It is an extraordinary year for our beloved Odenwald wine island and our loyal French friends. We can look back on a proud, historic anniversary, because the deep and official twinning with Saint-Péray has existed since 1966. This connection is quite rightly regarded as one of the oldest in our entire region. For this great occasion we have created an exclusive Saint-Péray anniversary wine that captures the essence of this decades-long friendship in taste. This special drop symbolises the living partnership we have nurtured and developed for generations in the heart of Europe. We have always shared with our French partner town not only a love of wine growing but also a deep historical bond.
A fungus-resistant delight for the twinning
We naturally did not make the responsible choice for this historic drop lightly. A small, highly motivated group from our French section met for an extensive and enjoyable tasting. Seven different, carefully crafted wines, generously provided by dedicated winegrowers from Groß-Umstadt, were in the running. Our shared aim was to find a wine that would worthily represent our deep Franco-German bonds and at the same time build a bridge of taste to a shared future.
The final decision fell on an outstanding Souvignier Gris, which came as a most interesting and joyful surprise to our whole tasting group. The fact that it is a so-called PIWI wine, i.e. a fungus-resistant grape variety, convinced us completely. Such innovative and robust varieties spare our precious environment and fit perfectly with our philosophy of sustainable, forward-looking cooperation in all our partner towns. And so the Saint-Péray anniversary wine was solemnly launched, fitted with a specially designed, unmistakable neck band that underlines its exclusivity on every table.
Franco-German friendship around the Wendelinuspark
Our noble anniversary drop has already passed its first big test with flying colours. At the wonderfully atmospheric Dîner en Bleu Blanc Rouge as well as at the traditional Twinning Festival, the wine was received excellently by the guests. There was immense praise from all sides for its harmonious, fruity note, which fitted perfectly with the festive moments around the Wendelinuspark and our idyllic market square. Such warm encounters show time and again that our town twinnings go far beyond formal treaties on paper and instead create real, tangible emotions in everyday life. The Twinning Committee of the town of Groß-Umstadt is committed with all its strength to nurturing and promoting these international relations.
As a cosmopolitan community, we of course do not look only westwards towards France. The close bond with our friends in Santo Tirso in Portugal and the picturesque Italian municipality of Dicomano enriches our European network immensely. Each of these wonderful partnerships promotes intercultural exchange and builds important bridges between people. If you would like to learn more about European diversity and the history of such alliances, you will find fascinating insights on the official website of the European Union into the importance of cross-border solidarity.
Strengthening international understanding and a humanist worldview
The sale of this extraordinary wine serves a higher, overarching purpose that lies close to our hearts as a community. As a tasteful host gift it is already something very special, but the profit from the sale flows in full into the charitable projects of our twinning. In this way, hand in hand, we fund important projects that put lived international understanding, direct cultural exchange and a clear humanist worldview at the centre. With every sip enjoyed, a small piece of the future for our shared European visions is thus secured and promoted.
When we look back together on the long and eventful history of our association, it always fills us with deep pride and great gratitude. You will find more exciting stories, current travel reports and in-depth information about our work at any time on the home page of the Groß-Umstadt twinning. There we passionately document how lively, warm and diverse our cultural heritage is every day.
Become part of our European family
Have you now developed a real appetite to try this wonderful, history-laden drop or to give it as a unique, meaningful gift to your loved ones? Then don’t hesitate for a moment: get in touch with us directly and secure one of the limited bottles for your home. For further detailed information about purchasing and our many projects, Gisela Schmidgall will be glad to help. You can reach her simply and directly by email at franzstammtisch.gisela@yahoo.com.
You too can actively help keep our international friendships so lively, colourful and fruitful. Raise your glass to the great diversity, the rich culture and above all the wonderful people who make our partner towns across Europe so incredibly special. Have you already secured your bottle for the next festive evening among friends?
Saint-Péray anniversary wine: celebrating 60 years of living friendship without borders!
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