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Here I am in Alsace again, almost in time for the Grape harvest season. Even though the reason for my trip was not to take an active part in any harvesting activities, it was nice seeing how the villages were gearing up for the season ahead. I visited two lovely villages, tucked between vineyards and sloppy mountains: Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg. If Colmar, the Wine Capital of Alsace, is considered one of the most beautiful towns in France, Riquewihr holds the same little in the village category and her counterpart Kaysersberg has just been selected as France’s favorite village of 2017.  Titles and labels, aside, the charm of these two lovely villages, are truly worthy of a visit. I had read that Riquewhir was an admirably well-preserved medieval and Renaissance village and when I had the chance to see it for myself, it certainly did not fail to impress. If it was not for the many other tourists who were similarly taking in the beauty of its courtyards, cobblestoned streets, and colorful houses, I would have felt like I was traveling back in time.

The neighboring village of Kayserberg, nestled in the valley of the same name and surrounded by vineyards and hills, is another jewel of the Alsatian Wine Route on its own right. Like Riquewihr, it preserves many of its medieval and Renaissance traits and displays the characteristic timbered houses, typical of the French Grand-East region. I only spent a few hours there, so my schedule was devoted to strolling around, visiting the castle and, of course, having a few glasses of Gewurztraminer.

There is plenty of wine to taste and villages to visit on the Alsatian Wine Route but if you can’t visit them all, be sure to go to Riquewhir and Kayserberg. Next stops on my list are Turckheim and Ribeauville.

Au revoir!

Riquewihr

Kaysersberg