Mosel

Question 1

What are Mosel’s principle & secondary grape varieties?

Answer 1

Principle: Riesling
Secondary: Spätburgunder, Muller-Thurgau

Question 2

What styles of wine are made in Mosel?

Answer 2

Sweet to dry white
Dry red
Sekt

Question 3

What 2 cities bookmark the Mosel wine region?

Answer 3

Trier to the Southwest
Cochem to the Northeast

Question 4

Where does the Mosel river originate? What are its 2 tributaries and what does it ultimately flow into?

Answer 4

The Vosges mountains
The Saar & Ruwer rivers
The Rhine river

Question 5

On what Parallel does the Mosel sit?

Answer 5

50 degrees North!

Question 6

What is the world’s steepest vineyard? At what grade?

Answer 6

Bremmer Calmont, at a 60% grade!

Question 7

What is the climate of the Mosel? What geographical features modify the climate?

Answer 7

Continental with freezing winters and cool summers

Slight protection from the Vosges to the West
& the Eiffels to the North

The Mosel reflects warmth, aiding in ripening along the gradients of the steep slopes

The river valleys & slopes also offer protection from frost & winds

Question 8

What are the common soils of the Mosel?

Answer 8

Sandstone, clay, & famously red & blue Devonian slate

Question 9

Briefly describe the history of Mosel?

Answer 9

100 BC Romans planted first vines of Germany in Mosel
1435 Count Johann IV of Katzenelnbogen first planted Riesling
18th century: Mosel wines became wildly popular and pricey in England
1850s: Chaptalization popularized to increase alcohol in wine and hedge against cold vintages
2007: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer becomes just Mosel

Question 10

What is the Mosel style of riesling?

Answer 10

Light bodied, star-bright, tart, fruity, floral
low alcohol, high acid, balanced with a hint of sweetness

Question 11

What visual indicator of reserve Mosel wines reveals richness & sweetness?

Answer 11

A goldkapsel, which is longer (lange goldkapsel) if extra rich and sweet

Question 12

What is the style of Mosel pinot noir?

Answer 12

light bodied, usually aged in neutral french oak

Question 13

What is the style of Sekt in Mosel?

Answer 13

Can be charmat or traditional, dry or off dry

Question 14

What are the 6 Bereichs of Mosel from SW to NE?

Answer 14

Moseltor
Obermosel
Saar
Ruwertal
Bernkastel
Berg Cochem

Question 15

What are the most important Gemeinden & Einzellagen in Saar?

Answer 15

Wiltengen: Scharzhoffberger
Saarburg: Rausch

Question 16

What are the most important Gemeinden & Einzellagen in Ruwer?

Answer 16

Eitelsbach: Karthäuserhoffberg
Mertesdorf: Abstberg, Harrenberg, Bruderberg