Mosel

The Mosel near Wintricher Geierslay

Riesling has found a spectacular home in the Mosel region: the steep and often terraced hills give the grapes a maximum of sunlight due to the almost perpendicular exposure. Facing south the vineyards are sheltered from the cold north winds and heat from the sun is stored in the dark slate soils. In addition, the steepness easily drains off excessive rainwater. The slate soils have also proven to be uncomfortable for the phylloxera louse. The Mosel region is Europe's largest single area where vines are still growing on their own rootstock. About 55% of the Mosel's vines are still ungrafted.¹

The Mosel river originates as the Moselle in the Vosges mountains of France's Alsace, then, for a brief moment, functions as the border between Luxembourg and Germany, before it finally meets spectacularly steep vineyards in Germany's famous Mosel wine region. At Koblenz it finally flows into the mighty river Rhine, thus ending its wine imbued journey after roughly 550 km (340 miles).

There are 6 districts within the Mosel wine region. Following the flow of the water the Upper Mosel (Obermosel) starts just south of Trier, followed by the Mosel's smallest district, the Moseltor. The districts Saar and Ruwer are named after two tributary rivers of the Mosel. Next is the Middle Mosel (Mittelmosel), with such famous vineyards as Brauneberger Juffer, Wehlener Sonnenuhr or Bernkasteler Doctor. And finally, before it joins the river Rhine near Koblenx it meets the Lower Mosel (Untermosel), in which Europe's steepest vineyard lies, the Bremmer Calmont. This part is also called the Terrassenmosel since most hills here are so steep that vines can only be grown on terraced vineyards.

The Mosel wine region used to be called "Mosel-Saar-Ruwer", but the name was shortened to "Mosel" in 2007. The soils are varied but consist primarily clayish slate and greywacke in the Lower Mosel and slate, slate, slate (grey, blue, red, Devon) in the Middle Mosel.

External Links

http://www.moselwinemerchant.com/mosel.html
http://www.germanwines.de/Wine-Knowledge/Wine-growing-regions/Mosel/