Alsace wine region history books

I wrote it so that you can skip around and go to the parts that interest you without having to read all of it. The province of alsace stands like a flowerchild referee between germany and france. 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. 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. The search for the origins of viniculture by patrick mcgovern examines the earliest stages of vinicultural history and how wine is interwoven with human culture through centuries of change. In the 1600s, alsace found itself caught between opposing sides in the thirty years war, and residents asked france for protection. Pamper yourself in one of alsaces 7 outstanding spas. Around thann and guebwiller, the vines are mainly found on steep slopes and often require grape harvesters to rope up.

By the end of the century, the region was an autonomous protectorate of france source. The hills are generally richly wooded, chiefly with fir, beech, and oak. Why, in the land of living fairy tales, of course, where vineyards fade into watercolour distance, hilltop castles send spirits. The alsace regions touristic appeal is closely linked to its rich history. The first part of the guide discusses the regions, and explains the character and range of the wines. Weinbau in elsass is produced in the alsace region in france and is primarily white wine. Top 10 guide to the alsace wine route travel the guardian.

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. Understanding alsace wine w maps a detailed wine map of alsace, descriptions of the region s wine classifications and a chart displaying the distribution of wine varieties planted in the region. Compared to many other french wine regions, alsace grows a real hodgepodge of grapes. Visit alsace official website for tourism in alsace. 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. If you are looking for trinkets, the entire region is covered in storks. Following the french revolution, alsace was divided into two provinces. Alsace is a region in northeastern france that borders switzerland and germany. The wines of alsace some named in french, some in german reflect the regions mixed history. 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. The differences between alsace and such famous wine regions were brought into stark relief once louis xiv acquired alsace. Pamper yourself in one of alsace s 7 outstanding spas. As said before, alsace is a region devoted to white wines. 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.

It is a sparkling wine aoc that produces a shockingly good bubbly using the same methods as in champagne. With its germanic dialect and french sense of fashion, love of foie gras and choucroute sauerkraut, fine wine and beer, this region often leaves you wondering quite where you are. The alemanni was a germanic people that entered history in the 3rd, century. Alsace enjoys a mild climate, where the weather is rather cold but often sunny so sunny that this is frances driest wine region, with a little less than 24 inches 600 millimeters of rainfall per year.

This region is the only french wine region allowed to label its wines based on variety i. Visitors delight in the region s distinctive cuisine and superb wines. Cremant dalsace is the only aoc that allows the local chardonnay grapes, however most of the white brutstyle bubbly is made with pinot blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, auxxerois. Alsace is situated in northeastern france, across the rhine river from germany. Alsace is an aoc producing mainly white wines in the east of france by the german border. Alsace sits on the verge of france, with a culture, architecture, and cuisine uniquely its own. Alsace is one of the more fertile regions in central europe. Soon enough, it was discovered that the sundrenched hillsides could give great wines. The towns architecture is so rich now thanks to its wealth from wine production during its heyday in the 15th to 17th centuries. In 1870 it was passed, as a trophy of war, from france to germany, back to france in 1918, fell to germany in 1940. Alsace benefits from a semicontinental climate, which is mostly sunny, hot and dry.

Sampling the wine is a necessary part of visiting the region. Alsace has a truly exceptional setting for making wine. When alsace was part of germany, it was the southernmost wine region of the empire, explains muller. Explore alsace holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Hubrecht duijkers first book on alsace is, as the other books in the series, a perfect armchair companion to the region. Although wine may not have been invented in alsace, there is no doubt that it has been enjoyed in the region since immemorial times. This year produced some of the most consistently healthy grapes ever in alsace, translating into exemplary varietal character throughout the region.

The photographs provide a great documentation of alsace in the late 1970s, a little less wealthy, a bit more primitive but utterly charming. A history of the alsace wine region october 21, 2016 posted by julien miquel uncategorized although wine may not have been invented in alsace, there is no doubt that it has been enjoyed in the region since immemorial times. The region was originally populated by celtic tribes who founded argentorate now strasbourg towards the end of the 3rd century bc. Thirteen distinct terroirs make alsace a mosaic unlike anywhere else. The vosges mountains protect and provide alsace with a backdrop for some of frances most stunning scenery. Because of its germanic influence, it is the only appellation dorigine controlee region in france to produce mostly varietal wines. 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. This wine region and its wellpreserved traditions will fully immerse you in the heart of a picturesque alsace. The finest wines are magnificent, but even the ordinary quality wines are well made and worth drinking. In fact, it is so close to germany that you can travel by tram from the regional capital strasbourg, to kehl, the nearest german city, in just 15 minutes. A is becoming more important for export as general wine appreciation develops.

Frances alsace wine region seems a world apart from the rest of france. It offers visitors both neophytes and connoisseurs a wide range of activities related to wine and the vineyard all year round. Alsace wine region, wellknown for the alsace wine route stretches all along the border for 170 km. Between thann and orschwihr, the vineyards become steeper. The wines are heavily influenced by their german neighbours, and even the bottles share the same fluted shape. Alsace is one of the great, underappreciated treasures of the wine world. Already in the 3rd century, the forests were cleared and large scale wine growing was initiated.

The region has a unique heritage, as it has changed hands between france and germany on several occasions throughout history. 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. The grape varieties that grow there, for the most part, dont grow elsewhere in france. Please welcome the region of alsace, the 6th map in the france map series. What you need to know about the alsace region french moments.

But germanys influence means you wont get any dirty looks for ordering a beer. To complete the package, cremant dalsace is the sparkling wine of the region. But the history of the the wine rich region on the west bank of the rhine river is far from a fairytale. A small quantity of rose and light red wine is made from pinot noir. Both of these grape varieties are more commonly associated with german wines, and serve as a reminder of alsace s history. Protected by the vosges mountains, this picturesque region is singularly blessed with enviable conditions. Follow the scenic alsace wine route, pass through the traditional villages of mittelbergheim, barr, and obernai. The main importing countries are the alsace neighbours, plus the nordic countries in terms of per capita, where alsace wine is a fabulous food match. In 1870 it was passed, as a trophy of war, from france to germany, back to france in. Guide to the wines, villages and terroirs of alsace.

The quality of winemaking in the alsace region, especially known for its riesling white grape variety, is among the highest in france. Holiday guide to alsace, france, including strasbourg. Mar 25, 2019 alsace has a truly exceptional setting for making wine. With the decline of the roman empire, the region fell to the allemans, a people who would give it its language. Why, in the land of living fairy tales, of course, where vineyards fade into watercolour distance, hilltop castles send spirits soaring higher than the region s. 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. Cremant d alsace is the only aoc that allows the local chardonnay grapes, however most of the white brutstyle bubbly is made with pinot blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, auxxerois blended. 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. John brunton wine has been made in the rolling vineyards that surround eguisheim since roman times, and the history of the beyer family dates back. Alsace, in the far northeastern corner of france, stands out from other french wine regions thanks to its strong francogermanic influences. Today, many of the french who live in alsace have germanic names, and the towns have germanic names, but the region.

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. Famous wines of the alsace wine region there are many famous wines of the alsace wine region. The rich mixing of cultures has done the alsace well. The northern section of the alsace wine route alsace tourism. Alsace is a lovely and fascinating region of eastern france to explore, with impressive cities such as strasbourg and colmar, the alsace wine route to follow, historical castles set on isolated hilltops, pretty villages sitting quietly in the vineyards and forests of the region, and large areas of.

In northern alsace, the region of wissembourg and cleebourg is worth a detour. One of the few towns not be greatly damaged in world war ii, it still retains its original medieval charm and was the inspiration for the village in beauty and the beast. 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. Bounded by the rhine river on the east and the vosges mountains on the west, this is a green region of hanselandgretel villages, ambitious vineyards, and vibrant cities. Famous wines of the alsace wine region howstuffworks. In 58 bc, julius caesars troops conquered the region and brought with them the roman culture, built roads and imported vines. The museum at thann, the southern gateway of the alsace wine route, will help you understand these special wine growing. The alsace experience is based in the beautiful wine region between colmar and strasbourg, east of the vosges mountains and west of the rhine river and the german and swiss borders.

Originally a popular touring rally, it has become one of the jewels of the. Jan 11, 2018 alsace is the only french wine region to grow significant quantities of riesling and gewurztraminer. The region is also notable for being the first to name its wines after the grape varieties used. The massif of the vosges gradually gives way eastward to the plain of alsace, while to the south the region of sundgau in southern hautrhin rises to the jura mountains. Wines of alsace guides to wines and top vineyards book 8. When, in 1648, alsace became french, it became a northern wine region. Cremant d alsace is the fastest growing aoc in alsace. Centuries of successful wine production have built prosperous and colorful villages. Located on the german border, the alsace region is famed for its scenic vineyards and medieval villages. Indeed at some periods of history it was a part of germany and therefore the wines are not diss. Aug 01, 2016 the wines must be bottled in a tall and slim bottle called flute dalsace. For much of its history, alsace was elsass and part of germany. Jul 24, 20 cremant dalsace is the fastest growing aoc in alsace. Today, many of the french who live in alsace have germanic names, and the towns have germanic names, but the region is french.

Oct 03, 2012 maison emile beyer winemaker, alsace photograph. Although alsace is part of france, its borders have not always been clear. 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. Riquewihr is a fabulous array of stone houses, towers, cobblestones, shops, tasting rooms, and the largest halftimbered houses i saw anywhere in alsace. The books noted below each examine a different but unique angle of wine history and are worth checking out. Alsace wine region history and culture howstuffworks. Apr 01, 2020 the alsatian history of winemaking goes back to at least the 2nd century.

Travel through time at the castle of hautkoenigsbourg. Were exploring the wine road of alsace the route du vin. Alsace produces some of the worlds most noted dry rieslings and is the only region in france to produce mostly varietal wines identified by the names of the grapes used wine from burgundy is also mainly varietal, but not normally identified as such, typically from grapes also used in germany. The beautiful design and the authors enthusiasm catches the reader immediately. Somewhere in the region of 30 million bottles are exported from alsace each year. Pass through seebach or wissembourg and be seduced by this wine region that is located outside the classic tour along the alsace wine route. 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. Charming french village of riquewihr riquewihr is one of the crown jewels of the alsace region in france. Alsace s location also has cultural and historical implications that influence the style of the region s wines. The standard classification for alsace wine, alsace aocs make.