Mosel is one of Germany’s leading winemaking regions, with a longstanding history of quality winemaking. While the terroir poses several challenges, it has not steered the winemakers from producing some of Germany’s top-quality wines.
The Mosel region is named after the famous Mosel river that runs through this region. It is arguably the most famous German wine region, known for producing premium white wines. The area is the third-largest producing area and consists of six districts, including the famous villages of Bernkastel and Piesport.
Of the Mosel’s most distinct features (other than the river) are the steep slopes on which the grapes are grown. Some of the world’s steepest slopes are recorded in this area and make viticulture a significant challenge. The grapes can only be harvested by hand, which plays a significant role in the wines’ price and quality from Mosel.
The other quality contributor is the climate. While the region experiences relatively cool conditions, the river acts as a moderator and traps the sunlight’s warmth. This heat is released back into the vineyards, which allows for sufficient heat and long hang-time. This adds significantly to the ripeness and concentration of the grapes.
The region’s climate is not suited for robust red varieties, like Bordeaux varieties, but allows for the exceptional growth of acidic and fresh white varieties.
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