Postcard From France: Alsatian Cousin’s Visit to Vino Strada
Well, I’m not actually an Alsatian. And I’m not (to the best of my knowledge) related to any Alsatians.
That naturally didn’t stop me whatsoever from sampling the wine in Alsace last week while I was in nearby Strasbourg. In fact, in a very un-Alsatian manner I joined a native Strasbourgian (Stras-borg?), a Spaniard, and an Australian and visited the IlVino (Vino Strada) wine bar, located in a converted boat right on the river in downtown Strasbourg.
The French aren’t nearly as snobbish about wine as most Amahr-icahhhns might expect, of course. At Vino Strada, they sit at tables named after famed French wine regions and sample French wine over dishes of French-inspired tapas (smoked meats, cheese, nuts, fruit, cheese, bread, cheese, and cheese). And they don’t really talk about the wine – at least, they didn’t talk about it as much as I wanted to talk about it.
They also snuck some Aussie and Chilean selections in there. But nothing from California (it hasn’t been that long since Bush left office, I’m afraid).
It’s a tiny place with tight quarters, but a very decent selections of wine (I started with Cremant d’Alsace, and worked my way up to some Vendange Tardive Rouge), and if I’d spent more time writing things down instead of talking, drinking, eating, and living, then I might have more to tell you about it all.
So, why am I telling you this? After all, it’s probably some boring-ass reading, right? Guy goes to France; guy goes to wine bar in France; guy has French wine in French wine bar.
So what?!??
Well, I could have whipped out the tasting notebook, taken copious notes, and come back here detailing the anecdotal intricacies of my tastings, and probably going gonzo-style and embellishing fats about my dining partners, sort of like Hunter S. Thompson meets Bruce Chatwin.
But as it stands, I decided to instead follow my own advice, and enjoy the moment, the wine, the company, the food. Might be boring reading for some of you, but for others I’ll bet that a little zen wine action probably can’t hurt.
As it stands, I opted for the living and not the writing, so you’re just going to have to get your butt over to France and check it out for yourself.
If you can stand taking a break from all that California vino, that is.
Cheers!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
So, correct me if I am wrong, but the Wine Bar is actually a floating house boat? If so, that's a very neat location.
Also, it's good advice to heed. On a recent trip I took to New Orleans, my father reminded me to take pictures, but don't take so many that I don't take my own. What he meant was, it's hard to experience the trip for yourself when there's a camera between you and the rest of it. Same as with writing about your experience while still in the moment. Sometimes it's in the reflection of the experience that you can provide the truest description of what happened.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
It is indeed a floating houseboat, with the wine cellar under deck so it's got nice natural protection being underwater, etc.
Your pop sounds like a very wise fellow, by the way!
April 4th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Joe, how cool you got to visit Alsace. I want to hear all about it when you're at the WBC. I agree, it's best just to enjoy and not over-think the wine when you're in a cafe with friends.
April 4th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Well, you might be disappointed.. it wasn't all that fascinating… but I can certainly embellish some tales for you over a glass or 2 at WBC! :)