The Mosel River, from just south of the ancient city of Trier (which was founded by the Romans), north to Koblenz, flows dramatically through the extremely steep and slate covered hills. This area is home to some of Germany’s most renowned wines and vineyards. The wines found in the Mosel River area (as well as from the Mosel’s well known tributaries – the Saar and Ruwer) tend to be pale in color and are described as being richly fragrant, light bodied with a lively, fruity acidity. The slate soils found in this region produce distinctive wines that range from fine-fruity to flinty (or earthy) and often possess a hint of effervescence.
The world famous Rieslings produced in this area tend to come from the steep, south-facing slopes found in particular in the areas around Wiltingen and Scharzhofberg (in the Saar-Ruwer district) and in the Middle Mosel district around Bernkastel, Brauneberg, Graach, Erden, Piesport, Wehlen and Zeltingen. Müller-Thurgau is also often grown in this area as is an ancient grape variety, the Elbling, brought to the area by the Romans.