Alsace – the best of both worlds

Just like we ramped up in Germany, we ramped down by coming back to France through Alsace.   It is an interesting place.  It has alternated between being part of France or Germany depending on who was in power at the time, or who won the last war.

This was my first time visiting this part of France.  As our friends who live there say, it has all the cleanliness and order of German society, combined with the bon vivant lifestyle of France.  It was extremely picturesque and quaint.  We stayed in a town called Ribeauvillé, which is in the heart of the Alsatian wine country.  It isn’t considered the prettiest village which is laughable because it was right out of a story book.  Geraniums, exposed beams, peaked roofs… the whole bit. 

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna’s dear friends Chantal and Lupe.  Chantal grew up outside of Strasbourg and they now own an apartment in Ribeauvillé in addition to their home in Sebastapol.  It was our first time dining in a private home in France and I realize one of the reasons I like Germany so much is because we aren’t in restaurants the whole time.  There is something about sitting around someone’s table, and being hosted that is very comforting. 

Chantal and Lupe had great ideas for things to do.  Since we had only one full day we settled on a short list of activities.

First a hike up to the castle ruins above town.   It was the first time Auggie has lead the charge up a mountain.  I guess we just need to always hike to castles if we want Auggie to like it.

We watched a small wine outfit use their bottling machine the day we arrived, and by coincidence it was the same winery Chantal took us for a tasting.  Monsieur Wymann and his family have been making wines for generations. 

Finally, Bob and I headed over to Mette the local Eau de Vie producer to sample their products and find a few to bring home.  The list of flavors they make was pretty outrageous…. Ginger, star anise, and basil were some of their more unusual offerings.  Just trying to figure out which ones you liked best with the smallest of sips was enough to knock a person on their duff for the rest of the afternoon.  We ended up with the classic Poire William, as well as a small bottle ginger and a small bottle of the surprise hit of the tasting, strawberry.  Future dinner party guests, consider yourself warned:  The Gade house has refilled their schnapps stocks.  Look out.

Ribeauvillé and Alsace were very enjoyable.  It was humorous to watch Bob start sentences in French and end them in German, and funnier still that no one batted an eye when he did this.  The food was good.  Lots of vinegar based salads, smoked meats, and yummy cheeses.  The wines are delicious but after over a week, I’m starting to miss reds.  It’s all whites, all the time here.  Tarte flambee, or Flamenkuchen as it was called in Germany, is the local specialty.  When you order it they keep bringing you more until you tell them to stop.   Good thing they don’t do it like this in the states.

Our thanks to Chantal and Lupe for showing us a great time!