Alsace :

This is the most Germanic region of France - although at times it has been the most French region of Germany. Alsace is one of those border regions of Europe that has been so disputed by warring armies that it has changed hands many times. Between the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the end of the First World War in 1918 Alsace was German. Family names here tend to be Germanic, and so does the food - although it and the wine both have French finesse and style. The little village of Kientzheim, shown here, is typical of Alsace: half-timbered houses of the Hansel-and-Gretel school of architecture abound. So do window boxes of geraniums: the Alsatians take pride in making their villages among the prettiest in France.

Alsace is a land blessed with perfect conditions for wine production : sunshine, dry weather and fertile soil. The Romans first introduced the vine to Alsace during their conquests. By the end of the first millenium, there were already 160 winegrowing localities.In the Middle Ages, Alsace wines were among the most renowned and expensive wines in all Europe. Even in those early days, growers set themselves rigorously high standards of production and selection, in order to protect the reputation of Alsace wines.However, in the 17th century, war, pillaging and plague brutally destroyed the prosperity of Alsace and decimated the population.. l'Alsace. La population est décimée. The following two centuries brought great hardship and devastation. During this period, Alsace was under German rule from 1870 to 1918. After the end of the first world war, quality wine production began again.Traditional vines were replanted and producers set about their work. The AOC system then being introduced elsewhere in France was enthusiastically adopted by Alsace winegrowers. These rules of quality were further refined in 1945, clearly delimitating the region of production and strictly defining production methods.Finally, in 1962, Alsace was awarded AOC quality status by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine.This was followed by two further Appellations : AOC Alsace Grand Cru in 1975 and AOC

Alsace Grape Varieties
Sylvaner - light, fresh and fruity.
Pinot Blanc - well-balanced, supple and racy.
Riesling - triumph of the Alsace vineyars, delicate fruitiness and fine bouquet.
Muscat d'Alsace - dry, an inimitable fresh grape taste.
Pinot Gris - opulent and robust, at its best with the finest cuisine.
Gewurztraminer - robust, full-bodied, marvalous flavour and bouquet.
Pinot Noir - dry red or rosé wine, its typical fruitiness calls to mind cherry.

The 3 Appellations d'Origine Contrôlées
AOC Alsace : Alsace wines usually bear the name of the grape variety from which they are made (Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, aso.)
AOC Alsace Grand Cru : they are obliged to show the name of the grape variety, and also the name of the vineyard where they were grown.
AOC Crémant d'Alsace : a sparkling wine produced by the Champagne method, using mainly the Pinot varieties.

For more information on Alsace Wines
http://www.vinsalsace.com/histoire_uk.html
http://www.alsace-info.com/english/tourisme/vins/index.html

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