This ancient wine-producing region acts as a true test to dedication to the vines; it has some of the steepest vineyards in Europe with many angled at 70-degree gradient. Breath-takingly pretty it certainly is, and the inclined, terraced vineyards take commitment from vignerons who are not afraid of hard work or heights! Fruit has to be picked the old-fashioned way – by hand as there is not a machine on earth that could manage these precipitous heights.
Located over 250 kilometers, the twisting and turning Mosel River and its two tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer, carve out 8,744 hectares of vineyards between the Hunsrück and Eifel hills. It covers six districts comprising 19 collective vineyard sites and 500 private plots.
As well as having dizzyingly sheer vineyards, the Mosel Wine Region is regarded as the oldest in Germany. The Romans have left behind presses and other wine artifacts hinting at long and widespread viticultural activity.
Riesling is king here covering 62.2% of wine production and it thrives in the varying sand and clay, grave and limestone soils of the towering vineyards. The valley conditions create warmth, and the steep slopes absorb the day’s intense sunlight to cast it up again to the vines for further heat throughout the night. Indeed, Mosel growers consider themselves the specialists in this varietal – and rightly so. Vine roots dig deep into the earth for water and mineral leading to elegant, fruity Rieslings with good body and low alcohol.
The Mosel, the fifth largest wine region in Germany, also favors Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. The ancient Elbling grape makes wonderful fruit-forward sparkling wine. The Mosel is also famed for its noble sweet wines, some of which come at hefty prices!
With towns like Koblenz, Cochem, Zell, Bernkastel, Piesport and Trier dotted around this region, the Mosel is perfect for wine, spectacular scenery, cuisine and culture. We cannot get enough of it and are delighted to share it with you.