1955 The U K B G Guide to Drinks (2nd edition revised)

ALSACE The Alsace country lies to the east of the Vosges Mountains, to the east of France, where it is bounded by the River Rhine and Germany on the east. It is upon the slopes of the Vosges Mountainsthatthe better vineyards exist. The main town is Colmar. The vineyards of this area are in the hands of hundreds of individual farmers, where they have been in these same hands for countless numbers of years. The area itself has been the subject of much strife throughout its whole existence. Being close to Germany, it has been over-run by the Germans several times, and on each occasion the families and vineyards have suffered terribly. It is because of this that the wine has never been as widely known as it should be. Unlike other areas, the wine is known principally by the type of grape from which it is made. Thus we have:— Chasselas—an ordinary type of wine consumed locally. Sylvaner—another ordinary -wane with a beautiful green colour, best when consumed while young. Suitable for making Cups. Muscat—a medium dry wine with a very pronounced "bouquet". Pinot: (White)—better than the Sylvaner, without acidity. (Grey)—Sometimes known as the Tokay D'Alsace. A wine that should not be confused with Hungarian Tokay, a rich dessert wine. Riesling— Traminer—both exceptionally good wines, in fact, the best that are produced in the area. The latter sometimes assumes the name of Gewurztraminer, which name is not often used on account of its difficult pronunciation. 183