A vineyard in Soultz in the Alsace region. [China Daily]

Late autumn colors mark a change in season in the Alsace region in Eastern France. Its location on the border of Germany and France made the area take on the distinctive features of both cultures, especially in its architecture and gastronomy. As the second-driest spot in France, Alsace is naturally France's capital of white wine. The staple dry Riesling will change your perception of a traditionally sweet Riesling. The most famous La Route des Vins d'Alsace (The Alsace Wine Route) is a pure exploration of more than 100 wine villages that wends its way for about 170 kilometers along the eastern side of the Vosges mountains. Medieval villages in towns such as Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg are also a demonstration of a clever mix of both German and French cultures. In the foothills of the Vosges, you will see the largest number of fortified castles anywhere in France. In Alsace, heritage rhymes with legacy.