The vineyards in the Vosges area are dotted with small and magical charming villages.  One of them is Riquewihr,  a small town surrounded by its medieval fortifications with wonderful houses dating from the 15C to 18C, squares and fountains; just 80km south from Strasbourg,

The medieval village, known as the “Gem of the Alsace Vineyards” and one of the “100 most beautiful villages in France”, is in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route   These ancient vineyards form the core of the Grand Cru classification system of Alsace wines. Grand Cru means great growth and applies to private land parcels that have always produced the best grapes.  The area has two particular Grand Crus: the Schoenenbourg vineyard to the north of Riquewihr and the Sporen to the south.

Riquewihr  by CpaKmoi

STAY

THE LITTLE WOLF  Riquewihr.  Romantic holiday apartment with balconies, on the first floor of a Renaissance house built on the ramparts.  From 130 Euros a night.

AUX DUCS DE LORRAINE  16, route du Vin – Saint Hippolyte.  A traditional family run inn in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards, at the foot of Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. The hotel has 36 rooms – 4 suites, member of the Relais du Silence since 1984.  Prices from 80 to 180 Euros.

                                        The Little Wolf Holiday Apartment

EAT

LE SARMENT D’OR  4 rue du Cerf .  The restaurant features a large medieval fireplace, offers a tasty regional cuisine as goose rillettes salad and mushrooms, foie gras’ goose and Gewurztraminer jelly, veal kidney, fillet of beef with pepper. Menu 26-37 Euros.

LA GRAPPE d’OR  1 rue des Ecuries-Seigneuriales.  Excellent food and service.  Menus 20-36 Euros

As for wine trails around Riquewihr, the tourist office in has plenty of information about winegrowers and domaines in the area.  Domaine is the French name for winery or wine made from vineyards owned by the winemaker.  There are three domaines that worth a visit in Riquewihr, the Domaines Jean Becker, the Domaines du château de Riquewihr Dopff et Irion and the Domaine Trapet-Alsace, 14 rue des Prés.

Wine tasting  by rosebennet 

Related articles

• Wines of Alsace (blogs.vancouversun.com)
• Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle (ruepetitparis.wordpress.com)