The series covers classic wineproducing regions wordwide and profiles the top producers. It was inaugurated on may 30th, 1953 during a car rally where two convoys took the road, one leaving from the very north of the alsatian vineyard, from marlenheim, and the other leaving from the very south of this vineyard, from thann. Unlike the rest of france, most alsace aop wines list the grape variety on the label, which means the wine will contain 100% of the listed variety. A tourist destination and a real geological treasure, we tell you more about the alsace wine route and the terroirs from which bestheim wines come. The first part of the guide discusses the regions, and explains the character and range of the wines. Basing ourselves out of centrally situated colmar, we explore the alsace wine region. Toutes les cartes et road books moto telechargez les roadbooks pour vos. Approximately 25% of alsace wine production goes to export.
Jul 22, 2017 the alsace wine road covers 170km of picturesque old villages in alsace, cultivated vineyards and mostly familyrun wineries. Preparing any supplies, booking any trips or vineyard tours, as well as mapping out an itinerary, will all be easiest from here. Ride the famous route du vin wine route through riquewihr, colmar and many other typical and charming villages of alsace. Thanks to an excellent geographic location, the alsace wine country produces wines of alsace with aromas appreciated around the world. Combined travel insurance motor breakdown cover winter sports insurance. The combination of her beautiful architecture and worldfamous wines gave riquewihr the nickname the pearl of alsace. The wines of alsace are overwhelmingly white 70% of production and all bottled where they are produced in a thin, green bottle, known as the flute of alsace. Sometimes, alsace winemakers just let the grapes keep on ripening and then make vendage tardive, or lateharvest, dessert wines. At many wineries you can taste the wine and buy directly from the wine cellar. Emerging from the forest, we enter the lovely, open landscape of the alsace wine producing region in france at a more relaxed pace.
That impressive number, however, is still less than three percent of the six billion bottles produced in france annually. Jul 24, 20 alsace wines give the tingle of brilliant acidity but also offer a rich texture from moderate alcohol some wines are 14 15% abv. Alsace wine route follow the route des vins in alsace. S tretching for nearly 170 km through lush green landscapes and charming northeastern french villages, the alsace wine route is prized for very good reason. A passionate winemaker in the alsace wine region getting. Search results for rencontre moto alsace wine country. A guide to the alsace wine route of france the sunday. The next chart shows how this is split as a percentage by country against total exports. If prowein had gone ahead this year one of the many highlights would have been the presentation of the 12 most exceptional wines from alsace as judged by an august group of experts, steven spurrier, rebecca palmer, kelly stevenson and our own roving editor in chief roger jones. Follow the romantic route des vins between strasbourg and colmar. The best lesserknown wineries on frances alsace wine.
The long and wining road explore the alsace wine route. If youre a wine lover, you must have noticed the many different trends in wine over the years. Colmar is in the heart of alsaces renowned wine region, making the commune extremely popular with. The wine route is a capricious serpentine which curves around the eastern slopes of the vosges mountains, peacefully winding round the mountains and passing through about a hundred wineproducing villages. The wine route is a capricious serpentine which curves around the eastern slopes of the vosges mountains, peacefully winding round the. The region also offers gourmet cuisine and has more michelin star restaurants than any other region, so make sure you sample the delicious local dishes as well as the wine. Petit venice, water canal and traditional half timbered houses. Nearly 40,000 wine acres here feature distinct terroirs. The area is also suitable for wine lovers as you travel you will discover countless vineyards over there. Alsace wine road cycle route marlenheim thann bicycle.
Alsace in particular is recognised for its many wines most of which are fresh, delicate whites, which can be explored by journeying along the alsace wine route. 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. Classic minerality and fragrance with a heightened citrus and tropical nuance. Cycling holidays in france alsace wine route 5 days. Alsace and the black forest motorcycle tour amt adriatic moto. There are so many beautiful vineyards and towns to visit. Aug, 2019 hopital civil hosts a 600yearold wine cellar beneath its floors, along with a wine barrel dating back to 1472. Situated at the crux of the alsace wine route and the romanesque road, rosheim is dotted with reminders of the romanesque period.
Pass by the museum of thann at the southern gate of the alsace wine route, where you will learn more about this special wine growing area. Next to the wine route of alsace, the cycle route follows former rail trails, parts of the roman road. Get expert advice, free shipping with stewardship, and more. The legendary alsace wine route winds between the rhine plain and ballons des vosges. Browse through the worlds largest online wine store at wine. From colmar to strasbourg and a handful of impossibly charming villages in between, i followed the alsace wine route route des vins alsace through this unique part of france, eating, wine tasting, and ogling gorgeous buildings along the way. Threehundred miles east of paris, at the foothills of the vosges mountains and near the border of germany, lies a wine region with fairytale charm unlike any other. In 1983, regulators created the alsace grand cru appellation, meant to signal particularly fine production of local wines. Once you have the basics youre ready to explore the wine route of alsace at your leisure, time and again. Alsace has 51 grand cru wines, reflecting the complexity and richness of the alsace wine growing region. It also means enjoying a comprehensive offer during your stay, which includes the best of alsace. Like a five yearold at disneyland, the alsace wine lovers dilemma is where to begin the ride.
Arrive in colmar the day before the start of this alsace road trip. 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. The southern alsace vineyard is so steep that the wine growers sometimes have to use ropes during the harvest. Wineries in alsace produce wines under three major aocs. It runs alongside many walking trails through vineyards, medieval villages, wineries, and castles. As such, when visiting alsace, both german and french architectural styles are present. Feb 23, 2019 alsace is a wine region in france, known for its affordable.
Top 10 guide to the alsace wine route france holidays the. Alsace is located in easternmost part of france in a valley along the rhine river, famous for its german influenced white wines. Full guide to planning your alsace wine route trip big world. This guide discusses the wines of alsace, extending from strasbourg to south of colmar, including the grand crus, and covering all seven grape varieties. When i finally returned, i wasnt going to miss the chance to explore alsace more fully. Thanks to a lush environment, an outstanding climate and the exceptional geological diversity of the soils, an incomparable range of wines. An early export commodity between 1200 and 1600 ad, alsace wine began to achieve remarkable quality and was exported all over the world, particularly to the netherlands, scandinavia and. Visit historic colmar, the jewel of the alsace eurotunnel le shuttle. Late model motorcycle with lockable hard luggage and tank bags plus a third party liability insurance and comprehensive vehicle insurance. The alsace region is famous for its wine and its beautiful villages. Alsace aoc for white, rose and red wines, alsace grand cru aoc for white wines and cremant d alsace aoc for sparkling wines. A guide to the alsace wine route of france summerblue ville france.
Storybook villages in alsace, france the world is a book. More generally, two words dominate the minds of those who visit the villages of alsace, fairytale and dream and not unjustly. We have a lot of highclass wines in alsace, known for their pureness and richness thanks to the terroir. In fact, many people come here while journeying along the alsace wine route, which stretches from strasbourg in the north to mulhouse in the. Alsace wine route visits and discoveries official website. If your goal is to have a relaxing vacation, a slow trip through wine country is hard to beat. Top 10 guide to the alsace wine route france holidays. I loved the region for the mountains, beautiful chateaux, amazing architecture, ancient buildings, fabulous food, wonderful wine, friendly people, gorgeous old towns like colmar, riquewirh, ribeauville, bergheim and so many more, wine routes and vineyards a bientot janine. A drive through hundreds of small villages along the alsatian wine route with their halftimbered buildings adorned with colorful flower boxes, pastel painted homes, fountains, steeples and. It produces some of frances most distinctive mostly white wines, from riesling to gewurtztraminer and pinot noirand its local winstubs wine cellarstaverns have a distinctive charm all their own, often serving both regional. Your first stop on the alsace wine route is the medieval old town of obernei. There are more than wineries in alsace france, split into five regions. Road trip moto week end alsacealsace francetravel rewardsreisen in. The best lesserknown wineries on frances alsace wine route.
Discover the scenic alsace wine route french moments. Best alsace towns to visit on a road trip alsace travel. To date some 50 vineyard sites around the region have been designated alsace grand cru. The alsace wine route is frances oldest wine route and an endless source of surprises and new experiences for a truly exceptional time. Route des vins dalsace les balades a moto communautaires. Power and richness with restrained tension that lingers on. Running north to south through alsace, this legendary route is ideal to take at your own pace, stopping off. The alsace wine route is actually the oldest wine route in france. A mythical itinerary, a string of picturesque villages, outstanding landscapes, famous winegrowing villages, passionate winegrowers. Enjoy the beautiful panoramas of the rhine valley and the black forest.
This space is now a museum where the vitners of alsace are allowed to mature their. Germany and france went to war over the ownership of this wine producing region. Pearls of the alsace wine route bike tour france switzerland. A few steps further and you find yourself in front of st peter and st pauls church, a gem. The wine road in alsace is about 170 km long and goes from marlenheim to thann. Alsace produces some of the best wines in france, such as pinot gris, riesling and gewurztraminer. Born in alsace, he began collecting wine in his teensand now, with over 10,000 bottles and 500 references, his natural passion for unearthing alsatian wines serves his guests well. Nestling deep among the vineyards, the typical style of their buildings and their rich heritage make for a series of nottobemissed stops during your stay. A passionate winemaker in the alsace wine region getting on.
Launched in 1953, the alsace wine route passes through all of the alsace winelands. Along with austria and germany, it produces some of the most noted dry rieslings in the world as well as highly aromatic gewurztraminer wines. Support van for luggage, souvenir purchases and 1 or 2 passengers. Colmar, the heart of alsace s wine country, offers just about everything typically alsatian and yet is large enough for serious shopping and quaint enough for romantic strolling. Alsace wine or alsatian wine is produced in the alsace region in france and is primarily white wine.
Book your alsace wine route bike tour france switzerland here. Download ballades of olde france, alsace, and olde holland. The alsace wine route is a unique destination where landscapes of plains, mountains and vineyards blend together. Alsace wine route a guide to alsatian wines in france. Sep 20, 2012 and so ended our alsace food and wine road trip. Alsace is a region blessed with a rich wine history. From strasbourg to colmar passing through the famous alsatian wine route route. Secondbottle presents alsace wineries you need to visit. The ultimate alsace wine route itinerary french moments.
These include the maison romane roman esque house, which is considered as one of the oldest civilian buildings in alsace. Experience medieval towns of french alsace, ride german alpine road, mountain. Curving back roads link the smaller villages along the alsace wine route, which means it is easy to visit many of them on a day trip, although strasbourg and colmar are worth more time and are more directly linked on the a35, if youre driving. Alsace wine route follow the route des vins in alsace, france. Our family hotel family brand is located in the traditional village of zellenberg along the alsace wine route and offers an unrestricted view over the. 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. The producers in alsace do not use oak aging to add spice and richness, instead they rely on a balance of ripeness and alcohol to fill out the flavor.
Come to see us to discover french wine in a fun and informative way. All of these wines are from outstanding terroirs, where the geology, climate and exposure combine to produce an exceptional synergy. Mar 01, 2019 catherine shares how to explore the alsace wine route by car including the best cities and villages to visit along the way and the best accommodations on the alsace wine route, in grand est, france. Located along the alsace wine route, only 5km from colmar. From strasbourg, take the direction to saverne and reach the north gate of the alsace. Nov, 2018 consider, she said, that 150 million bottles per year are produced in alsace, but it is only a tiny wine region. Relaxed biking crossing the hilly alsatian wine country by quiet country roads. In the evening, motor in to stuttgart and checkin to your local base, the graf. The legendary 170kmlong alsace wine route passes through a string of picturesque villages, wellknown wine producing towns and exceptional landscapes.
Sep 09, 2016 alsace aop makes up about 74% 2015 of the regions wine production and it is nearly all white wine. Apr 06, 2020 dirlercade alsace grand cru saering riesling, 2017 grapefruit and a hint of petroleum come through on the nose with a play between finesse and power. The landscape between thann and orschwihr is a more arduous challenge for visitors. Because of its germanic influence, it is the only appellation dorigine controlee region in france to produce mostly varietal wines, typically from similar grape varieties to those used in german wine. You are on your way to riquewihr, a medieval town, located in the heart of the alsatian wine region. A drive through hundreds of small villages along the alsatian wine route with their halftimbered buildings adorned with colorful flower boxes, pastel painted homes, fountains, steeples and vineyards and will evoke many a brothers grimm fable. Les routes sont assez sympas et les paysages plutot. A wine tasting will also help you distinguish between a dry riesling and tannic pinot gris. From the author of the good wine guide, this book not only provides profiles of 300 producers and every style of alsace wine, it also analyzes all 118 wine villages, 51 grand crus, 84 lieuxdits. Guide to the wines, villages and terroirs of alsace. Stop off in some of the most beautiful wine growing towns and villages along the alsace wine route.
The alsace wine road the alsace wine route is a unique destination where landscapes of plains, mountains and vineyards blend together. Aug 08, 2014 in fact, greek wine amphoras found in gothic chieftain burial mounds suggest that alsace wine was consumed in the region as long ago as 500 bc. Stop in a cozy village full of halftimbered houses, nice shops and terrace. 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. Book one of our stunning private rooms and learn about wine in a absolutely. You can explore the wine growing regions of alsace on board a luxury hotel barge, perfect for discovering the delights of the region via its. Leon beyer alsace grand cru pfersigberg riesling, 2011. 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. From the author of the good wine guide, this book not only provides profiles of 300 producers and every style of alsace wine, it also analyzes all 118 wine villages, 51 grand crus, 84 lieuxdits, read more. The alsace wine route, where wine becomes a voyage of discovery. Wondering what some of the top things to in alsace, france is. Quelques beaux virolos au sein du parc naturel des vosges du nord qui viennent dynamiser notre petit circuit.
150 838 352 1089 1221 1038 663 93 633 844 246 221 793 344 35 1455 684 388 253 1289 1070 1012 1329 1193 189 8 1295 938