We started our journey in Bordeaux, France and now we head to the great wine region of Mosel in Germany!
Germany, more specifically Mosel, is known worldwide in the wine industry for its superb Riesling and is the 3rd largest official wine region in Germany. When it comes to annual wine productions worldwide, Germany ranks in the top 10!
Today we will share a few things about Mosel with you.
- Where is Mosel?
- Mosel’s climate
- The grapes
- Wine events in Germany
- German wine facts
Where is Mosel?
If you follow along the Mosel river upstream from its meeting point with the Rhine River near the town of Koblenz you will come to the southwest border of Germany, France and Luxembourg.
Mosel’s Climate
Mosel’s climate is nothing like what we have here in Australia. Growing, maintaining and picking their grapes is very much a manual labour task as the vineyards grown alongside the Mosel River are on backs of a 70 degree or more gradient making it inaccessible to machinery. These steep slopes are very effective when it comes to facilitating the ripening of the grapes as the vines have optimal exposure to the sun. Being along side a river also provides a northern continental climate and keeps the air quite cool on hot summer days.
The Grape
There are three main grape varieties that are produced along the Mosel river - Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Elbling. These grapes, while having their own distinct personalities, do share a family resemblance when it comes to their pale colour, light and refreshing body as well as their fragrance of spring blossoms.
Mosel Event
Mosel Wine Festival in Bernkastel Kues - April to October
Other German Wine Events
- Almond Blossom festival - March
- Wurstmarkt - september
- German grape harvest festival
- Mainz wine Market
- Frankfurt Rheingau festival
