Alsace

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  Kaysersberg, Alsace, France
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Whereas my technical issues seem to have been resolved, internet access hasn't been an issue, I still haven't found the motivation to continuously update this blog.  In India it was a daily ritual, and I looked forward to sitting down and typing.  While we were in India we were seeing things that few of our friends had experienced, and I felt it was important to pass on what we were seeing(not to mention the sobriety thing).  Western Europe, obviously, is totally different.  Many of you have been here and had similar experiences, so while I'd like to offer a unique take on what I'm seeing, I don't think that I am looking at Europe through a unique set of lenses, simply seeing it as a typical american tourist and enjoying the pleasures of this part of the world.

Alsace was one of the parts of the trip I was anticipating most.  I remember taking European history tests in both high school and college and there always seemed to be an answer Alsace and Lorraine.  That combined with a taste for Alsatian white wine, has made it a place I've long wanted to visit.  I guess I would say that my instincts were right on, as Alsace is remarkable, possibly my favorite part of Europe.  I guess the most applicable comparison might be Burgundy, an even more reknowned wine region just a few hours away.  The wine grapes of Burgundy, the white Chardonnay and red Pinot Noir, are quite well known in the US.  In Alsace, the production is almost entirely white, and the grapes are the more exotic Gerwarzraminer, and Pinot Gris as well as Reisling, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc; they are distinct, delicious and more accessible(read affordable) than many of their Burgundian, Chardonnay based, counterparts.  The only problem was not enough time to taste as many as we would have liked.

The villages of Alsace are as picture perfect as any part of Europe.  We're staying in Kaysersberg, and visited Riquwihr, Ribeauville, Turckheim and Colmar, each a little different, each beautiful and unique in their own way.  Colmar, the largest, is a small city with a small medieval core, the others simply medieval villages surrounded by nothing but vineyards.  Walking down the street in Riquwihr I expected the guy coming around the corner to be dressed in armor, it was just that perfect.  An area not to be missed by anyone planning a trip to Europe.

Next we're off to Luxembourg and then back in to Belgium.

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Riquwihr

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