Alsace villages to visit: Geuberschwihr, Haut-Rhin

Facts

10 km south-west of Colmar. 202 ha Goldert Gaentzbrunnen Hotell Kastelberg is luxurious and reasonably priced. Alsace-route-des-vins

Of all the medieval villages in Alsace, Riquewihr may be the most touristic, Eguisheim the most decorated and Mittelbergheim the most calm, but Geuberschwihr is certainly the most genuine.

Geuberschwihr is a charming villages to which too few visitors find their way. The village is situated on a plateau on the spectacular road connecting Husseren-les-Chateaux, Voegtlinshoffen, Geuberschwihr and Pfaffenheim. Do not miss the church, built on oak pillars, though of as more stable than a stone foundation.

The pride is Grand Cru Goldert that carries a very good reputation for both Riesling and Muscat. In addition, Zind-Humbrecht makes an excellent Gewurztraminer from this 45 ha vineyard. The microclimate is favourable as Goldert is tucked into the protecting Voges. Goldert hosts Clos Saint-Imer, a 5 ha property owned by Ernest Burn.

Geuberschwihr is more than a wine village, as it has nurseries and other businesses related to agriculture. Until the 1960´ it was common that winemaking was only one component of the farming, and combined with production of vegetables, milk, eggs.

The vintners of Geuberschwihr has a joint cooperative with Pfaffenheim.

Producers to visit

One of the big names in Alsace, offering a generous, refined yet powerful style of wine. Clos St-Imer is sold at very reasonable prices (€15 2006). The best cuvées are called "La Chapelle" and posses eternal life. Today, the estate is run by Joseph and Francis. Sympathetic family estate located at the square. Carefully crafted, fresh wines from Goldert, vinified without malo-lactic fermentation. Mme Humbrecht speaks perfect English. Just across the street from Ernest Burn. Hard-to-find grower who has made success with a classic Gewurztraminer. On the road towards Pfaffenheim. Old family domaine with connections in Husseren-les-Chateaux and Eguisheim. Run by the young couple Marc and Catherine, the estate has 5 ha, some of which are on Goldert.