Mosel

Mosel – Qualitätsweine b. A.

Mosel QbA extends along the Mosel river and its two tributaries, the rivers Saar and the Ruwer. The region follows the Mosel north until it meets the river Rhein at Koblenz. The upper, middle and lower parts of Mosel have different types of soil.  Riesling is planted in over 50% of the vineyards with the Bernkastel area in the middle of Mosel QbA producing wines with good fruits and rich flavours from the unique slate soil called Schiefer which covers the steep slopes of the riverbanks.  Wines of the region have many different characters; some are fruity, and some are earthy or spicy.  Soil in the upper Mosel is more limestone but the most unique of this region is that over 40% of its vineyards are planted on slopes that have a gradient of over 30 degrees. Working the vineyards is difficult with vines often planted vertically to allow equipment and harvested grapes to be lowered and raised in baskets attached to ropes.