What I Learned:
The Moselle River wineries are not that far from the Rhine river wineries in the Rheingau and the Rhein-Hesse wine regions, but they are figuratively speaking a world apart. Equally as proud of their line of products, which have centuries of tradition behind them, both river valley wine growers share something else in common: the cultivation of the Riesling grape as the single-most common varietal grown.
Trail Name: Grafschafter Weindoerferweg
Trail Type: Mid-distance hiking circuit; grassy pathway, steps, hard-packed gravel or paved in built up areas, well maintained and superbly marked.
Length: total: 18.5 kilometers/11.5 miles
Convenient to: Bernkastel-Kues, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Green is supposedly a calming color, I recalled as I cycled along Franciacorta’s Percorso Verde (Green Route). There could be some truth in that: The amount of green on this route seems to have created the most relaxed, carefree people I have met in a long time – and I count myself among that group on that delightful day.
I first noticed it in the town of Paratico, on the hill overlooking Lake Iseo. As I was photographing the incredibly blue lake spreading out in the distance, several runners came uphill behind me. Male and female, of all ages and sizes, they were obviously enjoying themselves on a group “fun-run”, and wanted me to photograph them as well.
What I Learned:
The wine region of Franciacorta was given a huge boost in the 11th Century with the arrival of monks, to include some from the famous French monastery of Cluny. Since then, the wines have only improved. The term Franciacorta can refer not only to the territory, but also the method of production. In recognition of its superior quality, wines from this region using the defined Franciacorta production techniques, were the first to be awarded the quality marking of DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), the highest rating in the Italian quality pyramid.
Trail Name(s): Franciacorta Brut/Itinerario 3/Percorso Verde (Green)
Trail Type: short distance cycling circuit; mostly hard-packed gravel or paved in built-up areas, well maintained and marked.
Length: total: 30 km/18 miles
Convenient to: Brescia, Lombardy, Italy Continue reading Franciacorta Brut: Trail in a Nutshell
Of the many fabulous local wine events in Europe, especially in Alsace and southern Germany, the rambles through vineyards where vintners set up stations with food and wine are among the most popular. The routes, usually around 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) long, are marked out along existing hiking trails, access roads for agricultural vehicles, and streets through towns and villages. Whole families are out there, and with the great air of festivity, and plenty of stops to relax and replenish fluids, the route is easily done by all.
I recently had the good fortune to participate in an event which circled the town of Beilstein, in the Wuerttembergisch Unterland wine growing region, north of Stuttgart, Germany. The timing for this event was convenient, and the weather in central Germany was perfect that day: sunny and seventy.
“A sea of vineyards – above the Loire River, under rain-laden clouds”
This is how I will always visualize this hike.
Maybe because we were in “la Douce France” (gentle, soft, sweet France), the rain fell only softly, and then not for long, to the chagrin of the vintners, but to our delight because sections of the trail would have turned muddy with heavier rains, or a higher river. As it was, the cloud cover served nicely to protect us from what otherwise would have been a hot day in the sun.
What I Learned:
Wine production has been documented along this section of the Loire (between Saumur and Anjou) for at least 1500 years. When the Plantagenet rulers of the area gained the throne of England in 1154, it sparked an international demand for this local wine, and its popularity continued until the French Revolution. It is a rich tradition that also makes full use of the natural and man-made caves in this area.
Trail Name: Au Coeur du Vignoble
Trail Type: Short distance hiking circuit; mostly hard-packed gravel or paved in built up areas, well maintained and marked.
Length: Total: 11 km, (approximately 7 miles)
Convenient to: Saumur, Loire Valley, France
Continue reading Dampierre’s Au Coeur du Vignoble: Trail in a Nutshell
