Wine Tasting on the Route des Vins

Wine tasting is the primary activity on the Alsace Wine Route and the social contract that keeps the villages alive. At most producers' shops in the villages, you walk in, they pour, you taste, you buy a bottle or two. This is free and expected. The larger domaines (Domaine Weinbach near Kaysersberg, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht near Turckheim, Trimbach in Ribeauville) offer structured tastings of 5-6 wines with explanation for EUR 5-10, sometimes by appointment. The wines: Riesling is the star (dry, mineral, high acid, EUR 8-15 at the cellar door, EUR 15-30 for Grand Cru). Gewurztraminer is the aromatic one (spicy, floral, pairs with Munster cheese and foie gras). Pinot Gris is the rich one (honeyed, full-bodied). Cremant d'Alsace is the sparkling bargain (methode traditionnelle, EUR 7-10 a bottle, better than most Champagne at the same price). If you are driving: spit. They provide spit buckets at every tasting and expect you to use them. Nobody judges.