Language & Culture: French. Literature & Language Essay

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Article: Winemaking and the Politics of Identity in Alsace, 1918-1939
Alsatian wine industry traces its roots to Alsace in France. Alsatian wines denote nostalgia, politics, and history. Alsace is a unique region in France that borders Germany to the north and Switzerland to the south. It lies between the Rhine and the Vosges mountains. Alsace is a crucial region that defines the conflict pitting Germany against France. During Franco-Germany wars, it was Alsace together with Lorraine or ‘Alsace-Lorraine’ that was ceded to Germany. It was regained by France in 1918 after the Treaty of Versailles during the end of World War I, it was ceded again to Germany in 1940 during World War II and return to France in 1945. This paper will discuss and summarize the article, Winemaking, and the Politics of Identity in Alsace, 1918-1939.
The article follows the footpath of another piece called Bulletin of Alsatian and Lorraine Banking, which provides vital details about Alsace-Lorraine about the brewing industry between 1871 and 1918. This period was characterized by the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine and putting it under Germany territory. Now, this article will cover the next period that spans 1918 to 1939; this is the period when Alsace-Lorraine was ceded back to France. The return of Alsace-Lorraine heralded its integration in the cultural, political, and economic dynamics of France. However, the ‘new citizens’ still enjoyed the beer from Bavaria and Baden; this meant that the people in Alsace-Lorraine consumed beer under Germany laws and institutions. The migration to France erased ‘old Germany’ culture, but the beer seemed to retain particular aspects of Germany’s culture. Therefore, beer was not only a drink, but it also reflected broader issues of economy, culture, politics, and identity. The sets of social dimensions that are espoused in alcohol production, trade, and consumption, offers an opportunity to understand geographical and chronological contexts that defined interconnections. The reintegration of Alsace-Lorraine into France brought a subtle clash of socio-political and economic factors between Germany and France, which was masked by beer and wines from Germany and France, respectively. The wine industry is considered ‘French.’; wines provoke a sense of passion and identity amongst the French people.
There was an intersection of cultures as Alsace was annexed back to France. Alsace came under the French government, and this meant that French laws and administrative units were now governing Alsace. Alsace had to align its economic frameworks to fit French systems and markets. The issue of identity was palpable among Alsatian people. It was at this stage that wine became a symbolic item. Political discussions relating to viticulture legislations reflect problems faced by Alsatian wine. The wine industry woes symbolized the Alsace economic huddle during its reintegration in France.
Winemaking is a phenomenon that reflected the Alsatian economy. In 1920, vineyards covered 26 000 hectares of Alsatian land; this was...