MOSELLE RIVER VALLEY- GERMANY
Wine Vineyard Tours and Castles
The Moselle River (Mosel) in Germany winds and twists its path through one of Europe’s most beautiful valley landscapes from Trier to Koblenz where is joins the mighty Rhine, flowing through a verdant land that has been cultivated by man for 2,000 years, since the tine of the Romans. Trier was the principal city of the Roman Emperor Nero in Germania in the 1st Century, and the Romans knew something about the pleasure of wine. Roman legions were often paid with it, and the terraced vineyards which sculpt the steep slopes are evidence of ancient traditions.
The vineyards of today cover the steep hillsides, with most facing to the south or southwest to catch the sunlight, stretching along the Moselle where it passes the romantic old towns of Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues, as well as the tributary rivers of the Ruwer and the Saar, which wind sharply through the steep hill country, some places passing so close they seem like the same rivers. Nearly half of the vines in the Moselle region grow on slopes of slate soil with inclines of 60%, so that it might seem hard to believe the vintners could manage to grow on land so steep, but this is part of what makes the Rieslings of the region so distinctive. One vineyard of the Calmont is the steepest vineyard in Europe with a 68% grade slope.
Among the vines and hills, the ruins of ancient stone castles stand over the banks of the river, less famous than the Middle-Rhine, but no less romantic and dramatic. Some of the castles can be visited, like the imperial castle at Cochem which sits like a crown above the town (see Cochem Imperial Castle), the Castle of Eltz one of the best preserved and photogenic of German castles which can’t be seen from the river, but a short trek from the shore (see Burg Eltz), or Castle Thurant, curious for its history of the two towers, divided between families (see Castle Thurant), but most are just haunting reminders of a historic past.
Bernkastel-Kues
Whether visiting the Moselle region for a day or weeks long holiday, Bernkastel-Kues is one of the iconic centers of the area with plenty to entertain the senses in the atmosphere of a classic old town with its myriad of wonderful medieval half-timbered houses and a city full of history and culture. Savor the Moselle wines in a tasting sessions at in a former monastery (see Kloster Machern Brewery), take a wine tour of the terraced vineyards, a biking tour of the river roads and lanes, or cruise boat trip on the river. Visit in the Vinothek in the underground vaults of the St. Nikolaus Hospital and check of the famous Doctor Vineyard. A number of festivals are held in town through the seasons, from the “Days of Wine Cellars” held in in spring to the famous “Wine Festival of the Middle Moselle” in September harvest time (see Wine Festivals of Mosel and Rhine), which rivals the beer festivals held elsewhere, and the Christmas Market in December.
Cochem
Cochem is one of the best-known towns of the Moselle Valley, with its easily recognizable symbol the imperial castle perched above the medieval old town of half-timbered houses and narrow, winding streets. But everywhere in the holiday region of Cochem there is something beautiful and fascinating to discover. Whether you're looking for relaxation, culture, nature or an active holiday, you can cycle along the river bank, explore the multi-kilometer Weinbergpfad on foot and enjoy the views of the ruins, castles and river. The region surrounding Cochem provides stunning scenery, with 17 winegrowing villages and four Eifel villages to discover and make a visit special. This section of the river between the steep Calmont vineyard , the ruins of Metternich Castle in Beilstein and the Coraidelstein Burg Ruin in Klotten makes this one of the most picturesque river landscapes in the world.
Traben-Trarbach in the Moselle Valley
This twin city pair is situated on the left and right banks of the Moselle, nestled among the vineyards which encroach right to edges, with architectural gems of the Jugendstil and “Belle Epoque” styles, making for a somewhat different experience than the more medieval towns. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Traben-Trarbach was the second largest wine trade city in Europe after Bordeaux and wealth and prosperity generated by the growth of wine is evidenced by the spurt of building construction in the Art Deco style. From here, the “Traben-Trarbach Riesling Route” offers a trail to discover some of the best vineyards of the varietal wine of the region. © Bargain
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See Also:
RHINE & MOSEL WINE FESTIVALS BY RAIL
RHEINGAU WINE MUSEUM - RÜDESHEIM
