Alsace Blog

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  Obernai - Complete Guide to Visiting the Pearl of the Vosges Foothills

  Posted in: Alsatian Heritage & Culture, Practical Guides & Tips

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  Obernai is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Alsace. Nestled at the foot of the Vosges some twenty kilometres south of Strasbourg, it captivates with its lively market square, its Gothic belfry, its medieval ramparts and its colourful half-timbered houses. Birthplace of Saint Odile, patron saint of Alsace, and the natural starting point of the Wine Route, Obernai is an essential stop for those wishing to discover authentic Alsace away from the crowds of Strasbourg and Colmar.

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  Alsatian Sylvaner - The Fresh and Discreet Grape of Alsatian Tables

  Posted in: Alsatian Wines & Gastronomy

  4071 Views 3106 Liked

  Alsatian Sylvaner is the great misunderstood of Alsatian grape varieties. Less spectacular than Gewurztraminer, less mineral than Riesling, less velvety than Pinot Gris, it wins hearts with its natural freshness, lightness and straightforwardness. The quintessential thirst-quenching wine, it happily accompanies everyday meals and seafood platters, offering an accessibility and drinkability that its nobler cousins often envy. This guide finally gives it the place it deserves in the Alsatian...

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  Alsatian Spätzle - The Basic Recipe for Fresh Alsatian Pasta

  Posted in: Alsatian Recipes

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  Spätzle are the emblematic fresh pasta of Alsatian and Germanic cuisine. These small irregular pasta with a soft and slightly elastic texture, poached in boiling water then golden in browned butter, accompany both meats in sauce and cheese-topped gratin dishes. Simple to prepare with the right utensils, they are an essential of the Alsatian table that every regional cuisine enthusiast should master.

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  Alsace in Winter - Complete Guide to Visiting the Region in the Cold Season

  Posted in: Practical Guides & Tips

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  Alsace in winter is a unique and unforgettable experience. When snow covers the half-timbered rooftops of the Wine Route villages, when Christmas markets illuminate the medieval squares and winstubs fill with the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon, the region reveals its most magical and authentic face. Far from the summer crowds, winter Alsace offers an incomparable way of life and atmosphere that alone justifies the journey.

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  Savoury Kougelhopf - The Alsatian Aperitif Recipe

  Posted in: Alsatian Recipes

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  Savoury kougelhopf is the aperitif and indulgent version of the famous Alsatian cake. Far from the sweet kougelhopf with raisins enjoyed at breakfast, this savoury variation with smoked lardons, walnuts and fresh herbs is ideal as an aperitif, buffet or starter for a festive meal. Baked in the traditional Soufflenheim terracotta mould that gives it its characteristic crown shape, savoury kougelhopf is as beautiful as it is delicious and always much appreciated by guests.

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  Decorating Your Home the Alsatian Way for Christmas - Guide and Ideas

  Posted in: Practical Guides & Tips, Christmas in Alsace

  5289 Views 3997 Liked

  Alsatian Christmas decoration is one of the richest and most poetic there is. Mouth-blown glass baubles, woven straw stars, table sets embroidered with traditional motifs, terracotta lanterns and fragrant fir garlands: each element tells a story and contributes to creating the magical and warm atmosphere that has made Alsace's reputation at Advent time. This guide accompanies you in decorating your home the Alsatian way with authenticity and elegance.

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  Alsatian Pewter - History and Craftsmanship of a Traditional Art

  Posted in: Alsatian Heritage & Culture

  3440 Views 1988 Liked

  Alsatian pewter is one of the little-known treasures of regional craftsmanship. Rotund beer tankards, plates engraved with vine and stork motifs, ornate cutlery, candlesticks and spice boxes: for centuries, pewter was the noble metal of the Alsatian table and decoration before being supplanted by porcelain and steel. Today these antique objects are sought after by collectors and folk art enthusiasts, while a few craftspeople still perpetuate this ancestral knowledge in their Alsatian workshops.

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  Pumpkin Soup with Riesling - The Alsatian Autumn Recipe

  Posted in: Alsatian Recipes

  2485 Views 1866 Liked

  Pumpkin soup with Riesling is one of the finest expressions of Alsatian autumn cooking. It marries the sweet, velvety mildness of pumpkin with the mineral and slightly tart notes of Alsatian Riesling for a result of remarkable finesse. Easy to prepare, comforting and elegant, this soup is served equally well as a starter for a festive meal or as a main course accompanied by good Alsatian bread.

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  Alsatian Galette des Rois - The Brioche Version for Epiphany

  Posted in: Alsatian Recipes

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  In Alsace, the galette des Rois looks nothing like the rest of France. No puff pastry or frangipane here: the Alsatian tradition favours a soft and golden brioche, scented with orange blossom, garnished with candied fruits and pearl sugar, shaped into a crown. This Dreikönigskuchen - Three Kings cake - is an inheritance of the Germanic and Rhenish tradition that has crossed the centuries with the same generosity and the same childhood fragrance.

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  Alsatian Quetsch Plum Tart - The Traditional Autumn Recipe

  Posted in: Alsatian Recipes

  5011 Views 2987 Liked

  The quetsch plum tart is the iconic dessert of the Alsatian autumn. Every year in September and October, when the plum trees bend under the weight of their blue-violet fruit, Alsatian kitchens fill with the unmistakable scent of caramelised quetsch plums and cinnamon. On a crisp shortcrust pastry or a soft yeast dough, the plums arranged in a fan make a dessert as beautiful as it is delicious. A simple, generous recipe deeply rooted in Alsatian culinary tradition.

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  Fleischschnaka - Alsatian Meat Rolls Poached in Broth

  Posted in: Alsatian Recipes

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  Fleischschnaka - literally "meat snails" in Alsatian - are one of the most endearing dishes of traditional Alsatian cuisine. These fresh pasta rolls filled with minced braised meat, poached in a Riesling-scented broth, are a perfect example of Alsatian farmhouse cooking: generous, ingenious and deeply flavourful. An ideal dish for using up leftover pot-au-feu or baeckeoffe and delighting the whole family.

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  Alsace for Two - A Romantic Escape Among Vineyards and Villages

  Posted in: Practical Guides & Tips

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  Alsace is one of the most romantic regions in France. Its flower-decked half-timbered villages, its vineyards turning gold in autumn, its intimate winstubs and its castles perched on the Vosges ridges naturally set the scene for a perfect couple's escape. Whether you are looking for a memorable weekend, a gastronomic getaway or an original gift for your other half, this guide helps you live an unforgettable Alsatian experience for two.

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  Sélestat - Capital of Humanism and Medieval City of Alsace

  Posted in: Alsatian Heritage & Culture, Practical Guides & Tips

  4016 Views 1867 Liked

  Sélestat is one of the most overlooked and most captivating cities in Alsace. Sandwiched between Colmar and Strasbourg on the Wine Route, it is all too often driven through without stopping. This is a mistake: this medieval city is home to one of the most precious libraries in Europe, two remarkable churches and an authentic historic centre untouched by mass tourism. This guide invites you to discover it differently.

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  Alsatian Pinot Blanc - The Discreet and Versatile Grape Variety

  Posted in: Alsatian Wines & Gastronomy

  4944 Views 2833 Liked

  Alsatian Pinot Blanc is arguably the most underrated grape variety in the region. Less flamboyant than Gewurztraminer, less mineral than Riesling, it wins hearts with its remarkable versatility and accessibility. Aperitif wine, table wine, the backbone of Crémant d'Alsace: Pinot Blanc accompanies every occasion with disarming ease. This guide finally gives it the recognition it deserves.

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  La Petite France and the Covered Bridges of Strasbourg - History and Visit Guide

  Posted in: Alsatian Heritage & Culture, Practical Guides & Tips

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  La Petite France is Strasbourg's most iconic neighbourhood. Its half-timbered houses leaning over the canals of the Ill, its cobbled lanes and its locks make it one of the best-preserved medieval ensembles in Europe. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, this former quarter of tanners, millers and fishermen attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year. This guide takes you on a journey through its history, its monuments and its best-kept secrets.

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  Order Alsatian Specialities Online - Delivery Across France and Europe

  Posted in: Practical Guides & Tips

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  Do you live far from Alsace or want to give a typical regional gift without travelling? The decoalsace.fr online shop lets you order all Alsatian specialities - food, craft or decorative - and have them delivered anywhere in France and throughout Europe. This guide tells you everything you need to know for a smooth order: delivery times, carriers, packaging and tips for choosing the right products.

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  How to Read an Alsatian Wine Label - Complete Guide

  Posted in: Alsatian Wines & Gastronomy, Practical Guides & Tips

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  An Alsatian wine label is a wealth of information for those who know how to read it. Unlike other major French wine regions, Alsace puts the grape variety front and centre - a distinctive feature that makes choosing considerably easier. Vintage, appellation, late harvest mention or Grand Cru: this complete guide explains every element so you can choose your Alsatian wine with complete confidence.

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  Colmar - The Complete Guide to Visiting the Wine Capital of Alsace

  Posted in: Alsatian Heritage & Culture, Practical Guides & Tips

  5706 Views 4276 Liked

  Colmar is one of the most visited cities in France and the undisputed jewel of tourist Alsace. Its cobbled streets, colourful half-timbered houses and the famous Little Venice district make it a living postcard, spared by the destruction of the Second World War. The unofficial capital of Alsatian wines and the natural starting point of the Wine Route, Colmar deserves far more than a brief stopover - this complete guide helps you plan your visit and bring home the best of it.

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