Four hours and then some on the A4 from Paris to Alsace. Snow as we drive across the Vosges. Stuck in traffic for another hour, getting around and then into Strasbourg--crossroads of Europe--on a freeway system that's just overwhelmed at rush hour. Three months from now, the new TGV Est will do the run in two hours and change.
On the other hand, once you're in Strasbourg, there's a new tram network to speed you along. Lots of bike paths, too. Sweet! Are you listening, Seattle?
La Petite France is Strasbourg's picturesque, 16th-century neighborhood of half-timbered houses surrounded by canals. A friendly Penelope-Cruz-lookalike pours welcoming glasses of Crémant d'Alsace at a winstub. Everyone's eating Flammkuchen, ultra-thin crispy dough topped with onions, mushrooms, bacon or cheese. And ever so delicious!
In the less touristy spots, the favored drink is a concoction called Picon-bière, which mixes the bitter apéritif Amer Picon with local brew. In fact, almost three-fourths of all Picon's production is sold in the north of France for just this purpose. Will investigate further.
French Chef Sally is my friend Sally McArthur, who hosts luxurious,
week-long cooking classes at the Chateau du Riveau in the Loire Valley.
Local Wine Events.com,
the worlds leading Food and Wine tasting calendar. Spirits and Beer events as well. Post your own event or sign up
to be notified when new events are po
sted to your own area.
VinoLover, Seattle wine promoter David LeClaire's bulletin board of tastings,
dinners and special events.
Wine Educator Dieter Schafer maintains a full schedule
of Seattle-area tastings and seminars
for amateur wine drinkers and professional alike.
Nat Decants, a free wine e-newsletter from Natalie MacLean, recently named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. Wine picks, articles and humor; no ads.
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