During the Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen, we spent 2 nights in Alsace (in Kaysersberg) and visited 5 wine producers:
Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim
Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé
Domaine Schlumberger in Guebwiller
Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, with Jean Frédéric Hugel
Maison Jülg in Seebach, with Peter Jülg
We ate twice lunch, at the Wistube du Sommelier in Bergheim and L’Epicurien in Colmar. Both lunches were not elaborate meals, but very good, in two outstanding brasserie/ bistro-type eateries.
Lunch at Wistube du Sommelier in Bergheim
The Decanter included it in its list of Ten top Alsace restaurants, compiled by Sue Style December 29, 2015
From choucroute and tarte flambée to Gewurztraminer and Riesling, Alsace has some of the most distinctive dishes and wines in France. Sue Style picks out best restaurants to visit...
Down in the vineyards in the ravishing village of Bergheim (as good as Riquewihr but with fewer tourist buses) is Wistub du Sommelier (pictured top), a classic wine bar/bistro that’s a haunt of local vignerons and a favourite with visitors in search of l’Alsace authentique. Owned by Patrick and Antje Schneider, it’s the place to tuck into home-made foie gras or presskopf (brawn) followed by ox cheeks braised in Pinot Noir and an iced soufflé laced with Marc de Gewurztraminer. Antje’s list is an Alsace anthology, ranging from near-neighbours Deiss, Lorentz and Sylvie Spielmann to others she would like you to discover such as Beck- Hartweg, Gérard Neumeyer and Clément Klur.
Antonio Galloni Vinous
Vinous of Antonio Galloni carried a long article by Ian D'Agata on August 11, 2017. Here are some parts of it. For the whole article go here.
Wistubs are equivalents of modern day bistros but that harken back to past times, offering home style food in rural, country settings. Wistub du Sommelier, one of the finest in Alsace and a favorite dining hangout of local vignerons and wine lovers, rarely disappoints.
Wistub du Sommelier in Bergheim is one of those simple, unpretentious places that is always packed with locals and astute wine and food lovers visiting Alsace. There are no bells and whistles, just simple but well cooked homestyle food and a fairly priced, if not large, wine list that offers many inviting choices. The restaurant building also contributes to the atmosphere that takes you back in time. It dates back to 1748 and is replete with wooden beams, exposed bricks and a working fireplace, not to mention the typically sullen, and at times harried, French waitstaff busy running around. In short, the Wistub is a nice place to kick back with friends after a long day at work, as the staff doesn’t fuss around the table all night long.
Wistubs are highly typical dining destinations of Alsace, best thought of as analogous to bistros but with lots of history and very strong ties to the local region’s wines and foods. In fact, wistub is the name used in the Haut-Rhin, while winstub is the name used for the same sort of establishment in the Bas-Rhin, which has a different linguistic base. In any case, these eating establishments were created in France after 1871 when the country lost one in the seemingly endless string of wars with the Prussians (Germans). It became commonplace then to avoid traditional brasseries and the public and to gather instead in the basement of farmers who made wine and cooked up hearty, home-style food. Wistub du Sommelier has been owned by Patrick and Antje Schneider since 2000, but it was founded in 1985 by Jean-Marie Stockel a former winner of the title of France’s Best Sommelier, who had worked with some of the best chefs of France, including Jung, Haberlin and Chapel, among others. That in and of itself is a pretty good calling card right there for all us Vinous readers and wine enthusiasts.
Guide Michelin 2017
Comptoir du 19e s., boiseries, poêle en faïence et convivialité... Pas de doute, derrière cette jolie façade alsacienne se cache bien une winstub ! On y passe un bon moment autour de vrais plats du terroir assortis des incontournables vins régionaux. Une adresse sympathique à tous points de vue.
Le mot de l'inspecteur
Bib Gourmand : Restaurant sélectionné par les inspecteurs du guide MICHELIN pour son très bon rapport qualité/prix. Repas hors boisson à moins de 32 € (36 € à Paris).
Belle carte des vins.
Gault Millau 2017
12/20
Au calme d'un charmant village médiéval, la Wistub du Sommelier occupe le peloton de tête des wistubs de la route des vins. Vieux zinc, marqueteries de Spindler, parquet, tables larges et bien espacées, cour ombragée secrète défient le temps et attirent un public averti. Après la disparition en mars 2017 de Patrick Schneider, la charismatique Antje poursuit l'affaire avec détermination. C'est désormais Andrea Martin qui est derrière les fourneaux. Savoureux pressé de canard confit escorté d'un espuma de maïs, de germes de soja et de... pop-corn (vraiment utile?), terrine de foie gras d'oie correcte, filet de truite du Val d’Orbey aux girolles, sauce hollandaise qui mériterait de gagner en netteté, ris de veau rôti, sauce moutarde à l’ancienne, tagliatelles maison, millefeuille aux cerises, crème pâtissière citronnée, tiramisu maison revisité avec des crumbles au chocolat. Antje Schneider, la maîtresse de maison qui a du nez, devenue en 17 ans oenophile experte, fait partager sa passion du vin, le coeur du sujet de cette maison.
Lunch at L’Epicurien in Colmar
Lonely Planet
Hidden in a Petite Venise backstreet, this is a wine bar–bistro in the classic mould, with cheek-by-jowl tables and a good buzz. Whatever is fresh at the market goes into the pot, often with a generous pinch of spice – from filet of beef in red-wine sauce with frites to wild gambas poached in ginger and lemon with wok vegetables and fettuccine.
Le fooding.com
At the heart of the Petite Venise neighborhood, along the Lauch River, L’Epicurien is a bistro with stonewalls and wooden rafters, where Nicolas Groell (who you may have seen working for Gordon Ramsey in London) makes our taste buds dance. Included in his €28 menu the other day: pan-fried scallops, sweet potato mousseline and a tonka bean emulsion; thick veal chops seasoned and caramelized with Angostura bitters, served with Parmesan risotto; and, for dessert, a large palette of flavors with an exotic fruit tartare, mango coulis and a passion fruit sorbet, a beautiful end to the meal – though we did hesitate between that and the bourbon vanilla creme brulee. As for the wines, there are a few rare finds (Crémant blanc from Albert Boxler for €4.90, Aligoté from Aubert and Pamela de Villaine for €5) and a hundred fine Alsatian bottles: Pinot blanc Clos des Capucins from the Domaine Weinbach (€27 a bottle), Pinot gris Kaefferkopf from Meyer-Fonné (€36), etc. Also worth noting: the rare Alsatian vintages (from 1959 onwards) and a beautiful eau de vie and digestif menu (from €3.50 to €15). Pitchers €8.40 to €22, craft beer €4.80. Menus €15.50 to €34 (lunch during the week), à la carte €33-51. // D.C
My-weekend-in-alsace.com
L'épicurien is a wine bistro located at the heart of the Little Venice in Colmar. On the menu, you will find food made with fresh products, rather French, but which also leaves space for other inspirations. The choice is very difficult and everything is tempting!
The wine list is very impressive and L'épicurien also offers a few artisanal Alsatian beers. Beer lovers will be happy!
Finally, the atmosphere "wood, slates and wine bottle" of the decoration makes the restaurant very homey. Service is also very pleasant.
Michelin
Groell Nicolas: "L'Epicurien" : Le rendez -vous des gourmands...Nous sommes heureux de vous faire découvrir une cuisine de produits frais et du marché.
Pour le déjeuner nous vous proposons 2 menus à prix doux : le menu du jour (12.80€) ou le menu du marché ( de 19 à 25€).
Le soir vous choisirez selon vos envies nos spécialités à la carte ou les suggestions du moment....
Pour accompagner votre repas nous vous proposons notre sélection de vins au verre, ainsi que notre carte des vins avec plus de 200 références dont de très vieux millésimes.
Gault Millau
11/20
Une sympathique échoppe où les habitués se sentent chez eux. Dans cette atmosphère d'initiés en famille, Nicolas Groell développe des assiettes bien construites qui nous ont paru cette année en progrès dans la finition, sur des idées assez classiques et bien actualisées : salade de saint-jacques poêlées champignons et tomates confites sauce soja, cocotte de mijotée de veau sauce parfumée au citron confit et à l'angistura, pluma ibérique de pata negra bellota jus parfumé au sweet chili, et nombreuses suggestions qui prouvent l'engagement et l'enthousiasme que l'on ressent ici. De bons partis pris à la cave, assez classique également, sur la région et autour.
schiller-wine: All Postings (Published and Forthcoming): Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner/ Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
La Cucina della Passione and Weingut Schloss Neuweier Wines: Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
The Music of the A Cappella Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre" and the Wines of Weingut Aufricht, Lake Constance, Baden, with Manfred Aufricht - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany– The Case of the Lake Constance Region
Schloss Salem at Lake Constance in Germany: A Museum, a School and a Wine Estate
Visit of Schloss Salem, Kirche Birnau and Weingut Markgraf von Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
The Wines of the Markgräflerland (Baden): Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Löffler - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Stigler, Baden, with Andreas, Regina and Max Stigler - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, 1 Star Michelin, Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and Wine Taverns in Freiburg, Baden, Germany
The World Class Wines of Alsace
In the world class white wine region Alsace
Tasting at Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch in Alsace: Wistub du Sommelier in Bergheim and Bistro L’Epicurien in Colmar
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace, with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel
Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant L’Achémille in Kaysersberg, with Owner/ Chef Jérome Jaegle
Wine Lunch at Weingut Jülg with Johannes Jülg– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany
Tasting at Maison Jülg in Seebach, Alsace, with Peter Jülg
Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Valentin Rebholz and Stephanie Wagner
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Münzberg – Lothar Kesseler & Söhne in Landau-Godramstein, Pfalz, with Friedrich and Gunter Kesseler
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andi Rings
Tasting at Weingut Krebs in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Jürgen Krebs
Tasting at Sekthaus Raumland in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Rheinhessen, with Heide-Rose and Volker Raumland
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Cellar Tourvisit and Tasting at Weingut Gröbe in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Fritz Gröbe
Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Konstantin and Stephanie Guntrum