One of the most renowned wine regions in Germany, Mosel expands over almost 8,800 hectares of vineyards. Before being named “Mosel” in 2007, this region also included Saarland and Ruwer, bearing the names of all three regions in its title. The vineyards are situated along the slopes and banks of the winding Mosel River, from its confluence with the Rhine to the borders of Luxembourg and France.
The history of the Mosel wine region goes back to Roman times. The first vineyards in Germany were planted by this ancient civilization at the gates of Trier. A fortified gate still stands here, a relic of Roman architecture meant to protect the entrance to the city. The first traces of viticulture appear in the poetry of Ausone, a Latin poet from the 4th century AD. From the 17th century onward, the Riesling varietal was grown with great popularity. Today, 60% of the vineyards in this region are planted with Riesling.
Germany is one of the northernmost wine regions in the world. The vineyards of the Mosel enjoy a cool continental climate. However, the summer brings warmer temperatures to the protected valleys, which are known to have some of the hottest temperatures in Germany.
The region’s terroir is characterised by shale soils around the Rhine, while the southern areas are characterised by limestone, sandstone and marly soils. Most of the region’s vineyards are also home to slate soils, which drains water down from the steepest plots and protects the vines from excessive heat.
In the vineyards of Mosel, Riesling reigns supreme. The undeniable King of German grape varieties, Riesling occupies 60% of the region's vineyard area. The other emblematic grape variety of the Moselle is Rivaner (Müller-Thurgau), just behind Riesling in terms of plantation and makeup of the wine blends.
90% of Mosel wines are white wines. Rather light in alcohol, they present a fruity character, sometimes even floral fragrances, with a high natural acidity. The 5th largest wine region in Germany behind Rheingau, Pfalz, Baden and Württemberg, Mosel is the source of some of the world’s greatest white wines.
