European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Morning sunlight Breaks through dark storm Clouds Over a Vineyard near Rique Wihr. \ the French Vosges vineyards mountains and a War torn pasts amps photos by Jim Derheim by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer on i it it in Day the View from the High peaks of f Ranee s Vosges Region extends far across the Rhine Valley to the Black Forest and the Alps. It is an uplifting Prospect and clearly shows the Sharp contrast Between the Region s two distinct landscapes the ancient Vineyard lined Hills of its Eastern slope and the mountains and thic k forests of the High country. The Vosges defining feature is a narrow 15-mile strip of Hills and mountains stretching More than 1 50 Miles along the German Border roughly from Wisse Bourg in the North to Mulhouse in the South. In the West the mountains gradually merge with the Lorraine plateau and in the East they drop precipitously toward the Rhine. But the Vosges is not Only an area of contrasting geography. It is also a Border Region where the germanic and the gallic cultures meet. This fact is evident from the town names Wisse Bourg Kayser Berg Ribe Auville Turckheim St. Die be Markstein the dual heritage has Given the Region a distinctive cultural Richness that is reflected in its language architecture Art and cuisine. But it has also been the Root cause of centuries of conflict and bloodshed most recently in world War ii. The Section of the Vosges with the strongest germanic influence is the Eastern Edge the area i loses to the Border. This is one of the loveliest Man made landscapes in Europe. Because it has been settled and intensively cultivated for nearly two millenniums there is Little that is Quot natural in the far reaching vistas of orderly vineyards Small towns and Orchards. Butt is a harmonious blend of natural features and human alterations that Are a continual least for the eyes. In late fall the cold nights turn the vineyards yellow and Pale Green. On the higher slopes the Hardwood forests become a riot of golds reds and Browns and soon the peaks beyond Are frosted with Snow. On these soil poor slopes Are produced some of the finest White wines in the world. The fact that there Are Lew organic nutrients in the thin Stony soil makes them comparatively useless for Normal food crops. But it is actually a plus Lor grape Inos which a renowned local vintner Calls Quot Mediterranean weeds Quot that require Only water and Sun. Over the centuries the White wines of the area the Rhine s southernmost wine Region have been a liquid Gold natural resource. The wealth produced has brought Prosperity that among other things financed the building of castles churches and towns. One of the Best known towns is Rique Wihr a nearly intact medieval Village that today is not Only an internationally famous wine Center but also one of the Region s biggest tourist attractions Between 1.5 million and 2 million visitors a year flood into the tiny town whose population barely lops 1,000. Rique Wihr is loaded with excellent shops As Well As guest houses and hotels. But the biggest drawing cards Are its win stubs wine pubs and the Many first rate restaurants featuring alsatian cuisine. Other famous wine centers along this Section of the alsatian wine Road route Duvin include Barr crosses Mark the Graves of German soldiers killed in world War i. Nearby is another cemetery where French soldiers Are buried. 8 stripes Magazine docent be r 19, 1991