Mosel

Mosel

The Mosel region is home to some of the most breathtakingly steep vineyards on Earth and is globally celebrated for producing Riesling of unparalleled delicacy, purity, and age-worthiness. Following the winding path of the Mosel River, this historic region is defined by its slate soils, which impart a distinctive minerality to its wines. Mosel Rieslings are famous for their light body, high acidity, and perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, creating an electric tension on the palate.

Food Pairings with Mosel Wines

Kabinett/Off-Dry Riesling: The perfect match for spicy food (especially Thai and Vietnamese), sushi, pork dishes, or as an aperitif.
Spätlese: Pair with richer dishes like roast chicken, duck, or creamy cheeses.
Auslese/Dessert Wines: Excellent with fruit tarts, blue cheese, or foie gras.
Trocken (Dry) Riesling: A great partner for shellfish, grilled fish, or schnitzel.

Geography & Climate

The Mosel is Germany’s third-largest wine region by production but is arguably its most famous. Vineyards are planted on incredibly steep slopes—some at over a 70-degree gradient—along the Mosel River and its tributaries, the Saar and Ruwer.

This cool, northern continental climate is on the edge of where grapes can ripen. Success is only possible because the river reflects sunlight onto the vines and the dark slate soils absorb and retain heat, helping the Riesling to ripen slowly.

This long, cool growing season allows for the development of intense aromatics while preserving piercing acidity.

History of the Mosel

The Mosel’s winemaking history is among the oldest in Germany, founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago who first planted vines on the region’s steep hillsides. Viticulture was later sustained by monasteries throughout the Middle Ages. The region’s golden age was in the 19th and early 20th centuries when its light, elegant Rieslings commanded prices higher than those of Bordeaux.

After a period focused on quantity, the region has undergone a quality renaissance, with producers returning to the classic, terroir-driven styles that first made the Mosel famous.

Subregions and Appellations

The southernmost part, close to the French border.

The most prestigious section, home to the most famous vineyards and villages like Bernkastel, Piesport, and Wehlen. This is the heartland of classic Mosel Riesling.

The northernmost section, where the vineyards are incredibly steep terraces. The wines here are often powerful and steely.

tributaries are known for producing exceptionally delicate and mineral-driven Rieslings in warmer vintages.

Signature Wine Styles

Red

Riesling: The Mosel is the benchmark for delicate, lower-alcohol Riesling. The wines are categorized by ripeness level (Prädikat system), from driest to sweetest.
Kabinett: The lightest style, typically off-dry with crisp green apple and citrus notes.
Spätlese: "Late harvest," with more concentration and notes of stone fruit like peach and apricot.
Auslese: "Select harvest," made from very ripe bunches, often with some botrytis (noble rot), resulting in a richer, sweeter wine.
Beerenauslese (BA) & Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA): Rare, intensely sweet dessert wines made from botrytis-affected grapes.
Eiswein (Ice Wine): A rare dessert wine made from grapes harvested and pressed while frozen.

White

Trocken (Dry) Wines: While famous for off-dry styles, many producers also make excellent dry (trocken) Rieslings that are intensely mineralic and powerful.

Notable Producers

Egon Müller

A legendary estate from the Saar, whose Scharzhofberger Rieslings (especially TBA) are among the most expensive and sought-after white wines in the world.

Joh. Jos. Prüm

A benchmark producer from the Middle Mosel, famous for its ethereal, long-lived, and perfectly balanced Rieslings.

Markus Molitor

A dynamic producer with extensive vineyard holdings, known for making wines across the full spectrum of styles, indicated by the color of the capsule.

Fritz Haag

A top estate in the heart of the Mosel, known for producing exquisitely pure and elegant Rieslings.

Dr. Loosen

An influential producer who helped to champion the quality and terroir of the Mosel on the international stage.

Fun Facts about the Mosel

The Bremmer Calmont vineyard is one of the steepest in the world, with a gradient of up to 70 degrees.
Many vineyards can only be worked by hand, using individual pulley systems to transport grapes and equipment up the slopes.
The Romans left behind ancient stone wine presses that can still be seen in the region today.
The Mosel is the world's largest region for Riesling.

Quick Facts

Key Grape Varieties

Red Varieties

White Varieties