generations. Alsace aop, cremant dalsace aop and alsace grand cru aop. The best wine books, as recommended by the financial times wine critic, jancis robinson. Aug 10, 2011 alsace is a cultural hybrid with its germanic dialect and french sense of fashion, its love of foie gras and fine wine, beer and sauerkraut. This beautiful region, with picturesque villages that make grimms fairy tales. I think it makes it easy to remember the villages and their location along the wine route. 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. On the whole, alsace is overwhelmingly devoted to white wine production, upwards of 90 percent. Two names who wont be there, but who are making waves in natural wine, or vin nature as i prefer to call it in english, are domaine kumpf et meyer and catherine riss. Updated and revised, with new producers included for 2020, the guides to wines and top vineyards are the definitive guides to classic wine producing regions. It is great book for who are really into greek wines.
Originally a popular touring rally, it has become one of the jewels of the. The 10 best alsace wine route hotels where to stay in alsace. Its white wines are delicious accompanied with one of the countless local specialties. Wine 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 there are very good ones in eguisheim and turckheim this weekend. I f you dont know the wines of alsace, i suggest that you check them out, especially now that it is the height of summer alsace specializes in riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer and pinot noir, its lone red wine. Published by catapulta, the book includes stories from wine regions of bordeaux, burgundy, sauternes, rhone valley, rioja, tuscany, napa, mosel valley, piedmont, barossa and mendoza.
Dec 14, 2016 the best, and best value, white wines youve never drunk. Were exploring the wine road of alsace the route du vin. An alsace wine tour includes many of these sights and wines and will make for a memorable experience in the north of france. For me alsace is the greatest white wine in the world, its just that a few people in. Alsace based sommelier romain iltis, who earned the title of best sommelier in france in 2012, says that alsatian pinot gris is like a white wine with a red wine structure because it has. This 600 page book profiles 300 producers, 118 wine villages, 51 grands crus, 84 lieuxdits, 28 clos and 4 wineproducing chateaux of alsace. Cremant dalsace is the regions dry sparkling white wine, made like champagne. Visit our web pages and have a look at our mustsee events. The wines of alsace faber books on wine stevenson, tom on. Some of the greatest white wines in the world are produced in frances alsace region. There are no fewer than 46 of these wine trails in alsace, winding their way through the heart of the vines. Gewurztraminer alsaces most aromatic grape, with roses, lychees, honey, spices and all manner of exotic flavours. By the end of the century, the region was an autonomous protectorate of france source. Between vineyards and forest, on the wine road of alsace.
Alsace sits on the verge of france, with a culture, architecture, and cuisine uniquely its own. This tends to be quite lightweight, but can be delicious and interesting and more and more producers are now fighting this varietys corner, some even suggesting that pinot sites on top terroirs like the grand cru hengst are worthy of grand cru, or a new tier of premier cru status. The landscape of swiss wine by british and alsace based wine writer, sue style, published by bergli books in basel is the latest book to be. Discover 50 of the worlds top wines organized by style. Indeed at some periods of history it was a part of germany and therefore the wines are not diss. Discover the secrets of one of the worlds most famous wineproducing regions on this wine tasting tour of alsace from colmar.
There is also a wideopen range of sparkling wines made in the same traditional method as champagne known as cremant d alsace. With an informative guide, travel along the gorgeous alsace wine route to the pictureperfect towns of mittelbergheim, dambachlaville, ribeauville and riquewihr. From marlenheim to thann, it allows you to discover 170 km of scenic landscapes, from medieval villages and halftimbered houses decorated with flowers, to castles and roman and gothic churches. In the 1600s, alsace found itself caught between opposing sides in the thirty years war, and residents asked france for protection. Jan 16, 2018 touring the alsace wine region of france, tasting wines and gastronomy. The region of alsace, in the northeast of france, has a reputation to uphold. Once it was widely planted in germany and alsace and easy to find, but bad practices made for bad wine, which ruined the market. Alsace wine or alsatian wine is produced in the alsace region in france and is primarily white wine. Learn more about alsace pinot blanc, riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer, cremant dalsace, and other varietals. Wines of alsace guides to wines and top vineyards book 8.
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