Pistol wine

A regional speciality from the town of Obernai 25 km southwest of Strasbourg in French Alsace (Bas-Rhin). The peculiar name is derived from an allegedly true event. In 1562 Emperor Ferdinand I. (1503-1564) honoured the city with his visit, which offered him its famous wine. The emperor found the crescences quite excellent. Flattered by this praise, the mayor confessed to the emperor that the Obernaiers had even better wine, but that they reserved it for their own consumption. The emperor was indignant about this remark and probably also disappointed that he had not tasted this divine drink. He reacted in a violent manner, but nevertheless tried to preserve the dignity that befits an illustrious majesty. Finally, he presented the mayor with a pistol and ordered him to give it to whoever - if at all possible - was even more impudent than he was. Since then, the wine that the Obernaiers themselves drink is generally called "pistol wine". A wine called "Vin du Pistolet d'Obernai" is also marketed. See also a list of other curious wines under special wines.

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Pistol wine

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