ALSACE

Alsace is belived to be the oldest site to cultivate vineyards in France (since over 3 000 years) and, certainly one of the most beautiful.
Its famous vineyrads are mostly located along 170 km long Route des Vins d'Alzace. The wines , are regarded as the most finest of their type (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürtztraminer, vendanges tardives and selection grains nobles).
These wines which for historical reasons have a strong Germanic influence, are produced under three different
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlées (AOCs):
* AOC Alsace
* AOC Alsace Grand Cru (reserved uniquely for the wines from the best vineyards)
* AOC Crémant d'Alsace (for sparkling wines made by méthode champenoise).
Both dry and sweet wines are produced and often made from aromatic grape varieties.
Alzace produces some of the most noted Rieslings in the world, but on the export market, the
region is perhaps even more noted for highly aromatic Gewürtztraminer.
It is one of few wine regions in France to produce mostly varietal (mono-cépage) wines.
To be noted special, long type of the bottle, as well as typical wine glasses.
Not to forget about famous alzatian beer (biére d'Alsace). One may easily find here local micro-breweries producing beers following centuries old recepies and traditions.
Alsace is famous for its high number of picturesque villages, churches and castles and for the various beauties of its two main towns (Strasbourg and Colmar). All villages with typical houses, usually decorated with abundance of colorful flowers, are surrounded by picturesque Vosges with their thick and green forests and romantic lakes.

CHÂTEAU du HAUT KOENIGSBOURG
Since its construction in XIIth c. the Haut Koenigsbourg castle has been a constant witness to both European conflicts and rivalry between lords, kings and emperors. A number of illustrious owners left their mark on the castle's history, and successive events, even led to changes in the castle's structure.

COLMAR
For Georges Duhamel, Colmar was the most beautiful town in the world.
It has also often been said, that it is the most Alsatian town in Alsace !. Without going over the top with superlatives, Colmar undoubtely remains an exceptional town due to the wealth and variety of its historical and architectural heritage.

KAYSERSBERG
Whilst Colmar is supposed to be the most beautiful town in the world, Kaysersberg is regarded to be the most beautiful village in France !

ROUTE des VINS d'ALSACE
Over the past 50 years, the Alsace Wine Route has contributed to the success of Alzace wines. It has become famous the world over for its exceptional natural beauty, it simple course and for the instant connection its visitors feel with the region and its winegrowers. The Alsace Wine Route winds its way from north to south, for more than 170 kilometers (106 miles) along the eastern foothills of the Vosges.
This delightful itinerary leads visitors across rows of undulating, vine-covered hills, and through quaint villages with narrow streets and charming flower-decked houses clustered around the local church steeple.