
Every year, from end of September to mid of November, Alsace and the upper Rhine valley is wearing its golden dress. This is also a very popular season for holiday makers from all over the world. Winemakers and grape pickers are dancing their ballet on the natural stage of green and soon golden vineyards and forests escalating the hills and mountains.
Before the first snow arrives and as the preparation for the Christmas markets are going on (they are due to open on Nov 22), here are some pictures. There will not be much text information. Just pictures to savour. I hope you will like them.
Grape harvesting in September and October
The first grapes to be harvested (usually mid-September, depending on how ripe they are) are the grapes used to make the bubbly local Crémant d’Alsace wine. It might be rosé or white. When it is a white wine created with pinot noir, it is called “blanc de noirs”.
Grape harvesting is a game played with or against the weather. As long as the weather remains dry, grape picking can go ahead. And even when the sun is hidding, colours are bright and shiny. Maybe more than with too much sun. Have a look.
Activity on the hills around Riquewihr …
While in the village itself …
Riquewihr is the jewel on the Alsace Wine Route – famous for the Riesling and other great Alsace wines produced here – and looks today exactly as it did in the 16th Century. Riquewihr is a wonderful and romantic little medieval city hidden between the Vosges mountains and some of the most famous vineyards in Alsace.
For more pictures and information about Riquewihr in Alsace, click here.
Useful links
Alsace Wine Route celebrates 60th anniversary.
Alsace Wine Route official website
Les Remparts de Riquewihr – book one of our new luxury holiday apartments created in an old historical winery facing the vineyards in Riquewihr.
Thank you Nancy and John! Welcome back anytime!
Bonjour Jean-Paul and Martine,
Lovely photos of a beautiful area! We would return this minute if we could, and stay through the holidays. We envy the lucky people who will be enjoying your hospitality this season. Any chance we get, we will be back.
Nancy & John
Bonjour Jean Paul, we will be looking forward to the Black Forest pictures. The Black Forest trip with you and Martine and the
“Vickie” group was the high light of our vacation.
Merci, Chuck and Connie
Thank you!
Bonjour Chuck and Connie!
So pleased to hear from you. Actually I am preparing another page about our day out in Germany and Black Forest. Should be online next week.
Christmas markets have started today. I hope you are doing well. Jean-Paul and Martine.
Jean Paul, your pictures are wonderful and we can attest to the fact that they only touch on beauty of the areas portrayed. Also Jean Paul is the inn keeper and host extrodinaire. Chuck and Connie
great photos 🙂 and post!