Mosel

There are fine vineyards along the Saar and the Ruwer, but if we are to look for the greatest sites in this vicinity, and indeed perhaps in all Germany, it is to the steep slopes of the Mosel that we should look. Here a majestic river, rather than the trickling streams that are its tributaries, carves a sweep of vineyards from the slatey rocks. The water, the slate, the precipitous slopes; all contribute to the superlative wines that spring forth from these vineyards.

The Mosel flows for 150 miles, although thanks to its meandering course it covers barely 70 miles, as the crow flies, in doing so. With each twist and turn it fashions new, vertiginous slopes from the rocky riverside. This steep slope is one element of the Mosel success story, the vines perfectly positioned running up the incline to catch every ray of warmth from the sun.