Dry, aromatic Riesling is the undisputed star of the Alsace Wine Region. Set between France and Germany, the postcard-perfect region features rolling green vineyards irrigated by the meandering Rhine River. Base yourself in the cosmopolitan city of Strasbourg or escape to a fairy tale village in the Alsace countryside.
Things to do in Route des Vins d'Alsace
Wine tasting is a rite of passage in Alsace. Whether you sip Riesling in urban tasting rooms or embark on a full-day vineyards tour, you’ll be amazed by the unique flavours, aromas and textures produced in the Alsace Wine Region. In addition to dry Riesling, the region produces excellent Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer.
Tours are a great way to learn more about the unique terroir of the Alsace Wine Region. Guides will teach you how to detect signature aromas like peach, strawberries and cinnamon. Crémant d’Alsace, a sparkling white produced using Pinot Blanc grapes, is gaining traction on the international wine circuit.
Strasbourg is the perfect base to explore the Alsace Wine Region. Set on the banks of the Rhine, the city combines a medieval past with a passion for art, culture and cuisine. The Gothic spires of Cathédrale Notre-Dame tower over the city. Behind the red sandstone façade is a beautiful interior flooded with light from stained-glass windows. Cafes and bistros spill onto the cobbled streets of Grande Île, a photogenic neighbourhood marooned on an island. Centuries-old churches and colourful timber-framed houses have earned Grande Île UNESCO World Heritage status.
The Alsace Wine Region is peppered with storybook towns and villages. There are dozens to choose from, including the half-timbered town of Colmar. Canals crisscross the town centre and make Colmar feel like a miniature Venice.
Surrounded by emerald-green vineyards, Eguisheim is another gateway to the Alsace Wine Region. Regularly voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, it feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Colourful flowers spill out of window boxes and charming cafes, patisseries, bistros and wine bars are tucked away in centuries-old shopfronts.
Getting around Route des Vins d'Alsace
The Alsace Wine Region is easy to explore by car, bus and train. Strasbourg is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit different towns and villages in the Alsace Wine Region at your own pace. Trains run between Strasbourg and Paris in under two hours.