Seeking Advice on Alsace Visit

Linda and I are planning our first visit to Alsace in August 2017, and would like some input on which wineries to visit. We're planning to visit the obvious ones: Weinbach, Zind-Humbrecht, Hugel and Trimbach, plus some that we've had some experience with here in Ontario: André Blanck, Pierre Sparr (who makes a great crémant rosé), Keuntz-Bas, René Muré and Albert Mann.

Any other suggestions? Any to avoid?

We're going to stay in Colmar, with a short visit to Strassbourg as well, before heading to Paris for two weeks. Any restaurant suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mann for sure along with Weinbach. Louis Sipp is worth a visit too and have sent you a email. Colmar is a great place to use as a base.

[David M. Bueker]

Dirler-Cade

Deiss in Bergheim is love or hate, but I've always been fascinated with his wines, and I've had a couple of nice visits, if you show you are interested and knowledgeable.Domaine Ostertag is a nice visit too.

It's a beautiful area to visit, great food and people, one of my favourite wine regions to visit. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

I may be visiting Colmar next August also as part of a Rhine River cruise and side excursion to Alsace. Even though I was in Paris for three days in July, I dined at restaurants on Ile de Saint Louis near my hotel and don't really have restaurant recommendations for you there except for one seafood place near St. Germain where I had a good lunch. Will look up the name of that restaurant for you. In Strasbourg my favorite is Maison Kammerzell, in a building dating from 1427 and transformed twice since then including in the 16th century. It is right on the Place de la Cathedrale. Traveling with my mother and sister, we arrived at an early hour for dinner one time and watched the staff polishing the crystal over an open flame. Similar in age and atmosphere is Maison des Tanneurs built in 1572. Another restaurant that once held a Michelin star and gets a fair amount of press is Au Crocodile. I have not dined at either Maison des Tanneurs or Au Crocodile.

Thanks for the recommendations.

One place in Paris that I heartily recommend, if you like duck, is "Au Petit Sud Ouest". There are two of them, one near the Eiffel tower, and one just outside the ring road, in Lavellois-Perret. They are very similar, and used to have the same ownership. We went to the one in Lavellois-Perret and were blown away. They had twenty-odd appetizers featuring fois gras, and the duck confit is to die for.

Not really up on which vintners are currently worth visiting as it has been something like 20 years since I was there. But we did stay in Colmar and rented bicycles for daytrips up to some lovely villages (Riquewihr, Ribeauville, etc.) - it was autumn and the leaves were changing on the Voges hillsides. Just a thought if you like to cycle, and there are plenty of places to stop and taste. I did notice you are going in August, so be prepared for things being closed.

Jean Yves in Colmar is fantastic for dinner. **Alsace-inspired food, but there are plenty of more rustic spots in Colmar as well. You won't eat bad in Alsace!

I suggest a producer visit to Barmes-Buecher -wonderful wines and a lovely family.

Cheers,
Bill