Pinot noir is the only red variety allowed in alsace, period. Check out a clickable map, information, and related resources. A guide to alsace varietals from the official us site of alsace wines, with descriptions of appearance, aroma, taste, and pairing suggestions. The alsace wine route is a symbol for the alsace region. The germans believe the mountains are the natural border, while the french think its the river. The alsace wine route is 170 kilometres long and was inaugurated in 1953. The experience is not just about the wine tasting alsace and all the delicious alsace wines to buy, you really get a full day out in the culture of alsace. Visit our web pages and have a look at our mustsee events. The 170kilometre alsace wine route is an ideal playground and discovery park for fans of bicycle tourism. Other grapes like pinot blanc, auxerrois, and chasselas also crop up. Alsace is an appellation created in 1962,although there has been viticulture here since at least the medieval period,producing mainly white wines though this one is a red in the east of france by the german border.
Wines of alsace guides to wines and top vineyards book 8. Alsace wine route follow the route des vins in alsace. As a european crossroad, alsace invites you to travel with a motorcycle. At first sight, the alsatian wine route offers a true picturepostcard image. Beginning just outside strasbourg and extending southward for almost 70 miles through the wooded slopes and hills of the vosges mountains near frances the eastern border with germany and switzerland, the alsace wine road route des vins dalsace has been a noted wine growing region since the middle ages. This route is known for its many vineyards and beautiful villages and is a mustsee when visiting the region of alsace. There are many cycle routes leading from the north to the south of the region, including the 99kilometre bicycle tour from the wine route to ried, which promises unforgettable. Alsace is known for its white wines, and its extremely dry riesling. Located in the east of france, alsace is nestled between the border of germany and the vosges mountains. Almost all alsace wine is produced under one of the regions three aoc designationsalsace, alsace grand cru and cremant dalsace. Driving in alsace a road trip in the gorgeous french wine. There are no fewer than 46 of these wine trails in alsace, winding their way through the heart of the vines. The alsace wine road, one of the oldest in france, celebrated its 60 th anniversary in 20.
Alsace and the black forest motorcycle tour amt adriatic moto. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Some 92 per cent of alsace and alsace grand cru wines are dry, aromatic whites. Like the alsace wine route, the veloroute starts in marlenheim, in the heart of the couronne dor where the vineyards sit amongst cereal fields and fruit trees. Alsace wine road route des vins alsace touring white. Beginning just outside strasbourg and extending southward for almost 70 miles through the wooded slopes and hills of the vosges mountains near. The wine region of alsace cultivates its festive tradition. Discover the scenic alsace wine route french moments. Toutes les balades moto en hautrhin les balades a moto. Auxerrois rarely seen on wine labels, but very much present in wines legitimately labelled as pinot blanc, to which this widely planted grape adds substance chasselas now of curiosity value only in. Updated and revised, with new producers included for 2020, the guides to wines and top vineyards are the definitive guides to classic wineproducing regions. The route du vin in alsace rick steves travel blog.
So no better opportunity than renting a motorcycle for the weekend and spinning to discover this one. Jan 11, 2018 alsace, in the far northeastern corner of france, stands out from other french wine regions thanks to its strong francogermanic influences. The annual festive traditions have been anchored in the lifestyle of alsace since the middle ages. From strasbourg to colmar passing through the famous alsatian wine route route du. Learn more about alsace pinot blanc, riesling, pinot gris. Discover the alsace wine route by car alsace tourism.
Alsace marks the end of the grape harvest with a host of festivals in october, making it the perfect time to visit the vineyards and villages along frances famous wine route, says john brunton. This is a unique part of europe, straddling two cultures and the tour gives you a sense of how this position has influenced the culture and the people. The picturesque region has spent much of its history being fought over by france and what is today germany, having exchanged hands between the two nations many times over due to its strategic location. All alsatian wines are white except for pinot noir.
The nose is nice with slight lychee nut but also some tropical fruits. This region, between the rhine river and the vosges mountains, has historically been fought over between france and germany. At the same time, wolfberger celebrated its 111year anniversary with prestigious awards for its terroir and, more than ever before, for its place as ambassador for alsace wines. On the borders of the latin and germanic civilizations, alsace offers astonishing cultural wealth. It is the oldest wine route in france, it was established in 1953 by the tourist office of alsace. There are many cycle routes leading from the north to the south of the region, including the. Kientzheim to molsheim explore on foot route guides book 2. The alsatian wine route each of the 170 km of the wine route invites you to discover an area where life is an art. In the evening, sit and relax in the charming hotels along the route. The course of history has left its mark on the alsace, caught between two world wars, two cultures, and two often belligerent countries. Wolfberger opened its discovery space, a unique educational spot for. The most famous wine route in france proudly reveals its medieval chateaux and renaissance houses and the flowery lanes of its charming villages. 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 wines of alsace nestled between the vosges mountains and the rhine river, alsace is unique in france. The legendary alsace wine route winds between the rhine plain and ballons des vosges, a region dotted with colorful, picturesque villages. A land of tradition and wine, offering a unique experience for the visitor. Greetings hubby and i are planning our second trip to europe first trip to france. 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. Glad you are coming back to the great state of oregon. Sharing the sensibilities of both germany and france, michelin starred cuisine and revered white wine abound. An alsatian at the table from star chefs, this is a delightful essay on the pairing of food with the wines of alsace. Alsaces appellations are unique in france because the regions wines are labelled according to grape variety, as opposed to. It runs alongside many walking trails through vineyards, medieval villages, wineries, and castles. Alsace wine route follow the route des vins in alsace, france. Heres the plan, were taking the train into strasbourg with the thought we would stay two days before taking the train to dijon, ultimately ending up in beaune looking to do the wine thing. Alsace wines give the tingle of brilliant acidity but also offer a rich texture from moderate alcohol some wines are 14 15% abv.
The most convenient place to get a car is in strasbourg. Alsace wine tour the wine travel specialist bkwine. Support van for luggage, souvenir purchases and 1 or 2 passengers. The alsace wine route is a real treat for wine lovers, but it is also a great way to discover the alsace and its rich heritage. Hi, we want to drive the alsace wine route, using the scenic road. Jul 22, 2017 the experience is not just about the wine tasting alsace and all the delicious alsace wines to buy, you really get a full day out in the culture of alsace.
En route to discover one of the most endearing regions of france. Tourism on the alsace wine route official website holiday. Colmar alsace france tourist office the alsatian wine route. Thinking well need to rent a car here to be able to see all of the small villages along. May 20, 2012 the wine road in alsace is about 170 km long and goes from marlenheim to thann. Alsaces scenic 170 km wine road stretches from marlenheim to thann, along the sunny vinecovered slopes of the vosges mountains and connects charming burgs and winegrowing. Wines of alsace guides to wines and top vineyards book 8 benjamin lewin mw.
As one of frances top white wine regions, alsace produces terroirdriven wines with pure fruit expression. It crisscrosses through the alsatian vineyards from north to south and is undoubtedly frances most beautiful scenic route, featuring charming villages and countryside, which are characteristic of the foothills of the vosges le piemont des vosges. This route is known for its many vineyards and beautiful villages and is. Among the french community, this is one of the top routes to take if you are a a wine lover and b love great scenery. Driving the alsace wine route strasbourg forum tripadvisor. Its white wines are delicious accompanied with one of the countless local specialties. 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. Ref cn15 backroad cycling france the alsace wine route leisurely cycling through vineyards and villages on the border between france and germany.
Experience medieval towns of french alsace, ride german alpine road, mountain. It has nice tropical fruit with a slightly viscous texture. Alsace s scenic 170 km wine road stretches from marlenheim to thann, along the sunny vinecovered slopes of the vosges mountains and connects charming burgs and winegrowing villages. Alsace is an appellation created in 1962,although there has been viticulture here since at least the medieval period,producing mainly white wines though this one is a red in the east of france by the. Indeed at some periods of history it was a part of germany and the. The long and wining road explore the alsace wine route. Oct 03, 2012 alsace marks the end of the grape harvest with a host of festivals in october, making it the perfect time to visit the vineyards and villages along frances famous wine route, says john brunton. Alsace is known mostly for its white wines, primarily topnotch, mostly dry riesling, gewurztraminer, and pinot gris, but also very lovely and fresh muscat, sylvaner, and pinot blanc. Buy the wines of alsace classic wine library by stevenson, tom isbn. At many wineries you can taste the wine and buy directly from the wine cellar. It crisscrosses through the alsatian vineyards from north to south and is undoubtedly frances most beautiful scenic route.
It runs alongside many walking trails through vineyards, medieval villages. By walking along the winemaker paths bergbieten, dahlenheim, marlenheim wangen, traenheim or when climbing up the infamous scharrach hill, you can admire a panorama over the. Alsace, in the far northeastern corner of france, stands out from other french wine regions thanks to its strong francogermanic influences. Sample some of the best alsatian wines accompanied by great alsatian food on this cycling tour of alsace lorraine. Set off on a 170kilometre journey of discovery from north to south and stop over wherever you like. Aug 07, 20 the route du vin is the wine road of alsace. The alsace wine route is one of the most popular and attractive ways to explore the traditional villages of the alsace region, and to learn more about the wines that are produced. Part of the fame of alsace wines for over 60 years now, and known the world over for its exceptional itinerary and simple route, the alsace wine road makes discovering the region and the viticulturists as. Renowned for its remarkable and simple itinerary, the alsace wine route invites you to discover the region and its wine producers. So no better opportunity than renting a motorcycle.
Emerging from the forest, we enter the lovely, open landscape of the alsace wine producing region in france at a more relaxed pace. Top 10 guide to the alsace wine route travel the guardian. Road book gps moto from oberharmersbach via the kappelgrafenhausen rhine barge, you will ride through the bas rhin 67 and haut rhin 68 departments. From strasbourg to colmar passing through the famous alsatian wine route route. Dec 14, 2017 among the french community, this is one of the top routes to take if you are a a wine lover and b love great scenery. Learn more about alsace pinot blanc, riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer, cremant dalsace, and other varietals. Guide to the wines, villages and terroirs of alsace. The wine road in alsace is about 170 km long and goes from marlenheim to thann.
The tours in alsace are often subject to the road conditions. The ultimate guide to alsace wine expertise explore. The route covers more than 170 km as it traces a line from north to south broadly following the eastern edge of the vosges mountains, and crosses the southern half of. Late model motorcycle with lockable hard luggage and tank bags plus a third party liability insurance and comprehensive vehicle insurance. The alsace wine route has contributed to the fame of alsace wines for the past 60 years.
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