The Golden Circle around Strasbourg - La Couronne d'Or

Association La Couronne d'Or

In 1994 the association La Couronne d'Or, The Golden Circle, was formed. Within La Couronne d'Or as many as 21 villages, 15 wine producers, two cooperatives and one fruit merchant cooperate to strengthen and to market the area west of Strasbourg.

The map below (used with kind permission of La Couronne d'Or) illustrates the geography. The distance between the individual villages is rather small, typically 2 km. Hence, the La Couronne d'Or forms a circle some 20 km in diameter.

Click on image to view full resolution map (2,4 MB).

Background

As early as in 589 A.D., the Bishop of Tours praised the Merovingian vineyards west of Strasbourg. The area in question is the one delimited by Nordheim in the north, Westoffen in the west, Ostheim in the east and what is now Molsheim in the south. Already in those days, the area was of great economic as well as strategic importance.

Besides the small wine-growing area around Wissembourg close to the German border in the very north of Bas-Rhin, the busy town of Marlenheim serves s the northern gate to vineyards of Alsace. Indeed, this is also the starting point of the Alsace wine road, Route des Vins d'Alsace, which dwindles some 150 km until it reaches the southern entrance in Thann.

Despite the proximity to the metropolitan area of Strasbourg, only 20 km away, the area between Marlenheim and Molsheim is sadly overlooked by foreign visitors. This is particularly astonishing considering that the area comprises four exciting Grand Crus and 1 400 hectares of vineyards, i.e. 10% of the viticultural area of Alsace. Benefitting from 'immigration' from Strasbourg, the 20+ villages in the area are vital and lively, but do also show genuine Alsatian charm with narrow alleys lined with half-timbered houses, lovely courtyards, all drenched in flowers.

For long, the farmers in the area had wine-growing as one of many crops. Still, cultivation of fruits, vegetables and cereals are important, not to mention grazing cattle. Considering the vast area, relatively few producers market wines under their own label, instead two large cooperatives have been dominating. With this background, it is not surprising that the visibility of the wines and vineyards visa-vi the public has been relatively low.

Do not miss

Ride your bicycle in La Couronne d'Or

The area is ideal for bike-rides. The small roads are abundant and the traffic is not at ll dense. The villages are close to each other, and the cherry trees offer refreshments along the way. Thanks to Mont Scharrach, the masochist will find many opportunities to feel the acids burn in the thighs. The possibilities are inexhaustible.!

Balbronn

Lively little village with a medieval atmosphere and an improving producer, Anstotz. Balbronn has a welcoming, traditional bakery, boulanger artisan, that is open on Mondays.

Bergbieten

This village rest below the great Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergbieten. Here, you will find only one, but excellent producer, Roland Schmitt , whose wines become better and better. Do not miss their Rieslings from Thalberg and Altenberg de Bergbieten. Several Gîtes de France.

Dahlenheim

Dahlenheim has three outstanding producers; Jean-Marie Bechtold , Pfister and Maurice Heckmann and a couple of nice restaurants. The lively Au Tilleul offers traditional dishes, including Tartes flambées. Restaurant Aux Deux Cles, is closed part of the summer. Why? The speciality is pork and the high season is around Christmas.

Marlenheim

Xiavier Muller and the cooperative Arthur Metz are both members of La Couronne d'Or, just as Romain Fritz how tempts with very interesting Grand Cru Steinklotz. Fritz carries out interesting experiments with Burgundian (non-authorized) methods of pruning and training to improve the promising Pinot Noir Steinklotz.

Scharrachbergheim

Inviting, dynamic village with a few growers and cosy restaurants, offering everything from ambitious cooking and traditional Plat du Jour to Tartes flambées take-away.

Traenheim

Traenheim är is a striking, lovely village with artists and craftsmen as well as three producers with different style; Mochel-Lorentz makes relatively light wines (try the Muscat!), Muller has a more opulent style (including a rare Pinot Gris Altenberg de Bergbieten). However, the splendid Frédéric Mochel has a gorgeous range, including Riesling Cuvée Henriette and Muscat from Altenberg de Bergbieten.

Westoffen

Relatively large village with shops and restaurant and one impressive producer, Etienne Loew who is important for Alsace as a whole.

Wolxheim

Prosperous and charming village by Canal de Bruche. Two very good producers, Clément Lissner och Thomas Vogt make very, very interesting wines from Altenberg de Wolxheim. Joseph Scharsch and François Muhlberger are worth seeking out.