Touring the Wine Road

05/11, Friday
Christine is off to work already. Francois has set breakfast for us with several delicious Alsacean breads. We had asked to see France's home in Ribeauville. They also have a son who lives in Paris and cousin Jack is his godfather. It was Christine's grandmother's home, part of the town wall with the front on the town street and the garden in the countryside. Francois has renovated most of the rooms, removing walls and updating the kitchen. It is a wonderful place and you can hear the rushing water from the river in the back and view the quaint town from the front.

Again, Francois took time to show us around this town. Christine's family originated here. Her father was a tailor with a shop on the main street. Like most towns, it has a wall around it for protection, and a second wall for greater protection. I guess you could never be safe enough!

Then, we headed out alone to visit several other towns on The Wine Road. Everyone of the towns are quaint, colorful, picturesque, set with a backdrop of the Vosges Mountains, and very tidy. Francois attributes Alsace with the best of both cultures, French and German. Most people here speak Alsacean as well as French and German.

The highlight of our day is, what else, a castle in Haut Koenigsbourg. It is another example of how the nobility lived in the 14th-17th centuries. It has been completely renovated and is still in the process. The stonework is all red sandstone.

We had dinner in Ribeauville outdoors on the street. It is a quiet town this time of year...not many tourists. Our meals were traditional Alsacean food. Mom had lamb knuckles and I had veal cordon bleu, with spaetcles and veggies, and two wonderful deserts (yes, we are putting on some weight I'm afraid).

Most wines from Alsace are white or rosé...Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Trannoir...and a bit sweet for my taste. Mom likes them though. The Wine Road passes through many vineyards. The vines already show new growth.