European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 3, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                N \ 1 it a Spart French part German and pure Delight a lion s head protects a Rique Wihr business. A amps photos by Jim Derheim by Norm ze1gler travel outdoor writer Rique Wihr was built on a foundation of liquid Gold. For centuries this tiny town lucked into the Foothills of France s Vosges mountains has produced some of the finest White wines in the world. The wines in turn have brought Rique Wihr Prosperity and Fame disproportionate to its size. Rique Wihr is a pocket size walled town that looks out toward the Rhine River from the Eastern slope of the Vosges. With a population of just Over 1,000 squeezed into an area nine blocks Long and four blocks wide it is a miniature Urban Island surrounded by vineyards. According to popular accounts Rique Wihr s name originated As Richo Villa the site of a Villa owned by a roman official. The oldest historical record of the town dating from 1049, refers to it As Richo Volare. In addition to giving the town a name the romans also introduced viticulture to the Region. The combination of soil moisture gentle Sun and temperate weather was found to be Ideal for several varieties of grape including the riesling Gewirz Trainer and Tokay. But it is the riesling that has achieved its greatest potential and brought renown to the Region. Today alsatian riesling wine is the Standard by which All other rieslings Are measured. The nearness of the Rhine 15 Miles provided an Ideal transportation link enabling Rique Wihr to distribute its wines far and wide. By the Middle Ages it was a wealthy wine producing town exporting 600,000 hectolitres a year. Aging in the cellars of Rique Wihr today Are some of the most expensive and sought after bottles anywhere. Like All of Alsace Rique Wihr s location near the German French Border has proved both enriching and hazardous Over the centuries. It has Given the town a dual cultural endowment that has enriched its language architecture Art and cuisine. But it has also brought conflict and bloodshed. The worst devastation was during the thirty years War 1618-48when Alsace lost 80 percent of its population. Rique Wihr went from 2,000 to 72 residents. Quot we Are the greatest experts for dry White wines but we Are also the greatest experts for wars. We Haven t missed a War in 2,000 years Quot says local vintner Jean Hugel. Originally settled by the Alemanno a germanic tribe the Region around Rique Whf As for centuries most closely linked with other German speaking regions across the Rhine. In 1320, Rique Wihr was granted a City charter and in 1324 became the property of the counts of Wurttemberge remaining so until the French revolution. For the next Century Anil a half it became a major Bone of Contention in the ongoing Franco German conflict. In 1801 the town and the Region were annexed to France by Napoleon but after the Franco prussian War a resurgent German Reich reclaimed them. A Defeated Germany was forced to relinquish Alsace Lorraine after world War i but during world War ii Hitler s forces briefly seized them Back re christening the town with its germanic name Reichenmeier. Today the dual heritage is reflected in the names of its residents. Most of the last names Are German a Engel Hugel Rastaetter Meyer a but the first names Are nearly All French a Jean Marc andr6, Philippe. French is the no. 1 language but most people speak fluent German with a French accent. Fortunately unlike real Gold wine is not a resource that gets depleted. Each year brings a new Harvest and renewed Prosperity. Today it fills the shelves in Rique Wihr s cellars and shops gleams atop tables in the restaurants and graces the shopping bags of visitors. Both the wine and the attraction of the City itself produce an annual second Harvest a of tourist dollars. According to Claudine Kiedaisch at the Rique Wihr tourist office Rique Wihr draws an amazing 1.5 million to 2 million visitors a year. The town s most captivating feature is its carefully preserved medieval character. The 13th-Century City Wall is virtually intact. And the whole town is a historical Monument with nearly every building dating to the 15th or 16th Century. Many Are beautifully restored half timbered structures. Others built by wealthier families Are constructed of the Region s ubiquitous red Sandstone. Hugel says in prosperous times Rique Wihr residents Quot first. Built Beautiful  this included renovations and additions. Quot you can Tell the Rich years by the dates because during the Rich years they built the houses Quot says Hugel. Some houses have several dates on them corresponding to the various additions and renovation projects. In All Quot we have about 2,000 dates Quot Hugel says. The City Wall gives Rique Wihr a cozy enclosed feeling enhanced by the tiny streets. Sometimes they Are Little More than alleyways that dwindle to impassable gaps Between buildings. Even during the off season driving is difficult and parking is next to impossible within the town limits. During the height of the tourist season Only residents Are permitted to drive in Rique Wihr. Others must leave their cars in one of the lots outside the City Wall. Though there Are Only three vehicle entrances there Are pedestrian portals at Many Points along the Wall. Rique Wihr s biggest drawing cards Are its win stubs wine pubs and the Many first rate restaurants featuring alsatian cuisine. During the warm months courtyards fill with tables and chairs and become outdoor cafes. And beneath Rique Wihr is a virtual second town a the wine cellars that hold the City s wealth. Visitors should take the time to Stop and sip the wine Sample an alsatian specially like Coq Auvin Chicken cooked in wine or mat Elote fish in wine sauce and tour a winery. Rique Wihr s streets have retained their old appearance without looking too touristy. 4 stripes Magazine january a 1992