European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 11, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 to be the same without its wine merchants offer free wine tastings at various spots around the old Tow n. A amps Davo Caseby de Reavis staff writer the route de Vin Alsace s wine route winds for 75 Miles along the Eastern Side of the Vosges mountains Over the hillsides and along the floors of deep valleys. Alsace can be discovered in the Beautiful Flower bedecked villages in the warm inns with historic signs and in the half timbered houses decorated with the Vine grower s pruning knife that Are found All along the Way. But to get a real taste of Alsace try its wine. The Alsace produces six White and one Rose wine. The wines Are named after the grapes from which they Are made. More rarely they Are identified by the name of their Vineyard. They Are dry and fruit with a Fine bouquet. The wines and their characterises Are a sylvaner a dry fresh Light White wine a pinot Blanc or Plevner dry White wine that preserves its Quality Well a riesling very dry White wine with a delicate bouquets amps Dav Casey Martine Horny a viticulture student at a local school samples a product of Alsace. And exquisite fruitiness a Muscat d Alsace dry White wine very fruity a Tokay pinot gris dry White wine Heady and full bodied a gewurztraminer Well constructed dry White wine with a powerful bouquet and great elegance a pinot Moirs dry red or Rose wine with a delicious fruitiness and elegant bouquet. In accordance with regulations the wines Are bottled in the Long slender and elegant Alsace bottle. Since 1972, they have by Law been bottled in the producing Region which is an absolute guarantee of origin. Those who want to learn about the wines should take note of Label. The most specific of the wines Are labelled with the appellation d Origine cont Rolee Quot Alsace grand Cru Quot and the name of the most famous vineyards. Appellation d Origine cont Rolee Means that the wines Are made from one Type of grape and is not a blend. The appellation d Origine cont Rolee Quot tremant d Alsace Quot signifies the Alliance Between the Best Alsace Vine varieties and the Champagne win making method. It covers an entire family of very dry White wine from White grapes White wine from Black grapes and some Rose wines. The name Edel Wicker or sometimes a registered trademark designates a harmonious blend of a number of Alsace Vine varieties. Late vintages the Quot Black pearls Quot of the winegrowers come from the noblest grapes picked when overripe during the great years. They Are harvested much later than the official vintages when the grapes Are very Rich and Sweet. When trying the local specialities in the restaurants consult the waiter for the Best wine to. Accompany your meal. Travel Erst tips Colmar is on autoroute 35 about 40 Miles South of Strasbourg and about 22 Miles North of Mulhouse. It can be reached from Germany by following b-31 and n-41 5 the tourist office at 4 Rue d Unte Linden is open daily and will help arrange accommodations and Tours. It also has guidebooks and information on the City in English. Its Telephone number is 89-41 -02-29. If calling from outside France be sure to add the country code. The Unte Linden museum at place d Unte Linden is open 9 . To noon and 2-6 . Daily april 1 through oct. 31 and 9 . To noon and 2-5 from nov. 1 to March 31 every Day except tuesday closed All Day. The Bartholdi museum at 30 Rue Des Marchands is open daily from 10 . To noon and 2-6 . April 1 through oct. 31. And 10 . To noon and 2-5 . On saturdays and sundays from nov. 1 to March 31. The dominican Church with the Virgin in the Rosebush is open 10 . To 6 . Daily mid March through mid november. Other events a folklore performances Are held on and sauerkraut festival is held August. Details available from office. Tuesdays from mid june to mid september. A serenades and concerts Art held in the dominicans cloister on thursdays from july 28 to sept. 8. A the International music festival will be held from july 3 to 14. Details from the tourist office a the Alsace regional wine fair annually in the tourist red Reavis june 11, 1992 stripes Magd Ine 13